The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-09-26
A STRANGE MARRIAGE,
sneh a Nuptinl Ceremony Rs the World Prob.
ably Never saw Before.

Judge Myrick, Of San Francisco, has
denied the application to admit to pro.
bate the will of Hepsabeth Harrigan, an
old and intemperate woman who was
married to a young and active man, and
who bequeathed all her property to him,
and died. The judge, in his decision,
tells the whole story as follows:
Samuel Fisher, former husband Of
Hepsabeth, died at Stockton in April,
1874. In the latter part of that year she
removed to San Francisco. In 1875 she
purchased the residence at 412 Jones
street, where she resided until her death.
In May, 1876, she first met Mr.. Harri-
gan. Prior to that she had met two or
three men nearly of her own age. brt
from the time she and Harrigan became
acquainted he was the stbiect of her
thought and consideration, and marriage
to him was her prevailing wish. She
and Harrigan met at the houses of
mutual acquaintance, and passed eve-
nings engaged in social amusements,
such as card playing and the like, and
then he became constant visitor at the
house. Her health was failing, and she
had turns of physical and mental pros
tration.
In November, 1876, she became en-
gagged to marry Harrigan. About that
time she was unable to leave the house,
and was thereafter mostly confined to
her bed. 1t was arranged between them
that their marriage should occur at
Christmas, 1876; but, she being sick in
bed, it was postponed. On the eleventh
day of January, 1877, the marriage cere-
mony was performed between them.
That afternoon, accompanied by her
nurse and friend, she rode to the office
OF the Safe Deposit Company, being boil
stored up with pillows and taking stimu-
lants during the ride. She gave direc-
tions that her funds and property in the
vaults of the company should be subject
to access by Mr.. Harrigan. After re-
turning home, she tried on a wedding
dress which had been made for her, and
i'll the evening was dressed and aided
down stairs to the parlor, and was assist
ed to stand while the ceremony was pro-
ceeding. The clergyman officiating
thought that the circumstances were pe-
culiar, but as number of reputable
people were present he did not deem it
necessary for him to institute special in
quiries. She sat in the parlor in an easy
chair during the evening, receiving stim-
ulants from her nurse.
Two days after that the will in ques-
tion was made. Prior to the marriage
ceremony she had sent for an attorney
Tuho-hSd fo,,,,an,,lrr +,.a ,,ra pLa1 L,,n;,> orr
reference to will, and he prepared the
will in question, and was present at its
execution. Two physicians were also
present, and subscribed the will as wit
nesses. One physician was called in to
examine her as to soundness OF mind.
His interview did not exceed thirty
minutes, but he declared her of sound
mind. Another, physician, who had be-
fore attended upon her, did not upon the
trial express a decided opinion upon
that subject, but on the evening of the
execution of the will, after leaving the
house, did declare that he had that eve
ming witnessed the execution of will,
and that the woman who made it was no
more fit to make will than boy of
four years. The attorney read the will
to her, section by section, and asked her
if that was her wish, to which she as
sented. She seemed, to the persons
present, to understand the business in
hand, although she was very ill and
weak. The will was executed and at
tested in due form.
"The story of her remaining days is
soon told. She failed rapidly. On Feb.
26, 1877, DR.. Ingersoll was called. He
found her in an imbecile condition. On
March 10 her mind was entirely gone.
She was then weak and sick, helpless
and senseless, in which condition she
fingered until the fifth of April, and then
the end. During the lifetime of Fisher,
at least for some time, she (Mrs.
Fisher had been addicted to dink,
which caused restlessness, loss of sleep,
and frequent walking at night. After
his death she drank more, and during
the past year or two of her life she
drank on an average gallon of whisky q
week.
Several months before her death she
craved constantly for liquor. Her
physicians warned her that death would
ensue unless she would cease the use oi
alcohol, but without effect. The demi-
john had to be hid from her, and the
liquor dealt out to her in smaller quanti-
ties. She would have it, and tumblel
of it was placed on her table on retiring
for night use. She was sixty-three
years old, he forty-six; she wealthy, he
impecunious she weak in mind and
failing in health, he strong and vigorous
he knowing she could live only short
time, that she was drinking herself tc
death; that thoughts Of love or associa-
tions we're absurd; he took her for hel
money"
Under this decision the husband vii
take one-half the property, provided hii