New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-03
MR. sToKEYs TALK BUSINESs-LLKE.
TESTIMONY OF GEORGE f. BEST. L. II. LUDLOW AM
OTHERS.

TESTIMONY OF GEORGE +. BEST L. II. LUDLOW AND
OTHERS.
Another hearing was had Yesterday IN the
contest over the codic to the will of the late James
Stokes The examination Of Marceilus Hartley
was ended Mt. Hartley said that he had never seen
Mr. Stokes keep his hat on In church he had never
sen any one perform the service for Mr. Stokes OF putt
ing ON his hat be had been in the habit OF walking
with Mr. Stokes They walked together sometimes LOT
an hour and half Mr. Stokes vas always on tDese
occasions carefully dressed. Matters OF investment
and general business often topics OF conversation
between the witness ami Mr.. Stokes. In Orange, In
the summer Of 1884, Mr. Stokes was less Inclined 10
talk than be had been formerly His gait was also more
feeble Mr. Hartley said he had never heard from
any member Of Mr. stokess family that his mind was
failing He did not suppose that there was any sus-
picion of that character.
The next witness called was George Il. Best, who SAID
that in May 1884, he had Office In the same building
I'm wa-st In which Mr.. Stokes had his Office. Mr..
Stokes once sent for the witness, who was notary
public TO come and take his acknowledgment To paper
When the witness into Mr. Stokess Office he found
him seated at desk and looking the paper which
he was TO acknowledge Mr.. stokes made some remark
about not finding his pen. When he had signed ana ac
knowledged the paper he told the witness to take seat
at another desk and sign the acknowledgment The
witness directed TO 80 to the cashier for bis fees
Il. H. Ludlow, the real estate dealer OF No. Pinest
said that be had known Mr. Stokes for forty or fifty
years He met hun after the death OF Mrs. Stokes and
spoke to him his loss. Mr. Stokes replied in few
words which were very appropriate. Mr. Ludlow said
that did notice anything In Mr. stokess CONVEX
saon or appearance which Indicated any failure OF mind
OF irratonaiity. .
James S. Hollingshead was the next witness II 9
became acquainted with Mr.. Stokes In ls33 and me
MIN from time to time until his death The relation
between Mr. Stokes and the witness were OF DlSihess
Mr.. stokes man OF high business
character He expressed himself IN clear and busi-
nesske way. In the summer OF 1881 the illness met
Mr. Stokes at the railway station at HobOken Inc
witness was waiting for the train when Mr. STOKES
came In with two OF his The witness spoke to
him. and Mr. Stokes ret1rnedthe greeting and was quite
cordial In his manner The conversation was cry brei
Mr. Holngshead said that lac did not notice any change
either In Mr. stokess personal appearance OF III his
manner conversation.
Robert Colby said that he had lived In NewYork for
about thirty years. He engaged III tue stock
business. He mad known Mr.. Stokes for number OF
years. Between 1879 and June 1881, he had seen Mr.
Stokes frequently In Wall-s He met him in Madison
Square in 1881 and spoke TO him about the fountain
which his tMr 6tOkes's daughter had erected He ex
pressed anxiety lest the fountain might suief
from lack OF proper The only change which Mr.
Colhy noticed in Mr. Stokes the fact that lac wac
longer Broadway walker" NO change In his
looks conversation noticeable. Mr.. Colby SAID
that he observed nothing IN Mr. Stokes which indicated
unsoundness weakness Of mind. On cross examine
ton the witness said That he had really not enough OF
Mr. stokesto have opinion In regard 10 his strength
nationality Of mind. The examination will De con
in uQl TOM