The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-04
THE GATES WILL CASE.

Housekecper's Observation-Disclosures Among
the Scrvants--A Corporation Withdrnws
from the Contest-The Case Again Ad.
j0urncd.
The somewhat prolonged legal discussion brought
about by the disputed testament OF Carlton Gates,
deceased, was resumed before Surrogate J. w.
Mills at White Palms. Westchester county, yester-
day.
Counsel for the legatees called Miss Cornelia Pal
mer to The witness stand she having been engaged
In the capacity Of housekeeper for the testator q
short time prior to his decease. The testimony or
this witness went to show that. having obtained
the position OF housekeeper mainly through letter
OF introduction from DR.. Hurlbut TO the deceased,
she found arriving at the house OF the latter that
the domestic duties OF the establishment devolved
upon his aunt, cousin and one servant About two
weeks subsequent to her being installed as house.
keeper by and for DR.. Carleton Gates his
mother arrived and made matters 80 disagreeabe
that the witness was about leaving until induced by
the deceased to remain; during her stay as house
keeper Ia period Of about two monIhs the witness
engaged four female domest1cs, each OF whom in
turn renamed but short time In the Gates house.
hold, their reason for not wishing to stay being
because Mrs. Gates refused to give them enough to
eat; and so sharp were the pangs Of hunger IN one
instance that the CIR! left after brief service of
forty-eght hours; 1t was the expressed wish
OF DR.. Gates tina: witness should retain the
continue in his service herself but his mother inter
fered with and insulted her SO that she could not
consent TO reman while DIR. Gates did not wish his
mother to take any part IN his household affairs lie
was always solicitous for her saIcty during her
absence, and when at home the servants were en-
joined In the matter OF attending TO her wants;
nothing was seen by the witness during her stay at
the house OF DR.. Gates that would lead her to
poet that his mind was IN any manner all cted;
when the witness left no servants remained at
the house except boy. On her cross-ex animation
by counsel for the contestants the witness testified
to seeing the deceased once under the influence OF
LIQUOR and also at times heard hin use profane Ian
guage to his mother on occasions when the latter
thwarted him or 1nterfered with his comfort. The
witness stated that Mrs. Gates did not treat her son
afrectonatey, and In numerous instances caused
him unnecessary inconvenience; and further, on
account OF her age and feeble condition. she did not
believe that Mrs. Gates was capable OF managing the
household concerns Of the deceased.
The crossexamination OF William Romer was con-
tfnued on the part OF the contestants. and in an
swer to question: stated as his reason for not
bodyng In the VIII that clause named In the sched-
ule, drawn by him, regarding $4,000 in STOCKS
which the restator said should be transferred to his
mother that the schedule was not properly attested
and he considered Its mention by the testator in the
schedule as being sufficient for the executors to act
Is legal ADVISER TO the corporation OF Yonkersl,
produced and read resolution adopted by the
trustees OF that village fnStruc.lng him, as counsel,
not TO appear IN the present suit behalf Of the
village, which, 1t will be recollected was bequeathed
large amount Of property by the testator.
After 1t had been proved by clerk In an employ
ment Office; IN Fourth avenue, New York. that Mrs.
between December l. 1868, ana tine following April,
the absence OF important witnesses for the legatees
caused further adjournment Of the case until Tues
day, December IA.