American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-11-21
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Cipper.J
WAsHIEGrON, Nov. 90, 1916

WAsHRGToN, Nov. 20, 1916.
The Fan Ness Case. On the assembling 0
the court this morning Mr.. George Mattngh
was examined. He testified that he knew
where the plaintiff lived-saw General Var
Ness's carriage before the house frequently
the visits continued while witness lived in the
neighboThood.
Mr. Farar, who keeps Il bowling saloon on
Missouri avenue, testified that he had seen
Gen. Van Ness 20 to Mrs. Cunner's (the plain
TN 81 boarding houso-the last time in the Fe-
bruary before he died. and ON foot, not in his
carnage, as Oh previous occasions.
Mr.. Murray was recalled, and, having ex-
amined the letters which had been brought I'D
from the Orphans Court, gave his opinion that
some OF the signatures were genuine, and that
he would, IN the course of business, (bcing a
director OF bank) have taken notes with sg-
natures Ike these; but, On the cross-examina-
ton, sad, not without having examined the
hlIng up, 1t there was any doubt
Mr. Coke, tor the defendant, objected TO the
letters going to the jury, because two of the
witnesses mad declared their opinions that they
were not genuine, and another confirming his
knowledge alone to the signature
MI. Brent said, as in the case of the deed
the signature covers the whole.
Debate ensued, at the termination of which,
The court, Tor reasons given, said that the let
tiers might be read TO the jury, and they were
read accordingly. Some of them were signed
yours, truly affectionate," "yours, as ever, :"
your afectonate husband" &c, telling her
that he Gen. Van Ness) would marry her,
speaking about their child, giving her house
and lots, telling her not to be unhappy, sc.
MI Becker testified that eight years ago,
when lie drove a hack, he carried the lady
I Mrs. Van Ness) to the house of the General.
where she renamed about twenty minutes.
Messfs. J. t. Towers and Geo. Collard, and
Mrs. Williams, deposed that they had seen
Cen Van Ness frequently go TO the house of
Mrs Conner (he pantiff,)
General Jones testified that, in the absence
OF extTlnsc circumstances, he would believe
that letter shown him was in the handwriting
of Gen. Van Ness.
Two letters were read, dated September and
October l645, directed TO Mrs. Cor..~. at Green
Valley Depot, Va, and signed "your hus-
band, "your ahectionate husband" etc., in
one of which J. P. Van Ness expressed hope
that "tho little heir was WE'LL" and sending
money.
Col. w. Brent, the clerk of the court, under
oath, stated his belief that receipt shown him
was in the handwriting of Gen. Van Ness.
Mr.. McNameo was examined as to hand
writing, and gave his opinion that letters shown
to him were written by Gen. Van Ness. He
did not always write the same hand, as he knew
gentlemen who could net at all times tell the
handwriting Of the General, until looking at
the signature. (Being a clerk of the court, he
brought from his room copy of a deed, writ
ten by Gen. Van Ness, in which the first line
showed that the letter had been omitted, as
establishing characteristic of the General
Miss Cyrena Conner, daughter of the plain
TIN, testified that she went to Philadelphia with
her. mother, and first stopped at Mrs. Crimms,
but az they recognized at the table several ac-
quantances, AID as Gen. Van Ness wished the
marriage to be kept secret they went to Mrs
Mouldet's. This was on a Monday, and they
stayed there until Thursday, the 9th Of August
Saw Gen. Van Ness coming towards the
house while she was standing at the door, and
said "General, how are you2n Her mother
then came to the door and said chow do you
dog" They then went into the pallor togeth-
er, and had long conversation. Witness
went into the parlur, and remarked to Gen.
Van Ness, 81 shall be ready tomorrow morn
ing to see you and ma married" He replied
mo, Cyrena, your ma and can be married as
well without as wi you'll shall remain but q
short time, and want the company of your
mother lone, stay at home, and make yourself
cononted =" Saw Gen Van Ness alight at the
door, and ring the bel-her mother got uto
the carriage, and with Gen. Van Ness drove
OIL This was in the morning paid no atten-
ton to the hour. When tho csrriage returned,
her mother entered the house, and Gen. Van
Ness dreve off This was on the 9th of Aug,
They expected Gen. Van Ness in the evening.
lie did not come, but her mother received a
note from him.
The court at ten minutes to four O'Clock ad-
lourned until Tomorrow at ten O'Clock. G.