The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-08
(OPlLAND's NO. HER-Ir.LlW.
The Question Of Her Lunaey-What the Cap
tain says About It-S50,Oc9 Involved.

The Question Of Her Lunaey-What the Cap
tain SHys About U-S50,OC9 Involved.
Yesterday afternoon the investigation III the
luuacy case OF Mrs. Holman, OF Ravenswocd, was
commenced before commissioners Covert Robinson
and Eaylis, ana jury OF eighteen men, in Long
Island City. Drin captain Copeland, Of the Me-
tropoLtan police OF this city, married Mrs. Hor-
mans daughter ten years ago. She died
about three years since, leaving him In the
possession OF two children. He has transacted
Mrs hofYman's business for a number OF years,
such as collecting her rents for property in Madison
street. in this CITY, and deposillng her moneys in
bank. The captain has lately entertained the idea
that
MRS. HOFFMAN WAS INSANE.
BE visited her several times to satisfy himself on
this point. He also sent DR.. Bfln OF this city to
visit her. The doctor was examined before the Oom-
mission and JURY last week. His testimony was very
weak as he refused TO swear that Mrs. Hoffman,
was insane, bat do swear that he believed her to
be demenIed. Mrs. Hoffman has a son and daugh-
t-r lv ng with her, and this circumstance Is con-
TO IxpurE UNWORTHY MOTIVES
on tue part OF Captain COPELAND. According TO the
evidence given by the Captain when first examined
she would be aljudged hopeless'y insane. lester-
day Mr. Payne continued the cross-examinaton OF
Mrs. Hormans William TO be at my house July y;
Mr. Hardmans Office in rooms street! had made
hal had about The Old adv Inquired about h.I
anairs: DR.. BlIdln Mrs. Hoffman July II did
not Mrs. Van Alst between the lHh and 18th OF
June; | did not send any was married TO MIS-
Hornans daughter May IL, lssli ! went keeping
house day. in the house in Madison street. New
May ISL never paid any rent mvsclf my wife
died October 8, 1859; when married Mrs. Hoffman
lived at Rayenswood paid the taxes Der property tn
money given for that purposc looked upon Mrs Hen
10 within eighteen months continued collect her rents
up 10 May !, 1871; Mrs, Hoffman told me she
was going 10 New York take charge herself;
was times that they wanted apsrments
first notice three days after wires death
IL was received such notice that cyan TO think
developed the family and had contemplated
taking procee did not know but mght be necessary
10 contest her will; for that reason j watched her
conduct and that OF her daughter; did not do
, this IN the interest of Mrs van Ast's children
did IL in the Interest of my children; saw signs OF
mental incapacty then; my wife buried in Greenwood
Cemetery did not pay for the OF; paid her funeral ex
pensce $500 In the latter OF sep.
tembe 1859 the lot Greenwood enlarged and re-
erected her husband and the deed
gave me Ses 46 Of 1870 received a0) she
gave $3.50 also small amounts at different times
running back Tor ten years; another occasion she
gave $500, and another occasion $zN; do
fence around her house would be material
aOna thought her insane when che asked me 10
vacaie the house, don't think she her right mint
when she gave me this money; thought OF commencing
proccediugs IN lunscy before feared Mrs. Van As wou
| get 5000 from the old woman.
| me properly possessed by Mrs. Van Alst Is wortl
$4,000. There seems something behind the matter
! which, 1t is thought, the old lady VIII explain at tn
mex: meeting