Connecticut western news., 1873-03-28

plorable condition for the last three or four years as to lntoxioation; would not trust my business with him; has seemed to ex. hibit signs of mental imbecility. Inco- herent and foolish in language.
 Jas. s. Woodin. Stiles has been to my blacksmith shop for work always drunk havnt seen him sober in five years. Met him on the street many times; converse tion unintelligible.
 Theo. Dexter. Always known Stiles for past i've years he has been drunk when I saw him, and always foolish.
 M. L.. Graham. Known Stiles from childhood. Always showed his mind was effected. Don't remember seeing him so- Der since'65. and no time competent to trans
 act business. Before his fathers death Stiles was timid, quiet, modest. retiring
 boy, and soon after his fathers death in 1862 ne became suddenly and entirely changed to a rough, rowdyish man.
 N. W. Clark. Found Stiles drunk in
 1867, and has been drunk every time he
 saw him since.
 Geo. B. Burrall. Have never seen Stiles
 when thought him competent to do busi-
 ness. Had not the full possession of his
 mental faculties; always drunk and silly.
 Dr. Benj. Welch. Don't think Stiles
 has been free from trouble since 1868 |;
 brain WAS effected at that time and has
 drank extravagantly since, and he did not grow any better in that respect. ,Drs.
 Knight, Ortoton and myself made post
 mortem examination, and found the prom ipent disease was of the brain and had been
 of long standing, in fact since 1868, at
 time of his long sickness, the disease being
 a softening of the brain; was very decided
 and complete, never saw one more so. The
 duramater was perforated like net work
 decided case of long-standing disease oi
 the brain. When attended him from fal
 of 1868, down to his death, he always
 complained of pain in his head. ; Drs. Knight and Orton were present witt
 Dr. Welch when the post mortem examln } ation was made. and confirmed fully thu statement of Dr. Welch; said it was evi dently disease of the brain of long stand ing; softening and inflammation. Here we believe ends the testimony fo contestant.
 MT. Wm. R. Smith, of Millerton, Mrs Stiles lawyer, who drew the will, offere' 5 himself as & witness and said he was com
 paratively stranger to Stiles; had seel him few times previous 10 drawing will Stiles called on him at his office and wan, ed will drawn asked him to wait till mex day. Stiles called next day and witnes drew the will as per his direction. Stile might have had horn or two when called but when man was drunk he considere' him senseless, but didn't think Stiles Wa t entirely ssnseless.
 l. The above comprises 8 much condensed ; summary of the testimony given at this tri E al, and with no comments as to the justic l sought either by the one side or the other l. we can but exclaim after hearing and writ |. ing the testimony: Oh God! Thou ar the Lord-but what man is this, an 1 what an existence! One continuous, un ceasing drunk of five years duration
 A bruiu that has laid in pickle of alcoho T for five years may make 8 reasonable dis 8 position of his property, and If it can W d are willing that it should. What an obitu |. ary to go out to the world is this we hay been writing:
 Mir. Stiles father left him property 0 8 from $6O. .OOO to $sO, 900 in personal prop : erty, besides real estate. This propert
 has grown beautifully less till it is nov a thought to be not more than $4o,o0o c ' $45,O00. He (Thomas A.) had no chi + dren, and his nearest kin is. the wife c Robt Ball, who has two daughters, to eac of whom (the two daughters) was willie by Stiles $500 and the balance to his wife who, as was given in evidence at the abov court, although not recorded in our min utes, Is confirmed drunkard and has ha
 attacks of delirium tremens.
 Judge Moore's decision in this case wi \ be given to-day (Friday).