The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-03-01
TEsTIMONY AT THE RIGHT THE.

a lew mCnGnSt previously jacob
Ames had died, leaving property to
the amount $500, 900 OF $500, 600 al
of which was readily available.
At first 1t was supposed that the
old mamie was S7-had died
without making 3 viii, and as he
had often been heard to remark that
making 8 viii seemed ike q prspa-
ration for death, and as there could
be no question about the inheri-
lance OF his property, he did not
choose to make any such, TO him,
ghostly testament. His direct and
only legitimate heirs were two or
phans, both girls, children of his on
~ daughter. One Of them was q
cripple, requiring almost the undi-
vided care Of the other, and both
were beloved by all who knew treIn.
While people were feeling glad that
the orphan sisters were TO be thus
grandly provided for, a man nam
ed James Arnold presented q will
for probate, said to be the last viii
several years before. This Arnold
was a nephew-in-law of old Jacob.
the child Of wife's sister, and had
for several years been employed as
business agent and general accoun-
tant OF the deceased; and when he
caused the viii to be presented, he
produced number of witnesses who
declared that they had often heard
old Ames say that he had made the
only will he should make, and that
James Arnold was his only heir;
and what seemed to make the mat
ter sure, two witnesses to the will,
former servants or employees of the
testator, swore point-biank to have
seen Ames place his signature to the
document, aftGE which they signed
their own names, Honest people
shook their heads at this, for these
two witnesses-a man and his wife
were not above suspicion. In
fact, it was generally believed that
a small sum of money would buy
them body and soul
entered the court room late 10
the afternoon of the third day, lust
as the last witness was about to
leave the witness-box, and this Wit
ness was Thomas Cloudman, the
seavant just alluded to. He had
been questioned by a juryman, and
had made a plain statement. Every
thing was against the poor, deserv-
ing orphans, and in favor Of the de-
spised nephew. In fact, no honest
man, under the evidence, could have
brought in a verdict against Ar
nold's claim.
The juryman who had questioned
this witness sat at the end of the
box; and close to him among the
spectators, stood old Harvey Good
rich, who was at that time engaged
in the paper mill of Dap & Lyon,
at Portland. I had known him
years before, when he worked for
Rice, of Newton. The juror held
the will in his hand, open, and
Goodrich cast his eyes upon it. I
saw the old paper-maker start and
tremble.
"Let me look at that q heard
him whisper, for I stood close by.)
The juror, without considering,
handed him the document; and be-
fore the counsel could interpose
and regain it, Goodrich had seen all
he desired, and his first movement,
after relinquishing the viii, was to
hasten to the side of the orphans
attorney, and whisper, hurriedly
and excitedly, in his ear. saw the
attorney, whose name was Shipman,
bend his head attentively, and then
start to his feet. What as it? In
those few brief moments the whole
audience caught the fever of excite
ment, for it was clearly evident that
something important WIS on the
tapis.
''Msy it please your Honor" said
Shipman very quietly-so calmly
and 30 quietly that we feared it
could be nothing of importance af-
ter an-'T must ask the indulgence
of the Court. I wish to present
now an important testimony"
There was slight war of words
between the opposing counsel, after
which, by permission of the Court,
the old paper-maker took the wit
ness box. He gave his name, resi-
dence, occupation, etc., and then
Mr.. Shipman placed the will in his
hands.
''Mr. Goodrich, will you please
examine that document,
"I have done so, sir.,'
"What is the written date of that
will2,'
September fifth, 1871, i" answered
the witness, reading from the in
strument.
"Now, Mr.. Goodrich, will you
please inform the jury, and the
court, if you observe anything else, in
or upon that paper which you hold
in your hand, that would positively
affect the reliability of that date.
Make your own statement, in your
oSn way, only make it concise and
clear"
"Your Honor, and gentleman Of
the jury" commenced the witness,
the piece of paper which I now hold
in my hand was manufactured by
myself and calendered upon q ma
chine of my own invention. The
water lines, In place of ordinary
blue ruling, was included in my inn
provement. You viii also observe,
upon close inspection-though the
ink upon the surface has somewhat
obscured Tiny own stamp in water
marks. Your Honor can examine
it for yourself"
MI.