The Somerset reporter., 1885-11-25
THE CoBuRN WILL.
Dispositions to Prove that the Ex-
Governor was Sane whom
IL was Executed.


Governor was Sane whom
IL was Executed.
Saturday afternoon tie dispositions Of Or. II.
II. Hill of Augusta, Mr.. Arthur Seal Of Eath,
.ludre Charles Danforth of Gardiner, and Hon.
James IT, blaine, relative to the sanity Of the
late Ex-Governor Coanrn, were taken al the
Court House in Augusta by L. +. Nc5o, Esq,
acting for the executors Of Mr.. Coourn'S will. To
be used in the hearing before the court here IN
December, ON the petition Of appeal from the de
cis.on Of the Judge of PROBATE Of Somerset eoun
" allowing the will. judge Daseomb Of SHOW
hogan, ono Of the executors was present anu
y. D. Stewart, Esq, appeared fol ,he petition
eTs, =,
Dr. II. II. Hill Of Augusta, who attended Mi.
Coburn in his last sickness, dcposed that the eN-
Governor suffered from disease of the bladder Tor
about fourteen years before his death, during
which time he, DIR. Hill, attended him; that Ir.
Co3urn was II all times Of sound mind that duf-
ing his professional attendance he never o'seoN-
cred anythin, that indicated loose memory and
that he never saw thc Governor at any time wlen
he was not perfectly capable to transact ouSi-
ness.
raj Railroad, deposcG that he WAC acquainted
with Abner Coouln for twenty or twenty-five
wears, hlHCtlu- nm itHhths'N ~ NN'''
inrs of the company; that he did not at any
time discern any change ld his aoiilty to manage
his business, excepting as was occa>lonea oN
physical weakness. Nor was there any weaken
inI in his menlory or anything peculiar about
him.
Judge Danforth deposcG, Was acquainted
with A5ncr Co5urn for upwerds of 20 years
Saw him twice in August, 1881, IN SAowaesan.
Called the first day at dis horhc IN pursuance OF
note received froiA him. lie wished to consult
lie la regard to his will. We arranged an inter
view at the bank for next day. The will was
then produced 10y Judge DaScomo, Gov. Coourn
said nc wanted lay opinion as to the wording Of
the will. AT his request tde will was read by
Judge Dascomb
Coy. Cobrrn asked If haG any suggestions to
make in the language used al tie form OF the
will. Told hiui no, ahd so lar as it went, that il
understood his purpose thought 1t would De
better to make an addition that il he intended,
ms supposed, that the executors SHOULD pay leg
acics from real estate, it would be better To give
thea authority to operate the real estate, IS 1t
was mos y wild land He said such was AIS n
tenton, and he proposed to put it into thc cadi-
cil which he thought would DC sufficient He
said he proposed to reduce some of the lcsacieS.
He expressed a doubt whether he would drop
two who were named in the will as executors ard
add two or whether he would add two without
dropping any No reply was made to that with
| the exception that, of course he could do as he
pleased. He mentioned MIR. Wcston's name for
one He said Mr.. Weston was acquainted with
the lu1lbering business and was clear headed
business man. He asked lie if | would be one
Of the executors. l objected, and gave hi,A some
reasons, telling him That was not acquainted
with the numbering business and that, as did
no, sign bonds, l could not ask any one to sign
for lac He said he wished me as legal adyis-
or with the others. Told him that could he ac-
complishcd without naming ide as an executor.
He said he preferred to na1le me as an executor
because if my opinion came with authority, it
would have more influence over tic others Did
not waive my objections. and the matter dropped
there. He then asked Judge Dascom3 to make
a codicil. The next morning Ilet him at the
same place, and the coGicil was read with the ex-
ception ofthe provision relating u the executors
at any rate did not herr that read He suggest
ed no alteration, nor did |. Was not present a,
the execution OF the codic. The legacies vera
largely in lumber lands. Understood him to
mean when he spoke or the legacies, that in his
mind it was doubtful whether he would have
enough to pay them. He mentioned the Coourr
Classical institute, and salt that had been paid
Did not OBSERVE Uhy change in his memory. He
was more feeble than common, out l saw n,
change mentally. Counter heterogeneous clio
tied the following: He said nothing about Phi
lander's property to my recollection. Did 10
mention any particular investment in which III
had sustained IA loss since the making of the or
iyinal WILL Inferred from what lie salt tina
-. there WIS a shrinkage in some of his property
Have no direct knowledge of MS losing $500, OO
: in bad investment. Am at loss to answer til
question whether l have been consulted by hi
executors in regard to his will. Was presen
, with the executors and heard a statement witt
, regard to an investment which it was fcaro;
would result in the loss of something near half
million of dollars. Was there at the request o
one Mr.. Patterson, VINO was specially interested
7 in this matter. 1t was an investment in rail
t road-think Topeka was named in it. The state
ment was mace by Mr.. Patterson. There wa
= no statement by the executors, SO far know
r Mr. Patterson made statement preparatory Il
a proposition which he made for settlement,
He made two or three different propositions
He claimed to De the contractor or builder of til
i road, which was unfinished The proposition
was left without any acceptance or rejection.
D Mr.. Blaine deposcd: Was acquainted wit
a Gov. Cojurn from the month of December, lS5
, 10 the end of his life. Our acquaintance 70
many years very intimate and always yer
friendly. Last saw him at his cwn house No,
10, 1853. The interview lasted about three hours
c 1t was simply social and friendly visit.
| Was getting ready to go to Washington 70
= the winter, and wished to see him before going
: had no other intent whatever. In the topic
discussed at that time he was entirely natura
took full and fresh interest in t.e conversation
:, and wou,L rot let me go until the last minute
u could start for the train. Did not Deserve an
!. change in his memory in the sliShte st degree
d nor any Change in his habit or manner spt ak
S ing. Our talk was mostly on social rlatters an
personal remi iiscences. He talked at SOM
G length | remember, about the Maine Cenra
= railfoad and the pine lands in the Northwest
: There was nothing peculiar in him at that time
net in the least He was, of course n sick mail
7 Did not oJse-,e at any tine any business or men
tai incapacity. Mr.. Blaine was not QUESTION:,
by the contestants of tie will.