New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-02-14
TIE COCRTS.
YAGARlES OF A TEsTATOR.

TESTIMONY IL REGARD TO JONATHAN r. WELLss
MENTAL CONDITION
The inquiry into the mental condition OF
Jonathan Tremsine Wells was resumed yesterday be
fore the commissioners appointed by the supreme
Court Kings County. The Rev. Joseph w Lee, rector
Of St. James Church. Bristol Penn. was the first Wit
ness. He testified that he had been acquainted with
Mr. Wells twelve years aud for five years boarded IN
the same house at No. 50 Woodhullsl., Brooklyn Mr.
Wells used 10 come into his aud read the papers,
and the witness had held frequent CONVERSE
lions with him. Mr. Wells's conversation was generally
incoheront aud disconnected he would proceed rom
one subject another without any apparenrfeason lie
was parsimouous, and In his personal appearance nm
tidy. His linen nearly always solled ana nc was
never able to get his collar night At the table he
Iaved a manner that the other Dohrders FELT
outraged his conduct Once lie met with al accceut
when coming Of Ofa Hamilton ferrybOat: his head was
cut aud finger hurt The witness tried 10 persuade
him TO employ a doctcri Mr.. Wells refused but
finally got barber TO prescribe for him.
The witness advised Mr. Wells make a will, and MIR.
Wells told him that he had done and that It was IN
the hands OF some New York lawyers The witness be
evei Mr. Wells TO be unsOund IN mind. and that he had
no capacity to manage mis- affairs. To one OF the COM
mssiOners Mr.. Lee said that he advised Mr. Wells TO
make a will when he did not think that he compe-
tent to do so. Mr.. Wells never drank ANYTHING, and
used opium Of that kind so far us the
witness knew.
Wallace g. johnson, q boOkkceper in the Union Ma
tional Bank testified that he lad known Mr Wells for
twelve years He gave account Of some Of lis bust
transactions and said that he believed him 10 be III
sane. GeorG p. Fitch, secretary Of the Farmers Loan
and Trust Company, stated that he formerly en-
poyed by the firm OF which MI Wells was The leading
MEMBER In recent years lie had noticed great change
IN Mr. Wcs's manner In conversation Mr.. Wells con
founded tho names Of railroads III which he owned
stock.
Mr.. Weiss property on January -, test hrd tLdt
he M Wells for the first time on January
-. On Thursday Ot last week Mr. Wells came 70 MS
Office and asked when Mrs. Van Sm1crrns funeral Was
20 take place. The witness explained 10 him that be
probably referred the funeral OF Mira. T. A. Ward (thc
wife of one OF the commissioners aud MT Wells said
DID Mr.. Wells told The witness mat he owed
COO OF band IN L"ahe County. Miss and also line
tract land in IOnla County, Mich, a. Wei rs some
oil lands III Pennsylvania. lie sad that The oil wells
this property were undermining because he bed not
pad 500 o. taxes thai duo. In Nr "cIs Office NO
III Maldcu-!aue the witness found boSc, inca
with old show goods, four s,ie9, old
desks Sued with old papers memoranda etc. He also
found lot OF old spanish and American goods wrapped
pieces Of paper many packages OF CONS, anH N!sO
loose Mr. Van SlDaeIens inventory OF the estate
showed that 1t amounted 10 $sS6G9O 81 in stocks, etc.
but value. including the real estate. was ABOUT
Harvey T. Murdoch. ono OF the boarders nj No. SO
WOOdhul-st.. testified that last summer MT NcliS TEL
asleep sunday afternoon, and when lie awOkC he ne
hcvCd u Monday morning. He could not hc I'r-
euaded otherwise, and dressed and started Tor MS
place Of business. Al another time he got NJ al
q. m. and started Tor this city. lie sat
sidewise AZ the table, and ate with hir head near the
plate. Formerly, when SIR. Wells carved, the Diner
bOardcrg held tgcir ru5 in front OF tEer faces 20
shield themselves FROM beng syatcrod with the gravy!
The examination VIII be continued to-day.