The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-05-24
MISCELLANY.
DHss-ss4h,A lrsarom,na witt.
Interesting Trial In A Court In Bfaine--The
VIII Sustained.

= DEAFssu4kPA raNTomtMa witt
/ Interesting Trial liz A Court In Maine-The
I VIII Sustained.
Horatio N. Foster, the testator in this
case, was a deaf-mute who could neither
read, write, Except his own name, MOI, use
the deaf and dumb alphabet. He had, how
ever learned to recognize the written names
of all the members of the family. When
the win was made, March Q, 1880, III days
before his death, he was rs years old, and
for three months had been suffering fiom
paralysis of the right arm and leg. He,was
not congenital deaf-mute, but lost his hear
ing when three years old, and, in conse-
quence ofthat, the most ofwhat little speech
he had acquired. He belonged to an intel
lectual family, and was akin to the leading
families of what one of the counsel called
the ancient and aristocratic town of East
Machias." He was a man Of fine physique,
feet high, with head indicative of intel
lect Ideas were communicated to him by
| pantomime and words BY long practice he
had learned to read many words upon the
| lips and face of the party talking to him.
In response, he used initiative signs, and
partially pronounced few words. Most
| of his language was pantonilnic. For in
stance, by the motion of prayer, Con Sun
day or praying day y year, by the imita-
ton of reaping wife, by the arm in a
position to be taken by woman and kiss;
money, by the circular shape of a dollar on
the palm; to distinguish white money, he
touched his white cuff, collar or shirt. One
witness, Warren Huntly, good imitator,
relieved the seriousness of the trial by his
reproduction of Horatio's pantomime of vari-
GUS animals, such as bear, fox, pig, &c.
His fox was veritable Reynard- nose,
and long bushy tail Horatio's skill in farm
ing to plan and work, was far above the
average. In mechanical work he was a
genius. Carpentry, gun-work, .cohbling,
wagon-work, repairing clocks, manufactrir-
ing churns, tubs, sleds, &C., in all these his
skill was wonderful. In invention many of
his ideas would have been patentable As
man he seemed to have all the moral and
religious ideas common to men, Once,
wishing to make paddock of his perfectly
safe, he took out the post and then bored
out the key to correspond; then, fearing
some one might discover the secret of the
key, he put shoulder on the post, inside
the lock, invisible and almost whatsoever
able. Was tool wanted he made it. Planes
of all kinds, carpenters tools, bits, augurs,
&C., were exhibited, some of them of perfect
workmanship. He made every part, emitting
tools and all. ehhaA els=a Ahat 6
In the making of the will six Witnesses,
including his brother Andrew, DIR. johnson,
of East Machias, and DIR. Hunter, of Machias,
were present. A copy of his sisters will,
from whom he inherited his property of
$1,000, and package of bonds, used as a
symbol of the property, were laid ON the
table. Pointing to the will and the bonds
Dr. johnson made an imitation of writing,
and with questioning look asked him if
he should write his Willie had learned by
long practice 70 read upon the lips. many
words. He nodded assent. Then DIR. John
fss bSa itHtsa id eehthx 4aaptsaf tt fig
"When you are dead and buried what do
want done with all your money 2" The
words "when, va dead" ''buried, "what,"
''all," aud money" he could without doubt
read from the lips. He replied, moving his
lips to shy "baby," his sign for his brother
Jacob, pointing to the door out of which he
had gone and described q half-circle on top
of his head, his sign for his brothers. wife,
who wore braid in that manner, pointing
to the door out of which she had gone, and
making cutting motion across his arm
TO indicate division into equal parts Then
a young lady, who readily communicated
with him, repeated DR.. Johnson's question.
He replied as before, emitting the pointing
to the doors. Then she placed the photo.
graphs of his brother and wife with the sign
of division. DIR. johnson again asked him.
He took the two photographs, placed them
aside from the others, with the sign of d.
vision. His bearing was thoughtful, and
serious, and intelligent, his eyes keenly fixed
on the party communicating with him. The
company, explained to the mute by signs
previously used, and to this he nodded his
head. He was asked to make his mark,
when he took up the pen, and, to the sur
prise of all, signed capital H.
The Courthouse Yves crowded during the
trial, Mr.. Heath closed his address to the
jury as follows:
g There lying in the cleaning, in the twi-
light ofiife and day, bis eyes heavy with death
he drank in its shadow as they traced ita
spirit lines upon the wall. For 80 Summers
to him wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend,
cen her shadow the dumb man loved. She
came, ministering angel with the roses of
love. He turned his weary head his love-
lit eyes frightened, then saddened Clasp
ing her hand with affection, raising his arm
toward heaven, with upturned eyes, tears
coursing down the burrows of his time-worn
cheek, the silent man babe her meet him in
the great hereafter. Down into the valley
of death he went a Christian, a gentleman,
man. He died happy in the thought that
Margaret by his loving viii, would be
Shielded in the autumn Of her life. Living,
he loved her; stricken, he willed her half
of all he had, that her youth Of poverty
might be an old age of ease dying, he
blessed her, May your verdict. record his
dying wish IN imperishable letters upon the
records of this court"
The jury went out an hour, and returned
with verdict sustaining the will, upon the
issues of capacity, intention, and undue in
fuence raised by the Defence - Co,7sspond-
ence Of the Bangor Wig.
NECESSITY OF WORK.