Connecticut western news., 1873-03-28
The ssAlos Will Case.

NAiuity OI lnlb VIII lS COutcSNeu Oy WA' Robt. Ball, of this village, in the interest of his wife. A sister of Mir. Stiles. The matter Came before s. B. Moore, esq, Judge of Probate for the district of Salisbury, last week "Wednesday, 18th instant, anG large number of witnesses were examined, occu pyiug in time Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, and the counsel summed up Friday. Much interest was manifested in this trial, as tue court room was constantly full, or nearly so ; number of ladies being among the spectators. The counsel for the contestant, Ball, consisted of Messrs Warner of this village. Sheldon of Millerton, Graves of Litchfield. For will were Messrs. Seymour, of Litchfeld Smith, of Miller ton, and Hsrdenburg of Canaan. To give the full testimony of the many witnesses would occupy 90 much space in THE NEWS that we should have little or no room for anything else, and as 6 consequence we cannot give more than the pith of the statements of each, and even this must necessarily be condensed.
 Henry A. Cook, of Millerton, was the first witness called. Mir. 0. was the first subscribing witness to the will. and testified that he saw no indication of MT. Stiles be- ing intoxicated, and thought him at the time of a sound and disposing mind, and saw him sign the will but on cross exam ination admitted that he might have had two drinks. Mir. Hiram Tripp, of Chapin- vile, was the next subscribing witness, sand said he saw MT. 8. sign the will, and he 6. ) declared it in his presence to be has last will and testament. Could not tell whe.h- CT he had been drinking or not, but didn't remember of ever seeing him sober but once before or after he signed the will.
 The following witnesses were presented | by the contestant:
 Martin Decker, of Salisbury. Have known Stiles since he was boy. For the last five years have no: considered him ca pable of transacting business; was gener ally under the influence of liquor, ideai disconnected, one moment would talk about one thing and the next about some thing else. Worked for him some and saw him would neglect his farming, allow hi grass to dry up, &c. &c.
 Augustus Wilbur, of Millerton. In fal or lo6S saw 5. HI c~iisSusv., set asuzak ane went home; D. s. Capp, Mason and sel went there; he had an axe and stood at th, window; swore he would kill us; he hat delireum tremsns and was very violent drove his mother out of doors and swore h. would kill the whole pack of us. Nevs saw him sober in my life. Saw him a Millerton in Feb, 1870, at Wheeler's Ho tel; tended bar there part of the time Stiles wife came with him. Both wer drunk all the time they were there, ant should say he was in no condition for do ing business at any time while he was there It was understood that he made his will a that time. Carried him and wife home ant he was partially drunk. judged he hat delirium tremens.
 Michael Rowe, of Millerton. Tended ba when Stiles came to Millerton to make hi will. He was drunk all the time; dit not sec him sober; tried to buy the hotel 1 Geo. E. Crane. Saw Stiles in Millertol in 1872, when it was reported he was mak ing his will. Whenever saw him he wa intoxicated and not competent to do busi ness.
 Gilbert Smith. Worked his farm iron 4th of April, 1870. Seldom saw Stiles so her; would change rapidly from one sub ject to another; thought many times h. had not perfect control of his limbs. On time he broke a window and acted O though he had the tremens; looked an, acted like a crazy man. Transacted littl or no business; had an auction but gave n attention to it.
 David Boomer. Lived next neighbor t Stiles. On Thanksgiving evening, 1868, met his mother in the street, who said ''For Gods sake help me my son is tryin to kill me-" She was driven out of door with nothing but waterproof and nightca on; night was stormy; his mother wa sick at the time; he was nearly alway drunk for last few years; did not use hi limbs properly aud acted as though he ha imperfect control of tn em always take foolishly. l Wm. D. Reid. Live opposite stilel house. Know something of his threats t kill everybody Thanksgiving night; trie to pacify him, but he was crazy; drum most of the time for the past i've years would talk incoherently had no feeling i bis finger ends. He told mo he would Ii in bed week at time; one time Ia in bed three or four weeks drinking gal Ions highwines, and took no food durin the time. Havn't seen him sober in thre years, and did not think him competent t do business.
 John Scutt, Millerton. Saw Stiles whe he talked of buying hotel; supposed was intoxicated; saw him several time about Millerton aud he was always intox cated and not capable of transacting bus ness. Sold him some blows one time an he paid for them.
 Orrin Wakeman, Millerton. Never say Stiles in Millerton when be was sober, c when fit to do business.
 Jas. Bird. Hsvn't seen him sober in, or years, and not competent to do any thing but drink whiskey.
 Horace Landon, Chapinville. Alway known Stiles; saw him frequently at Mil erton, Chapinyille and other places; take and acted foolishly should say not coH petent to do business of any importance Made bargain for wood and he wouldn stand to agreement. Didn't seem to knov what he was about.
 l Andrew J. Bowles (for the wilD. Wa called upon to witness the will; whe Stiles came for me to witness the will was drunk and so was he. Didn't thinl myself fit man to sign will, but he urg