In the annals of peculiar history, few tales rival the bizarre legacy of Charles Vance Millar, a Toronto lawyer whose final jest was a contest of epic proportions. When Millar died on October 31, 1926, he left behind a will that transformed Toronto into the stage of a decade-long maternity marathon. The challenge? To award the bulk of his estate to the Toronto mother who birthed the most children in the ten years following his death.

Millar, known for his penchant for practical jokes, crafted this unusual clause with the precision of a maestro orchestrating a symphony of chaos. The Supreme Court of Canada validated the stipulation, and thus began the "Great Stork Derby," capturing public fascination and sparking debates across the nation.

By the time the curtain fell in 1936, the estate had ballooned to a staggering $568,106, thanks in part to Millar's shrewd investments. Four women, each having delivered nine children, shared the main prize, pocketing around $110,000 each. However, their windfall came with a bittersweet twist—three of them were required to repay relief funds previously received from the city.

The Derby wasn't without its controversies. Two other women, Lillian Kenny and Pauline Mae Clarke, found themselves disqualified but received $12,500 each to settle legal disputes, avoiding further courtroom drama.

This peculiar chapter in Toronto's history was more than just a curiosity; it was a reflection of societal attitudes towards reproduction, gender, and class during the Depression era. Millar's legacy, a testament to the unpredictability of human nature, remains a quirky footnote in the cultural tapestry of Canada.

As the dust settled on this extraordinary contest, one thing was clear: Charles Vance Millar's final prank was a resounding success, leaving behind a tale as rich and unpredictable as life itself.