The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-24
PRICE TWO CENTS.
MRS. MERRILL'S ODDITIES.
SINGULAR DRESSES IND HARSH AND
TIOLEST L1NGU1GE

So Grotcsque Figure that Many stopped
TO Look nt Ier-Ihe Efforts 10 Prove that
she was Not Of sound Disposinr Mind.
When the name Of Elizabeth Mitchell was
called in the Surrogate's 8 Court on Tuesday coll
ored woman about forty-lve years Of age, with
a good-humored expression on her face.
stepped to the witness stand to testify that Mrs.
Caroline Augusta Merrill was not in "A sound
and disposing frame of mind when she be-
queathed the greater part OF the large property
left to her by her husband to Cardinal McClos-
key. The witness regarded this summons in
open court as the grandest Joke Of her lifetime.
She had known Mrs. Merrill about year be-
fore that lady was sick in the Astor House.
Mrs Merrill often visited Mrs. Moses Taylor.
by whom the witness was employed as n SER
want. Mrs Merrill dressed oddly and her
gown was always loopcd up 80 high that the
tops OF her boots could be seem She was a very
fat. heavy old lady, and she said that she did
not want her dresses to drag. When Mrs Mer-
rill was sick the witness went to the Astor
House TO wash for her. and after she returned
from Europe she sent for the witness. who went
to her and washed for her until she died.
Mrs. Merrill had seen many things to interest
and instruct her in Europe, Of which she told
the witness. but her tcnderest recollectons
clustered around Lorenzo. the courier who ac-
cOmpan led her when she WIS travelling on the
continent. My dear Lorenzo" she said TO her
servant. took tull charge oil me. He treated
Mrs Merrill suspected every one Of stealing
her property and accused the chambermaid OF
drinking her wine. Her dress WAS so strange
that the children in the street stirred At her.
She wore cap with deep rullle. and hat
over that-a style Of head-drcss that gave her
an extraordinary appearance. She would never
allow her room to he cleaned md she was very
dsOrderly in her habits. The witness went 10
Snrttoga with her the summer before her death,
aud while there some Catholic sisters called 10
see her, but She refused to see them. She died
William G. Barrett. the next witness. was
cashier in the Sturtrvnnt House when Mrs. Mer-
rili engaged room ther" in the winter OF 1873.
Her dress and her behavior were both singular.
She frequently complained AZ the ofllce that she
was not well treated or properly attended.
When she rang the bell she expected the boy TO
be in her room before he mad time to get of his
chair. She usually went out by the main en-
trance. passing through the hail. and her np-
peNrnncc on such occasions WIS 80 peculiar that
gentlemen sitting ther" stared at her and asked
who she was. The cashier did not like her.
although she had never spoken sharply TO him.
The contestants counsel read the report Of a
mony in OMAHA from Mrs. Jane B. Hawkins.
wife OF Gen. Hawkins Of the United States
army. She said that when she was IN Wash:
lngton in lsGl y few DAYS before the battle OF
Bull Run. Mrs. Merrill called 10 see her. She
poured torrent Of abuse upon Mrs. Clih.
friend OF Mrs. Hawkins and her language was
so violent that she seemed to be insane. Her
rsmarks We're utterly irrational. and nothing
sion upon her. 1t was the funniest visit
| ever received" Mrs. Hawkins said. 4" II was
| like bomhshell. want tO'say that Mrs. Mer-
| rill's conduct on that occasion WIS absolutely
insane 1t was neither decent nor proper in
| gentleman's house"
George r. Putney was the first witness exam-
| ined yesterday. He testified that he was
| cnshier in the Rossmore Hotel in 1878, when
| Mrs. Merrill went there to live. Her habits
were very peculiar. and about every sec
| ond day she sent for him and spoke TO him
| in rambling way upon subjects in whica
he could not be supposed TO tnko the slightess
| interest He never heard her speak ration-
| as she did. She was fond Of driving and went
| down from her room every day intending
| TO 20 out. but II was very dineutto find hack
| man 10 suit her and often. atfer waiting for half
| an hour at the door. she would return to her
| room and refuse 10 20 ont because she could not
| get the driver she wanted.
| Mrs. Emma Fisher. who in 1877 was n cham
| bermad in the Rossmore Hotel. was the only
| witness who could give clear account Of the
| attire ordinarily worn by Mrs. Merrill.
| She wore dress very light. both in
texture, and color, looped up exceedingly
| short behind. and q bright blue sacque
| trimmed with black velvet and adorned with
| large white feather. which. when there was
any wind. WAS blown into nm upright position.
| Under this remarkable headdrrss she always
wore her nightrnp. When the witness re-
moved some dirty towels from her room she
| frightened her with the violence Of her lun-
guHge. She said her room was a disgrace TO
| the chambrrmnid and to the hotel. but she
| would never any one To- clean or tidy II. The
| witness thought hrwus surely ont of her mind
The case will Dee Resumed ON Friday next