New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-15
MR. STOKES IN HIS FAMILY.


b. HIS HABITS DESCRIBED BY A SERVANT.
FURTHER TESTIMONY IN THE CONTEST OVER THE
coDrcm TO Mr.. sToKEs's WILL HOW Mr..
STOKES ACTED IN THE DINING ROOM AND
ELSEWHERE.
Another hearing was had yesterday before
surrogate Rollins in the the codic to the
will of the late James Stokes. Leopold Smith, former
servant in Mr.. stokess family, called as witness
on the part the contestant Mrs Dora Stokes Dale
daughter OF the testaor He said that he entered Mr..
stokess service in February 1881. He was requested
TO remind Mr. Stokes OF the fact that man was coming
TO rub him. When he did Mr. Stokes seemed fright
ened When the man came Mr.. stokes was frequently
out. Mr.. Stokes nearly every morning left MS nome 10
visit Mrs. Dale. He frequently failed to keep his APP
pointments with his daughters to 60 out TO drive He
seened TO the witness to be very f0rGCtful His
appearance was changeabe. In general he looked
sad sometimes his face looked dull and
sometimes animated. Every day after dinner he took
nap of about an hour He always sleptn chair IN the
library The witness remembered occasions when Mr.
Stokes very much rritated once when the Wit
ness as passing around dish OF chicken MI STOKES
cried out "What are you doing The witness paid
M attention to HIM and Mr. Stokes became angry
that he got up and followed the witness around the table
The witness asked Mr. Stokes TO sit down. promising 10
take the chicken away Mr.. Stokes sat down.
Mr.. Bangs-Did Mr. Stokes anything when he was
following you around the table
The witness-Yes.
Mr. Bangs-What did be say
The witness-I don't know what he said. He
talking about the chicken.
MY Bangs-was the occurrence the subject OF reuar,
at the table by the members Of the family
The witness-NO.
Mr. Bangs-Was it spoken of afterwards
The wltness-Yes, William Stokes spoke to me about
once in bis room.
Mr. Bangs-Did not William say to you in effect that
his fathers condition of mind body such
he was not responsible for what he did and that you
must take no notice oft
Mr. Evarts objected not only the question being
swered but tue question standing on the record The
Surrogate allowed the question to stand but did not al
low it TO be answered.
sisno Mr. Stokes to dress in the morning hr. stokes
had not his services but on the contrary OBJ
jected to them He objected 20 tnem IN The presence Of
William and James. Inc witness, however, continued
10 assist stokes, notwithstanding his objection. He
then related she at Mr.. SOkess table when Miss
STOKES aaSe 70 in Mr. sfokes sid SOMETIME
there was stIHM ~ ~ b;a not bving h., hrb5
Nd I'm that way" He became bOisterOus. When the
family vent 10 Orange the witness heard Mr. Stokes say
thst he did lot want TO 60 away from his
muse In town. He comfortable where he
and he would not 20 away. The family urged Mr.
Stokes tS 20 70 Orange Between February and May
ISL MIR 6tOkcs's gait tho witness said was unsteady
His nerves we're weak If he held anything It shook
He was weak and feeble. His speech slow when
his temper was not aroused Tie never spOke unless
spoken TO. He answered yes or no. ana sometimes he
did not answer at all He never engaged I'm what could
he The witness Thought tnaJ Mr..
stokes's MUD was certainly not bright"
Mr. Bangs-Did You consider NJ stokes's conduct
The %itness~I think his chasing around the table
was not conduct becoming a gentleman.
smith said that Mr.. stokes always became irritated
when persons called to have bills paid. lie told the per
to go away; that he dld not want TO be bothered
have a dread of people coming there in that way.
Mr.. Bangs-Did MI Stokes take any part IN the man
ageInent OF his household
MI Bangs-Did you ever sea him order anythingl
Thp VI ifnpgs-igs.
MIR Bangs-is that all you ever saw Mr. Stokes do in
regard to LIS household affairs
Mr. Bangs-AIr stokes had large house did he not
The witness-Yes very large There We're four
servants in house. and the stables filled with
The witness said he once heard Mr. Stokes tell car
penter work IN the house TO go away and That he did
not want any stranger in the house: The carpenter
continued work after Mr. stokes had ordered him TO
Mr. Bangs-Did you any applo-ack in the
Tne witness Yes in Mr. stokess ROOM Mr. Stokes
used to battle himself vita apple jack He used sponge
and about a gas-ful OF apple jack He also bathtd
Mr stokes, the witness further said shaved himself
up to the Friday before his death. He held family
PRAYER morning and evening every day He offered
pray and read from the Bible The form Of the prayer
WAS always about the same During the day AIR Jokes
usually alone He occupied himself at such times
Stokes stretched upon the floor. il In Orange"
O'Clock as usual found Mr. stokes lying floor
half under the bed lifted him on the bed and thea
,of Mr. Stokes was conscious when | found hm."
THe witness declared that he only discovered Mr.
Stokes's wants b. observation. Mr. Stokes never told
b;, What he wanted Mrs. StOkess name, As far the
mines. knew only mentioned once after her death
~ tho nreseuce OF Mr. stokes Mr. Stokes began 10 weep
and was NOT quoted for a long time Nj stokes once
OF orange said that physicians were lot OF fools and
that fhcir medicines were lot OF stuff. TGe witness
tbought that Mr. Stokes when not acting under the
force ol long habit weak and childish generally de-
Inflated in body and MIND. ,,, .
This finished the direct examination, ana William NJ
Evarfs for prepayment crosseHamincd the witness
gs said that he formerly waiter In the Down
Toyn Club where Mr.. stokes and hls son william used
N dine william offered TO engage him asa servant, but
NJ soEes objected to HIM because he was not married
IL was en- gagged III spite Of Mr.. 5okess OBJECTION ON
M oc,s siSn William ordered the carriage 70 drive down
toWn 10 business. Mr.. Stekes became very angry ana
ioded William that lie (Mr. SOkesl was still living
"a NAT me was not dead yet" Mr.. Stokes always be-
came angry when his sons came late to dinner lie tod
-, thIt when late they should go 10 res
t,ra nj az he did intend 10 keep boarding house
~ d,d NOT Ike TO have anyone read letters OF news
- At the dinner table The witness thought that
Mr stokes acted IN very despoue manner toward
es sS him II he could shave. He said
az 6io nor know although he shaved himself. MI
stoses said: Well dout want You to experiment on
NE Mr. stokes read every morning Tue lHBuAL hh1
ri. Wo,d In Orange he used TO visit Mrs Dae every
day Mr. Stokes cten repeated bis evening prayers sew
eral times - - 4, w.. - n : o,,l for
ufe AND Tor death these frail bodies OF Ours y i
The wltness--I do not remember remember. tnat
Mr. Stokes Ia his prayers always nclhden All ING lhe
hers OF bis family by name. Once, when Mrs Dais "as
sick, Mr. stokes prayed for her very earnestly
The Trial will DO continued to-day