Morning journal and courier., 1884-11-26
THE DOOLITTLE CASE.

The Old Man From Woodbridge Again
 In COurt-The Court Room Crowded
 Policeman SeI1eck Has Some Testi-
 mOny About Mrs. DoOlittIe's Char
 acter-The Defence Opens Its Testt-
 n1ony.
 The little court room where Judge York holds sway was crowded yesterday morning
 when the hearing in the case Of Junus Doo-
 little, the aged farmer whose children are
 anxious to have a conservator appointed over him. was resumed The Woodbridge people united with several New Haven people in
 swelling the crowd in the court room. Po- liceman Selleek was the first witness called Attorney Hamilton produced temporary buzz by asking the policeman to relate an incident respecting the character of Farmer Doolittle's wife. The policeman was roundsman three years ago and his nightly
 tramp took him to every locality in the city. He was about to give some testimony regard ing the character of Mrs. Doolittle, whom he knew when she resided on Hudson street, l when Attorney Doolittle objected. Judge
 York said he would give his opinion on
 the admissibility of the evidence this
 morning. There was another witness, a | woman, who was to give similar evidence as Policeman Selleck, but she was excused until to-day.
 William Stickney, young man from Woodbridge, testified that MT. Doolittle had | a habit of blowing tin whistle while going | through the streets.
 Mrs. Hattie Cook, of Cheshire, testified ! that MT. Doolittle offered her $1 900 and | either the interest or the use of ten acre lot I in addition to the money if she would marry ! him. In referring to what disposition he proposed to make of his money he stated to | the witness that he intended to leave some to Emma and Walter Hotchkiss, two grand 1 children, but it would be deposited in their
 names as he did not wish to have their pa
 rents get any of it. Lydia Dickerman, an
 other grandchild, he said might go to the devil for all he cared. In speaking of Emma l Dickerman he always termed her the 'high- cockalorum" In one conversation with Mrs. | Cook he said he had four women under con- sideration for marriage
 Dr. Lindsley was brought in as medical l expert for the plaintiffs. He said Farmer Doolittle was of unsound mind and incapa- ! ble of managing his estate. In his judgment | the near future would see the defendant an idiot or entirely insane He was suffering
 
 more cure than there was for old age. If the gentleman's physical condition was good he would live for years, even if he was men tally weak. Dr. Lindsley was shown Dr. Hammond's book on mental diseases. The New Haven doctor regarded the work as a great authority on that subject. Attorney Doolittle considered Dr. Hammond an ass. He formed this estimate of the celebrated physician from overhearing conversation in Norwich between Dr. Carleton of that city and the New York medical light. After few more witnesses had testified to
 points substantially given before in the testi-
 mony the plaintiffs rested their side of the
 case pending the decision of his honor to the admissibiity of the testimony regarding the character of Farmer Doolittle's bride The defences first witness was Thomas Flaherty, the WestVille blacksmith who tes- tifed that he knew the defendant for eight
 years and always thought him to be the same
 as any other old man. E. A. Hitchcock,
 Westville carriage repairer, testified in like manner. MT. Hamilton asked this witness
 if the old man on one occasion had not given
 him some candies. At this question the old
 man pulled package of candies from his
 pocket and offered them to Attorney Hamil-
 ton. Edwin F. Davis, of this city, testified
 that he knew of no man more capable to take care of his own affairs thon old Lucius