The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-31

a LADY ON THE STAND.
OPINIONS OF DIR. SMYrHE r

Miss Victoria Melsncon, was again on the stand.
on Monday, in the Second District Court. under.
going the interrogsrories of the counsel In the
matter of the Introduction of Anthony Fernandez.
The testimony may appear Insignificant in many
instances. but We are assured that it has . bear
ing and will meet with explanation by the rebuilt
ting testimony which will be introduced to-day.
Miss Melancon testified In English, which she
speaks quite as fuently, II not more so. than
French.
AThe course pursued 10 the cross.examination
seemed to be an attempt to impesch the wit.
ness's veraciiy, and the commencement touched
principally upon the terms upon which the wit.
ness resides with Mr.. Fernandez; to which she re-.
piled that II was simply upon the terms OF friend.
ship. Miss Melancon had occasion to object TO
certain questions of the attorney for plaintiff 10
very intelligent way which might have done credit
to q lawyer. Among others she stated that she
thing attached to it. Counsel having asked her what
that thing was. witness readily refused to answer
on the ground that that thing concerned herself
and had nothing to do with the case. Witness also
testified to the good treatment Of Mr.. Fernandez
by Mrs. Fernandez. Witness being asked II she
were white or colored, counsel for Mr.. Fernandez
having objected, the court decided that the ques-
ton was irrelevant, and the objection we'll raised.
Witness also testified to knowing Mr.. William
Fernandez ss Q stranger. and also knew Mr.. Vidal
when he was running for Congress. Witness
| knows John McClelland, but would hardly recog-
nize him should she meet him on the street.
The question was asked whether she knew
Fleurette Gottschalk, and whether Fleurette
Gottschalk was ever married to Edmond Melsn.
con. Witness, addressing the Judge, inquired If
he could not prohibit Mr.. McClelsnd, present in
court, from prompting his lawyer. The court
simply replied that she should answer the ques.
tons propounded by the counsel. The question
was answered affirmatively BY witness, who re-
marked. evidently addressing herself to Mr.. Nc
Clelland: o. consider the question from whence
il comes.n
The testimony of Miss Melsncon being con.
cluded, DR.. Smyther. surgeon in charge Of the
stand. The testimony OF Or. Smyther was to the
effect that, so far ss be could see, Mr.. Fernandez
was perfectly sane. Witness stated that the
memory of Mr.. Fernandez was toerably good on
recent facts. Witness thinks that the memory of
men of rs Is not generally good on recent facts !;
that Mr.. Fernandez can take care Of his property.
Old men, the witness says, generally take care Of
their property; when mems intellect and physi-
cal power begin to fail, they, as rule, take bet
ter care of their property than they have for
Mr.. A. J. Where, deputy clerk Of the Second
District Court, testified that he had taken an aft
davit touching testimoDy--to be taken in Paris-of
the physicians who attended upon him, and that
Mr.. Fernandez seemed to perfectly comprehend
the matter.
Here the testimony for the defense closed. To-
morrow, the taking of rebutting testimony will
begin, and, il " said promises interesting develop
ments.
During the progress Of the case on Monday, the
attorneys conducting the case INDUCED in some
warm discussion, too lengthy to be mentioned
here.
Yesterday, Mr.. Bermudez, of counsel for plain
tit, referring TO q previous motion that Mr.. Fer
nandez be examined at chambers In the court
room, Judge Duvigneaud, on the ground that the
annoyance might be TOO great for Mr.. Fernandez,
ordered that the examination take place at de-.
PENDANTS domicil, at O'Clock P. NJ. rt.e
The result will probably be quite interesting.