New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-01
TEsTIFYING TO MIR. SToKEsS RA7YoyALrTY

SALEM H. WALES, Ex-MkYOR wICKHAM AND CON-
MISSIONER LANDER GIVE THEIR IMPRESSIONS
OF HIM.
The case of the contestant of the will of
the late James Stokes closed last week and the
first witnesses for e proponents put on the sts nd
yesterday. Park Commissioner Salem H. Wales testi-
fled that he bad known Mr. Stokes, the decedent and
members OF his family since 1884, hat after January
1879, he more of him than formerly. Mr. Stokes
appeared be robust and his erect carriage strik
ing. In May 1881. Mr. Wales met him In front OF his
house. and stopped and spoke with him. expressing SYM
patty with Mr. Stokes for the loss Of bis wife. Mr..
Wales also Mr. Stokes many times at his Office No
AS Walst. On later visits he noticed that Mr. Stokes
had lost flesh and physically feeble and that he
sorey troubled ABOUT the death OF his wife But he con-
tnued to carry himself and the witness
noticed failure Irregularities OF mind In his conduct
or conversations. He gave Ineligible answers to all
questions There indication OF the increasing
weight OF years In talking about his wifes death. Mr.
sokess conversation subdued but he shed tears.
Ex-Mayor william ii. wickham the second wit
ness His acquaintance with Mr Stokes was of twenty
years standing. He had frequently met him In tho
Manhattan Club, at the Madison square church. In tho
street and socially. Mr. Stokes Was Democrat and
contributed to the party funds used for campaign pur-
poses The witness frequently him In reference TO
political in 1876. but he met him most frequently
regular in his attendance at church. Mr. Wickham
repeated conversation that he had with the decedent
Dale the contestant In Twenty -sixth-st Mr.. STOKES
spoke OF the rritlcal condition in which Mrs Dale then
lay and expressed his apprehension lest she might u0t
recover from her sickness October, 1879 Mr.. Wick
ham a talk with Mr. Stokes in Wall ST. about help
ing to of Governor Robinson MT Stokes
gave him a contribution OF $500 toward the campaign
fund On May 20. 1851 the witness went TO Mr. stokess
office and had a fifteen minutes talk with him on Dusi-
ness. Mr. Stokes also discussed the condition OF the
soS sa"ars and poc Re spoke Of the
cheapness Of money rates OF tnst n ad
minstrail0n. Mr. Wickham saw nothing tnAt nulcoteu
failure of mind or rrationaty. His manner or taK'
ing slow but the witness thought that THIS was
habit that early Icquirod and there seemed TO DO
no slowness of comprehension.
had known Mr.. Stokes since Is4O. He saw him
frequently at church. He had only one opinion
to his own business other people attend to theirs
He walked erect he was concise In speaking ana nls
sidered il quite useless for undertake change
Mr. StOkes's mind. After the death OF his wife Mr.
Stokes showed by his manner that he felt depressed
For time he was not 40 laxative formery but after
u month or two he recovered more OF ls accust0nea
ne aa,o %e He TAXED Le OF HOTTIES IN
later years the witness noticed that Dir StOkess walk
was weaker especially ssr hia ms w,es death v GTt az
ever Commissioner Lanbeer did not detect IN his man
ner appearance or conversations ANYTHING indicating
the last witness yesterday lie also had been
WITH Mr. stokes oT many o yns WA
Llle Insurance Company In the summer ., assp' MI:
attended a lawn party at Mr.. schells house. he
mingled generally with the guests and appeared TO en-
delegated to call upon him for contribution to tho
Demncntic campaign fund he met Mr.. stokes IS L ne
he was about starting OF for drive He stopped MS
horses and asked Mr. sche to get the carriage:
sir. Sche told him what ne wanted he said ne woud
be glad TO give and when Mr. schel took out his sub
scrption book Mr. Stokes put DO his for $1,000
Mr. Stokes also suggested the name OF another man VINO,
and gof a subscTtution rhe witness saw nothing in
Mr. Stokes's conduct indicating irrationalty.
Tne testimony for the proponents Will be continued