New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-27
THE COURTS.
MR.. sTOKESs HABITS.
Testimony OF DIR. WILLIAM IL. DRAPER-WHAT HE
s..,- ~. III, craRrs,s

TESTIMONY OF DIX. WILLIAM H. Dhh' In "iiN' 49,
SAID TO MR.. sTOKES'S SONS.
Another hearing was had yesterday, before
Surrogate Rollins in the contest over the codic to the
will ~ the late James Stokes The examination OF Dr.
william H. Draper. which begun some time ago, but
which was interrupted, was resumed. Dr. Draper sau
that Mr. Stokes had tendency to indulge In drink ana
that he 1.-THE wtness had given advice with reference 10
IT, He was asked whether he received any Information
on the subject from any member OF Mr. stokess family
The question was objected TO and overrued
o.-Was your attention attracted by any odor in Mr.
stoyes's rooml Ayes; by the OdOr of rum always
noticed this odor whenever was in Mr. stokess ROOM
Odd you speak with Mr. stokes's in regard to
their fathers habit Of using rumi Ayes with al OF
them; sometimes separately aud sometimes with all Of
them together
Dr. Draper asked to give his best recollection and
impression Of what he said the in regard 10 MI
stokess OF stimulants. He told them, he REPLIED
that their father nurng himself by the use OF sum
uants that something must be done to stop 1t or else
the consequences would be disastrous He had two In
terviews at his Office with Arson. james and Wilam III
which he impressed upon them distinctly the necessity
Of great care and caution keeping their father from
indu ging the Of stimuans. In frequent suDse-
quent conversations he insisted upon the danger 10 MI
Stokes from the OF liquor, and made suggestions as
to the way in which the habit could be changed or con-
trolcd.
Q.-what were Mr.. sokess personal habits as to
c.eanlinessl A-Tbey not nice.
Odd Mr. Stokes ever speak to you Of his wife's
making her Wilt Ayes 1 found Mrs Stokes one
day much worse than she had been the day before
told him Of this and he said the was that she a
William
Q.~What ia your opinion OF Mr. stokes's ability TO
transact during the three or four months prlot
to his going TO Orange in 1881 Any opinion is that
he was not competent TO transact business: -, I'll,
Q-What Il your opinion OF MS aDiny 10 hlaAe VIII
This question was excluded. On examination
IN Ilratf g4f1 he
Mrs stokes IN the autumn oI l@SO ne hal coNoisa
ton with Mr.. Stokes June %, 1881, at orange
Mr.. Stokes said his sons were very anxious tial ne
should 20 Newport hut that he did not wish to CO. lie
iet very weak and thought he better OH "hrie nc
reason why he Mr stoAes) should do Otherwise thah
he wished, and that IL would be better Tor nun 10 re-
main Orange II he preferred to do So Dr. Draper sad
he had never cOnycrsed with Mr. stokes on any SUBJECT
his attn the he ain oi the mem
Ders OF ms fanny, anu dhu ~ u ill., did nor Eoow
Mr. StOkcss cyesght or hearing or Me sense Oh
death When treating Mr stokes nc Was tYiu on
seventy or eigh years ola ne had 3upPoscu
that Mr. Stokes eighty He had seen MI STOKES
walking in the street His gait was unsteady anu ieeo;o
and ms Steps slow and short he was alro Deh III
walking. Mr. Stokes had told him that mis- Knee was
weak and gave HIM trouble IN walking especlly ~
going down stairs In regard TO MI otokess personal
hab.ts which nad been described "a not ." nice, Or
Drgpr said that Mr.. ntOkess clothes were carele7sy
put on and seemed to have been worn much Longer
than they ought to nave been His Inca also was ho
too neat StOkess hands always rcmbed unless they
were supported, even wnen he was not using htI. -,
Odd you know that Mr. stokes was IN the habit OF
shaving himself every day AM stokes tod me that
Do YOU know that this habit continued up to
wlinin two days of his death A 60 not. s..,..o
Dr. Draper said he always no iced IN Mr.. Stokes a
twchlng the muscles about the lnOuth MS atloul
ton was always indIsunct lie nal notqeu AZ times Ill
him a than usually vacant expression OF cuuhlc
nance, ndistlDcnrss OF articulation, ana more uI
seadincss In his walk IIe attributed THESE symptoms
to excessive use OF simuan,s, aud determined to
speak Mr.. stokes on tnls subject lie was unable
To state tne prcular circumsAnces OF any o these oc
The examination was adjourned until MONDAY