New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-12
SOME or Mr. ST0KEgS STRANGE ACTIONS.

The examination in the contest over the
cOdic to the will OF the late James stokes was con.
tnued yesterday before Surrogate Rollins. The 1rst
witness william Scott. for eight years ooachman
in tho testators family and present the coachman Of
Henry Dale the husband Of the contestant lie left Mr.
stokess service in 1880, about year before he died
While he in Mr. Stokess service he in the habt
performing personal services for Mr. Stokes He did
what Mr. Stokes asked him to do He busted and aired
his employers clothes and put them back in their proper
places He frequently at Mr. Stokess order brOughtup
to his room Wines and LIQUORS from the cellar and billiard
room He brought up wine, appleJack and Jamaica rum
lie had heard that 1t Mr. Soess habit to take HE
mornings rum with fresh egg up ait Mr. Stokes
used the appejack for bathing purposes Tho witness
supposed that Mr., stokes drank the port wins Which
was taken to his ROOM he did know that OF his
knowledge. The witness said that when he first womb
into Mr. StOkess service Mr. Stokes looked after his
stables himself and personally bought the feed for tho
horses About year before the witness left Mr. sokess
service william stokes the son. took claese OF tbs
stables About this time Mr.. Stokes gave up
the habit Of walking down tOw1. Mr.. Stokes,
when the witness first knew him, .
strong and healthy man. About year
before the witness left him. Mr. Stokes began fail His
eyes became dm his look haggrd and mis- step feebs
and unsteady. Mr. Stokes had certain span OF horses
which the witness told him II safe to drive WIZ
lam Stokes afterward gave these horses Mr. DE- rho
horses ran away and injured Itself. The cOachma1
WAS also badly hurt One Of the horses was
afterward totally disabled, and Mr. Dale gave
the other back 10 william Stokes. Tho
witness left Mr. stokcss service because be
had had some trouble with Mrs stokeA William stokes
atterward wanted him TO go back sad work usual
but ne refused 10 do 80.
The next witness WAS killan Van Rensselaer,, who
married the niece OF Mrs etoles He said that be had
been IN the habit OF seeing r Stokes two three times
a month during the last ten years of &r stokes's LIFE
Mr. stokes and the witness often walked dOwn tOgn
together Mr. Stokes bright, active, strong anu IN
IA
witness noticed very remarkable change IN MI
stokes when he met him In the street few days befre
the death OF Mrs stokes no seemed to be mere weckj
his gait feeble ana unsteady; his power OF reeOy
milton was gone greatly impaired and he seemed 90
sneak with difficulty. Tne witness placed his hanc On
MIR StOKess shoulder and asked him II he could do any
thing for him. Mr. Stokes made no audible repy; lls
tears rolled down his cheeks. The witness saw ~
stokes at the ater's house again few days afer lae
death OF Mrs Stokes; he In what was called he va
sic-room aud was walking around. The witness wens
up 10 him and put out his hand Mr. stokes dd not ase
his hand and did recognize him. We looked greag
detected and did not reply 10 the witness greeuIs
Tie witness asked him If be had seen an obituary n9ns
Of Mrs stokes in which Mrs stokes was spoken DIN
very beautiful manner Mr. stokes took no notice OF ne
question Mr. Dodge read the notice 20 Mt sOkes ~
fine latter made comment on IL. The witness tnous'
that Mr. stokess CONDUCT indicated rTationalty Ioee
animation will be continued today.