Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-08

Causes a Hilarious Scene in "a
Contested VIII Case.

the most distinctive II not dlstn'
guished known to many, appeared
either in court before a jury or as oil
end man on the minstrelsy stage, wa
witness ia the Circuit Court, judge
Pierce on the bench, near noon of Sat
urday last.
The case, which has been on trial
for several days past before a jury, is
that ofMollieW elch and others against
Woods. The latter's wife, formerly
Ann WEIGH, suicided under peculiar
circumstances about two years ago, al
her residence in the southwest OF
Fort Pickering section Of the city,
The deceased was found 10 her room
with a gun or pistol lying at her side,
one barrel Of the weapon empty and
life had been extinct Tor several hours,
the wound in her body indicating that
she had herself fred the fatal shot,
The news of the tragedy spread quickly
after the lifeless body was discovered,
and X is reported that the husband,
while on a street car, heard that a
woman had killed herself, and in re-
ply he said; III bet it's my wife. I"
lie went home and found that it really
was.
Some time previous to her death
Mrs. Woods made will bequeathing
all Of her possessions to her husband.
The sister and other relatives contest
the validity Of the will on the ground
that Mrs. Woods was mind wrecked
and that undue influences were exer-
oised upon her to secure the disposal
of the property in accordance with
the provisions Of the instrument
which bears her signature. The
amount involved is about $1,000. In
the Chancery Court at a previous ex-
animation the will was declared in
valid.
The witness alluded to above was
Calvin Watkins, cOlored. Cal is a.
preacher anda metal house roofer by
turns. BE went to court Saturday in
his roofing costume, not having time,
doubtless, to put on the garments he
wears when exhorting his brethren to
Righteousness. Gale appearance is
Of the venerable orieR and his
beard is rather grizzly. When he
shambled up to the witness seat he
looked as if he was fresh from cot
ton patch. As he mopped his stately
brow and settled down for business
the people present we're ignorant Of
the fact that Hehness was close ahead.
To put it down as Cal SAID it would
make the burlesaue orator in Haver.
ly's band tear his eyes and wig with
envy. lie stated, however, that he
was going down the street one day and
met Mrs. Ana Woods and she looked
like she was crazy. II don't have
nothing to do with crazy people, -
said Cal, so az soon as seed her
comm l took cross dc street" Use
seen de oman at times going along al
alone and talking as hard as she
could, as if she was arguing Scripture
with somebody, an dere was no sou
in sight. | seed her going about aftel
she had been sick with three broonl
in her hand sweeping round and pre-
tending to sweep things away from
near her head. | don't be-
lieye much in haunts, but onct
when twas dark, it felt sorter
warm bout de head, and den dc hal
begin to rise and rise and wanted l.
go way from dere. Twas just like
some ones arm was flying up an dowr
close by, an some Of 'em said it wa
sperits, but | don't believe much il
EN-, though"
The foregoing is merely sample O.
Oalyin'f testimony. 1t lasted Ions
enough to have a hilarious effect upoT
the jury, and even the dignihed Judge
was unable TO suppress several smiles
1t was apparent to all present thatCal,
vim believes the mental equilibrium Of
the late Mrs. Woods badly out Of bal
ance. When the attorneys finished with
Watkins the court adjourned for din,
ner, the witness left, and the apeota-
tors, the jury. and even Deputy Sheriff
Mason laughed outright.