The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-14
JONATHAN WELLS IN COURT.
The Rev. Mr.. Lee. OpIniou-An Inventory Of
Mr.. Weiss Wealth.

Jonathan Tremaine Wells the rich straw
goods merchant OF Maiden lane. whose cousins
are trying to prove that he is insane and in
capable OF caring for his largo fortune. wan
dcrcd about the courts in the Kings County
Court House yesterday morning asking in n
pitiiul way whore the proceedings concerning
himself were in progress. The Commissioners
In Lunacy. Lawyer Frederic A. Ward Mr.. c. A.
Townsend. and Mr.. Daniel Ayrcs continued
tho inquiry at o'clock In the afternoon. Mr..
George Sibley. second cousin OF the defendant.
continued to conduct the case in behalf Of Sam
uel ID. Clapp. another second cousin, who
figures rs tho petitioner in the proceedings.
and a new firm Of lawyers gave their notice Of
appearance for two first cousins OF Mr.. Wells.
Mr.. William Y. Taft of this city and Mrs Mary
c. Bachelor OF this city
The Rev. Jos. W. Lee. rector OF st. Jamess
Episcopal Church In Bristol. Pa. testified that
in his opinion Mr.. Wells had been Of unsound
mind for some years.
Geo. =. Fitch. Secretary OF the Farmers Loan
and Trust Company. whore he has been en-
ployed for forty years. having before that been
employed by Wells 4 Miles. the firm Of which
the defendant was then n member. testified that
there has been very great ,chqngein Mr.. Wells
In the last few years Mr.. Wells didn't socm 20
understand what was meant when anything
was said to him.
Mr. Adrian Van slnderen. the receiver Of Mr..
Wclls's estate. said that he appeared unwil-
lingly rs witness. He was appointed receiver
OF Mr.. Nells's estate on Jan. q last and he saw
Mr., Wells for the FIRST timo on Jan. %. at III
Maiden lane. He asked Mr.. Wells for the keys
ofhis safe. Mr.. Wells handed him three large
safe keys, retaining one in IL hand, which no
said was the key to his private safe. told
him" said the witness " that had filed heavy
bonds. and that would take good care OF any
property that came into my hands. He said
that he thought would. | went TO- his office,
on which had previously placed padlncks, and
] opened the safes In his presence. Mr.. Wells
was confused in his answers about his affairs.
and gave the names Of different persons as his
A week ago to-day he came to my ofIlce and
asked when the funeral 81 Mrs. VAN Slnderen
would take place told him that he must be
mistaken in the name, and said that he must
refer 10 Mr.. f. A. Ward. He said that he did.
and l said the ceremony had already takrn
place. lie said that he was sorry because he
wanted o. 20 Co the funeral but that there must
be some further exercises AT the grave, which he
would attend. questioned him about MS land.
and he said he had 600 neres in l"et County,
Miss. and a large tract OF nne timber and farm
land iu Iona County. Mich. He said that he had
some oil lands in pennsylVa on which there
were rich oil wells but the wells had not pro-
| IA 'ed anything Tor six months, because the
| taxes. which amounted 10 $40. had not been
| paid but ~ soon ~ he could gct the money and
| send 1t to the Sheriff the wells would flow once
" His oflice was perfect medley Of all sorts
| Of things principally boxes filled with old
straw goods There were four sales old desk
| Uttered up with files OF old papers, menorands
without number stove and scuttle. ana news
| papers ~ the year 1882 !"
| At this point Mr.. Wells entered. He wa,
udily dressed and seemed to BE- rs rational ~
| any Of the aged spectators He looked arounl
| upon bis cousins. his female friends arrayeC
| lawyers. ana then sat down. When the exami
| nation took an amusing turn he laughed an'
| seemed to enjoy the humor.
Mr.. Van Sindercn submitted his inventory o
| which shows r..