Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-10-20

III IlnC.
Arrangements for the Bi-Centennial
celebration in Chester on Monday. the
23d instant, have baen completed and arc
on an elaborate scale. The exercises will
consist of the representation of the land
ing of Pena OIL the actual spot where Penn
landed two hundred years ago, public
meeting in the morning, . grand civic,
military aud Industrial parade in tho
afternoon, and magnificent pyrOtechnic
display in the evening.
The city council of Philadelphia has
voted s25, 900 for Bi Centennial purposes.
TaE wipuws raIkD.
An Interesting Decision by the Supreme
=. g.. Court. .'.I SGD. 5..l
In an opinion just filed in the supreme
court, by Justice Turnkey, some interest
| ing law is laid down concerning the right
| of widow who marries again to partici-
pate I'd the estate of her deaeased husband. {.
Henry Venus, s5!,re wsbury, Y Ork county.
was witower with six children, and
pretty we'll advanced in years, when, in
1878, he married EupEemia Webb, a
maiden lady of about tOlty-fiv summers.
Venus ha1 accumulated some estate, and
| it was said that the newly made wife was
| about as we'll off as himself. They lived
together uutil the 23d OF August, 1879,
when Venus died. His six children had
never taken kindly 10 their stepmother.
| aud had objected to the marriage before it
took place. Whether they were afraid
that she would take big slice OF their
fathers estate. Or whether they were
angry that the marriage ahOuld have Oc.
cnrrcd only three months after the death
Of their mother, is disputed question.
However, after Venus death the widow
! made application for $500 exemption il
money, besides claiming an exclusive one
third of the estate. Venus having died
intestate. The children contested the
claims of their step mother, and the
matter went before IN auditor, who was
subsequently sustained by the York
county court. The children claimed be-
fore the auditor that an aute-nuptial con-
| tract had beeu made between the decedeIt
and his widow by which it was agreed
that in case OF the death of either the
other was not to participate in any de-
gree in such lecsdent's estate, which was
| to go to the legal heirs of the latter. This
| agreement was denied by the widow, who,
in the meantime. had married 4 Mr.. Hunt.
! The auditor held that the ante-nuptial
contract had beei. made out by the testi-
! mOry prrriuacd, and he therefore diStribu
led the balance OF Venus estate among the
| children of the latter in cqlt! shares.
| It was also held that the widow had for
feite6 her claim for $500 exemption by de-
manding IN aney when she was. only en-
titled to articles of personal estate belODs-
ing to the decedent, there being no money,
| and also, that having remarked she was
| not i widow OF tho, ,decGLienS within the
! apirie and meaning OF the act Of April,
! 1851 Justice Trunkey, in his opinion,
| agrees with tho auditor and tho lower
court in their findings relative to tic
widows claim Tor $500 under the act OF
| April ii, 1921. As to tho ante nuptial
contract, however, the justice holds that
| clear and convincing proof Of such con
tract should be shown. As tho children
were the supporters of the supposed con-
tract, it was their duty to prove it by more
than slightly prepondecating testimony.
| The Judgment of tho lower court upon
this point was, therefore, reversed, and
one-third OF tho estate awarded to Mrs.
Hunt.
| Fifteen Years IL Blank.
| In February, 1881, a nan named Walte!
Philorooks Was picked up by the st. Louis
police, and, being unable to give an &C
count of himself, lie was sent to the st.
Louis insane asylum. He could give 10
account of anything; THAT had taken place
since 1867, bus was familiar with events
that had occurred prior 10 that time. Tic
had been a soldier III tho Confederate army
from Alabama, aud had resided near
Mobile. Being educated and accomplished
lie soon enlisted the sympathy OF several
! I1, Ia6 n I
antecedents. IL was discovered that iu
1867 he left Mobile and sailed for Havre.
He was supposed to have returned to the
United States, but little information was
obtained concerning him. When hC left
Mobile he had sister residing near that
city. 1t was discovered that she now
lived in New York, and d correspondence
took place between her and the au
thoriiics. By careful attention on
the part of the physicians at the
asylum, after :. years treatment Phil
brooks mind was considered re-
stored. The vel! of fifteen years was
gradually lifted. Being impressed with
his abilities, the health commissioner gave
him situation as Gookkcepcr in one OF
the institutions, which position he held
for six months. Il was then discovered
that he had great liking for good intox
icants. He was found intoxicated on scv.
eral occasions, and as length was relieved
of his position. At that time there was
no symptoms of insanity about him. Sub
sequentIy he was discovered in an inc.
briated condition, aud few days. ago was
sent to the city hospital to he treated fol
alcoholism. After the effects Of alcohol
ism had been removed it vas discovered
that he no longer recognized any ono about
the hospital. When asked where he wa.
he replied that ho was . at his hotel il
Havre awaiting Tor ship to take him tc
London" It was discovered that he had
no recollection or knowledge Of anything
that had taken place since 1867, and was
virtually in the same condition as he wa,
when sent to tho asylum in February,
1881. Philbrooks, it is said. was one 81
tho soldiers who guarded the Confederate
treasure on its way south after the sur
render of Richmond.
FATAL CASUALTIES.
| Death In Various Unnatura; FORMS.
| Joseph Hardy, a painter, &c years Old
I -oc killed vaoforr1ov ynorSiny nv fall nC