The New York herald., 1879-02-01

after Intellectual searchngs in his vest and coat, he
and over. and then looking up said to Mr..
Swan, There's two more somewhere I think
/ must have missed them. That's too bad. All!
we'll guess this will do Good day. all IN see
you again tomorrow." And of he went followed by
the careful scrutiny of scores Of neighbors to whom
the whms and caprices and oddities OF the old man
miserly are as well known as the spire OF Trinity
Church.
WHAT THE COUNSEL SAY.
EARLY yesterday morning Mr.. Wells called by ap-
pointment at the offices of Messrs Crosby Kent to
consult to the to be pursued in his extraor
binary case The old man was in q cheerful, happy
mood and heartily enjoyed the jokes passed about
the anxious cousins and the hordes of relatives
disclosing themselves. After he had gone Counsellor
Kent was asked by HERALD representative
If he had concluded what to do. 'Yes"
replied he. .in great measure we have. Think the
Court had the powerthat is 1t lay in its discretion
under the adavits before it, to appoint receiver in
Mr.. Wells case. SO far as the Court was informed
Mr. Wells had relatives in New York, so there
no to notify"
"But he has relatives?"
.Where?'
"Here, residing in New York.
'Did Sibley know of it -
"Weu, Pm don't know what Mr.. Sibley
knew. 1t is immaterial. The fact is the relatives
here. We shall not attempt TO remove the
cever but 60 at once to the main issue. Mr. Wells
and his counsel will appear before the commission
Wednesday next. don't think much time will be
needed to show whether Mr.. Wells is competent or
not"
There is no truth in the report that visitors are
denied adnittance when they call, is there?'
81 don't know. know they can't keep me from
seeing him. He calls here regularly. and thus far
has borne the imp6ations with characteristic calm
ness"
the Court granted receiver
You can find them on file in the clerks Office.
I'd prefer you would see them there"
''You will certainly be ready to go on on Wednes-
day r.
WHAT TELLER SMITH SAYS.
The publicity given this extraordinary by the
HERALD has attracted universal attention to the
q Ws Legal we'll on @ e1 Rre
cia circles in this city and generally
known in Brooklyn that the people of both
cities anxious to understand on what grounds
and for what reason the Court permitted to be
thus summarily dspossesscd OF every dollar he had
in the world, and to be literally turned into the
street. locked out from the Office Of which he is pay
ing the rent he has paid it tor more than forty
years. After considerable difficulty the papers were
obtained and digest Of the more important ones
are herewith given.
In the affidavit Of Mr. A. N Smith, the paying teller
of the Union National Bank. he says that he has
known Mr. Wells great many years and that he is
depositor in his bank; that during the past
eight months he has at times been more or less at
fected by alienation of mind, rendering him unfit
for the time being to have the government of him
SELF or the management OF his affairs; that
the best of his judgment and belief he
has been for the whole OF eight months of unsound
mind ana % aaaerstana9g IN M NV Ws na,n says tsat the
person; that he has ample resources and is
puted to be the owner OF a very large amount OF
tions, and that until within the last eight months he
has always been most CAREFUL prompt and intelligent
in his transactions with the bank keeping his drafts
by checks always within his cash balances, but that
the time named he has, in various ways and by
his language and actions in reference to his bank af
fairs with dep0nent by overdrafts OF his accounts
under circumstances clearly indicating alteration of
mind and understanding, and excused or explained
by him by impossible and unreaso nable statements,
con vinced him that Mr.. Wells is now of unsound
mind and understanding, and unfit for the govern
ment OF himself and the management of his affairs.
Gvt.tth DO tot hath vhn NJ
Sbley second cousin and lawyer in the case and Mr..
Capp, second cousin and petitioner, also reside. He
says he has noticed many things that convinced him
that Mr. Wells would be better off if his affairs were
managed for him by honest and expert men,
WHAT SECRETARY FITCH SAYS
Considerable stress is laid by the prosecution on
the affidavit OF Mr. Fitch. who has been long and ia
vorsbly known in the business community the
secretary of the Farmers Loan and Trust Company.
Mr. Fitch has known Mr.. Wells for than thirty
years. and considers himself his friend, as
,rsne ws ass'SF sss Mr. Mss s Is Affected ghes Sg
alteration OF mind. and is unfit to care himself
and his property. He says that Mr. Wells has for
suting him about his affairs and that for six months
past he has considered him of unsound mind and
garded him as an insane person. He instances
idend check drawn by the New York. New
Haven and Hartford Railroad Company in
which he holds stock and asking il it good for
anything. He further says that he has often tried
impress on Mr.. Wells mind the difference between the
principal and interest coupons of the bonds held by
him of the Evansville. Terre Hauc and Chicago Rail-
road Company. but that the language aud actions of
Mr. Wells invariably those of person of unsound
mind although hitherto he had regarded him as q
person of unusual care and intelligence in financial
matters having large interests railroads and other
discretion and good judgment Mr. Fitch relates also
that Mr. Wells has large property in real estate and
personally. He considers himself indorsed in this
Judgment by all connected with the Trust Company
and swears in his affidavit.
REMARKABLE STATEMENT OF COUSIN GEORGE
In view of tho fact that cousins. second cousins
Nd deyelODnN
and country 40 that the leaves of the Nalanbrosa
Vale numerically naught to them the affidavit
tention. According to Mr.. Wells. who talked with
rogush twinkes in his eyes, there Tafts enough
cession, none of whom were notified to appear whcn
Mr. Van Sindcrin was appointed receiver OF their be-
loved cousins estate.
In his affidavit Mr.. Sbley rcgretfully remarks, but
his language is plain that he has known MIR. Wells
for than ten years past ir. Wells, IL will be
remembered. is seventy nine years old and cousin
George Sibley appears to be fifty at least SO that the
intimacy must have begun rather late in lifc), and
that he George) is "relative OF said Wells being
the son of deceased cousin of said Wells
viz, Mary Augusta, daughter of DIR. Richard Wells,
which DIR. Richard Wells was brother of Cornelius
Wells father of said j. r. Well" " that Mr.. Wells has
never been married and has relatives living
akin than his lGeorge's) mother was, and that Mr..
Wells iaged seventy nine) has no father mother.
brother sister, uncles auns, and relatives of
his own blood except the descendants of his uncle
and his aunt. Mr.. Sibley then goes on TO say that
his second cousin Wells is GENERALLY reputed to be
man of wealth, owning real estate in New York and
elsewhere and stocks bonds and other securities of
large amount and value aud has an Office ostensiby
for the transaction OF business At No. III Maiden
lane"
Considering that Mr.. Wells has been "ostensibiy"
transacting business No. III Maiden lane for up
ward of forty years. Mr.. Sibleys affidavit In regarded
with peculiar interest by both the old and his
But after all. the story OF Mr. Wells home
told by his landlady. Miss Ruckel, Will be read
with most interest.
THE EccEsTRrc.
Miss Sophia Ruckcs is venerable lady OF Woodruff
street BROOKLYN. and consideration, has kindly
afforded MIR. Wells home in her boarding house for
nearly u quarter of century. In her sworn story
Miss Kuckels says that during the many years Mr..
Wells has been inmate of her family she has, III
great measure from motives of friendship, taken
charge OF him and his household eiiecs and ward
robe, aud that by reason Of her intimate
relations through 40 many years she knows his
habits, language, manners and acts and that she has
for very many years known of his family affairs ana
that ho has relatives nearer than first cousins
Miss Ruckels estimates MIR. Wells property at
300 900. but the receiver has already found about
$2o5 900 and more returns 10 be heard fron. While
the teller thinks Mr.. Wells has been insane eight
months and the secretary puts u at sx months.