The New York herald., 1879-09-23
THE O'HARA WILL CONTEST


EFFORT OF TIE GRANDpAUoHTERs OF DE
| CEASED TO BREAK THE wILL--sTRANoI
STATEMENTS UNDER OATH.
The examination OF witnesses in the matter of
the contested will of the widow of Peter O'Hara.
Mrs. Mary o'Hara. was resumed in the Sur
roeate's Court. Kings county. before Surrogate
Daley. yesterday. The will is being con-
tested by Misses Mary Augusta and Catherine
who were left but $4,000 each by their mater
nal relative. though she died possessed of
an estate said to be worth about $S0.000 They
alege that the old lady subjected to undue in.
auence. inasmuch as she gave the residuary of her
estate. arter making few bequests to certain be-
nevolent institutions to her trustees to be disposed
of by the latter in accordance with instructions
given them. Her expressed wishes were. it is al
legged. that the money should be used in defraying
the expenses of the education Of certain young
for the Catholic priesthood.
Martin Cook. who was the first witness examined.
and who had been acquainted with Mrs. O'Hara
for eight years. testified that he had heard the de-
ceased say she thought Augusta had money enough
to keep her rs long she lived, il she only took
of it; she always spoke aAectionately of Miss
Augusta. who to live with her. Witness
Father Mcguire come into the room on
one occaaion. where Mrs. O'Hara was, and
take of his coat and light cigar
the reverend gentleman spoke to her about some
charitable object he wanted her to contribute to,
but the old lady said she too poor. In speaking
of the chime OF bells she had given to St. Paul
Church. she said the sound OF the bells turned all
the ale and porter in the saloons in the vicinity
of the church sour; the owners OF the drinking
places. she said. had been obliged to complain OF
the sound to the Mayor.
A TRIP ROME.
MISS Katie Monaghan. grand niece Of the de-
ceased testified that she went with AIRS OHara to
Ron In md raj w lerin n Nav
Father O'Hara, Of Syracuse, and Bishop Lynch OF
Charleston. accompanied them; deceased (witness
penses in Rome; the trip cost her $4,000;
the old lady Was IN the habit OF drinking
loaned bishop Lynch $4,000 at Father O'Hara's
request; told witness If anything should happen to
Father O'Hara they would be LETT without a cent;
her to 90 to the bank and see what could be done
about III she SAID she would not have made the trip
but for Father o Hara's influence over her; Father
OHara had promised to show her all the pleasure
he could. but when they got to Rome
to become doctor Of divinity one morning he
said that he sorry he had not brought OF his
neces 10 Rome and when ne went ont & OF sne room
the way am paying his" Witness heard her say
she paid SIS day for Father AIaguires board at Sar
Mag ure at Simonson's HOTEL ut Woodhaven. Witness
related incident in which her late grandeur went
out driving and returned under the influence of
LIQUOR which article she took with her in bottle;
Father Mcguire had told her that il he was worth
any money he would not leave any TO his relatives;
in 1872 Mrs. O'Hara told witness she had provided
for her her will and she would leave her $50 00O
she repeated this story in 1874 and in 1877
requested the witness to remember that
she was well provided for in the will; heard her
| say she had given Father Maguire $4,000 for
masses; she said she would leave the house
| and plate to Catherine. and she would provide
well for AuguGta; heard her Gussie never told
an untruth; that she better than some OF those
| Catholics deceased took the key out Of witness
door, that witness could not lock tho angels out;
niece died in the house. and the old lady said that
| the night the child died she heard "Banshee" cry
| ing; III 1877 Mrs OHara said to witness that Judge
McCue was honorable man, and would fix her Will
that there would be no fuss fighting about 1t
alter she was dead; that Father Mcguire had charge
OF her keys and papers; that Judge McCue said she
could not leave all her money to charity, but could
give verbal instruction and he would fix it, aud she
not to worry about it, she said she would leave
the house and silver to Catherine and would provide
for Gusse that although Gussie had lost her money
1t was not her fault. as she was simple, innocent
| girl
The examination Of witnesses will be resumed on
| neyt