The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-04-07

his sugar camp; went up to him and asked him
obout it didn't answer at first, but said after
awhile he had concluded not to rent it."
Lysander Landphere says: "Cramer for
merly lived in Ohio. When he left there he
was joval and lively; but in Michigan you
could hardly get word out OF him. He ap-
peared stupefied. He acted to me as IL he felt
down hearted. Sometimes he appeared to take
notice, then not to take notice. In 1867 he
didn't appear to be OF sound mind. He was
not, / think, capable Of exercising ordinary
judgment, same as he did before. He met
mother, an old friend and acquaintance whom
he had not seen for ten years, at the cars, aud
all he said was, how do you do Sometimes
he appeared to take notice, and then not.
think one reason why he did not take notice
was that it was difficult for him to talk.
think that had great influence over him. "
Another witness, Mr.. Place, says that he ap-
peared downcast as il ashamed OF his personal
appearance. Other witnesses mention the
same thing, and Charles Hazelton says most
people seemed afraid to talk with him for fear
of hurting his feelings. MIR. Landphere further
says g. had some conversation with Roilin
about giving deed to Steadman and getting
life lease back RollIn flew mad about 1t,
ripped and tore and went out of the house. "
On cross examination he says: sat the time
| was talking with my mother at the cars Rol-
lin stood by listening and hearing just what he
would have questioned about probably. at
Ashleys he got mad because he thought they
would get his property away from him."
John Johnston says: "He (Cramer) said he
thought he should have guardian appointed
over HIM. lie stated he had hfe lease from
Steadman and that Steadman had it. think
his disease wore upon him. On cross examn-
alton he says "I should think man unable
to do business would know enough to want a
guardian appointed"
affected, but that :" Rolin got grouty at me
and no had no particular conversation for FIVE
or SIX years, and 1 know nothing OF Rollins
business transactions"
Ernest B says he thinks the disease af-
fected his mind, that Rollin wanted to kill him
because he cut down line tree. lie wanted
to kill me because he thought the tree was his,
and l thought it was mlne. Rollin was mad /;
any man in his senses would not act that way.
Also saw Cramer try to serve cow with a
stag, but the stag had been the neighborhood
bull six weeks before, and he had no converse
ton with the deceased about it, nor was near
enough to talk with him at the time
Albert Platt svys the family, father, broth
els and sisters had the disease from which
Dexter and William were made idiotic. l was
not much acquainted with Rollin-I thought
he was not OF sonnd mind-he did not get as
bad as the others. On cross examination says
l didn't talk with HIM enough to judge the
state of his mind. This disease seemed TO
affect his tongue.
Richard Bennett husband of the contestant,
Clara A. Bennett, says II thought Rolhn
was incapable of taking care Of his property,
from the fact OF his making foolish trades and
getting mad quick"
DR.. Bltely says that he was in the Probate
Office at the time the examination was being
had on the petition to appoint guardian Tor
Cramer, and that he observed him then and
says y should have been a BILE to have judg-
ed positively if had heard Cramer talk. lie
didn't convey to me the impression that he un-
derstood anything that was going on. 1t was
rather idlotic. Jndging from his appearance
and the impression made on me, L concluded
that he might have manifested more intelh-
gence some future time.
All Of the foregoing witnesses testified gen.
orally to the mental incapaclty or Cramer. In
answer TO the general question TO that oaocs.
DR.. Haskins on the other hand says that he
had known Cramer and his family for thirteen
years and had practiced medicine In the family
been called as q medical attendant OF differ
ent members OF it quite frequentlyoapd fur
ther says: In March, 1869, 1 saw Cramer at
his house. Had a conversation with him then.
Went In his room and talked with him and his
mother. lie was afflicted with chorea. Ills
conversation was rational and to the mark
One reason L went in to talk with him was.
that had heard he had been adjuged lunatc
and went in to satisfy my own mind on the
point OF his lunacy il it existed, The opinion
came to was, that the man was as sane as
when first knew HIM thirteen years ago.
Physically there had been a change in him.
From my acquaintance with him | should not
call him an educated man, but man having
ordinasy fair business mind capable OF COM
pretending ordinary business affairs. The
disease fected and debilitated the body, but
not necessarily the mind.
Drs. Woodman and Keables were also sworn,
but they only answered to hypothetical ques-
tons and, the general effect chorea had npon
the mind OF the patient.
On the part Of the proponents much rebuff
ting evidence was offered, but In abstractlng it
L shall confne myself to that bearing upon
Cramer's mental condition in the fore part Of
1867-that being the time OF the appointment
of the guardian and Of making the will
In addition to DR.. Haskins' testimony, al
ready noted the doctor said 81 think in 1867
he was capable of dong his own business un-
Polly Cramer SAYS GO am the mother Of the
deceased; In 1867 his mind was sound. He
said he didn't want guardian appointed; want
cd to manage his own affairs. l didn't notice
that the disease had made any difference in the
strength OF his mind
Eli Nc AIlister says. :: He was we'll acquant-
ed with Cramer. Saw him frequently at his
house and at nay house. Had conversations
with HIM. sold him land in 1861 He dealt
sharp sbrewdly. l never saw in my business
with him ANYTHING silly. 1 think In 1868 he
had an intelligent comprehension OF business
Mr.. Harris "knew him well-talked with him
or saw him as often as once in two weeks in
1S67-the latter part worked with him chop
ped think from my conversation and ac-
duaIntance with him that he was capable OF un-
derstanding business AFFAIRS"
f. e. Shiver " knew him well; logged with
him in 1867; talked with him; made log heaps;
Cramcr had good judgment about building log
heaps remember Cramer stating the kind OF
timber in dispute between me and Mr.. Boyd
and he stated it right. This was in the spring
of 1867, after the guardian was appointed. l
never noticed IN him in my conversations and
business with him. any wanderings OF mind
L think In May. 1867, he was capable Of doing
business, ordinary business, aud had in the
of his affairs an intelligent COM
an Industrious man, saving, etc.
j. M. Fisk, merchant at Lawrence, knew
Cramer; he had traded much with HIM; tho't
him competent in 1857 to manage his own af-
fairs; was exact prior thereto in his dealings;
thinks his last dealings were in March OF April,
1867.
L. W. Goodenough, also merchant at Law
renee in 1867, says Cramer traded with HIM;
thought hum competent to deal and transact
business traded with him in the the summer
Of 1867 was accurate in making change; did
not wander in his talk; did not converse much.
M i Shaffer kuaw Cramer we'll: met with