Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-24
The Powell will Contest.

The Powell Will Contest.
THE ADMIRAL'S MIND CLEAR UP TO SHORT
TIME BEFORE HIS DEATH.
The trial of the contested will case of Admiral
Powell-Colmesnil agt. Drake and Webb-was
resumed in the Circuit Court, Judge Cox, this
morning.
Miss Fanny Weeks testified that the admiral
said he might be allowed to decide for himself
who should see him.
Miss NJ Weeks testified that the admiral said
in Baltimore that if he could not get Mrs
Stewart out of the house, he would break up
house keeping and go TO Aiken, 8. c.
had been in the habit of mending the admirals
clothing, but Mrs Stewart stopped witness
from giving the clothing to her.
TESTIMONY OF THE ADM1RAL's CLERK
The propounders put ON the stand T. F. Cogan,
who testified to being the admirals clerk from
June 25th, 1884, to his death. The admirals
mind was in such a condition that he could at
tend to business up to a short time before he
died. Witness never heard Of the admiral cor
ever hear Of her till recently. The admiral re-. re
ceived visitors up to short time before he died.
The Misses. Weeks visited the admiral fire.
the admiral said they had enfiladed him, both
talking ut once. Mrs. Stewart had charge of
the household affairs. Witness identified
DIR. Addison writing the admirals name and
the latter making his mark. This was dated
January 7th. one week before the admirars
death. Witness identified other checks signed
by the admiral, drawn about the time the will
was executed.
Cross-examined: Saw very little of Mrs. Stew
art; don't know that she was or was not given
to dissipation.
DR.. James C. yelling testified that he knew
his MIND perscy souna his las1
sation was as to whether Columbian university
would take charge of the trust to promote edu-
was struck with the admirals intellectual
vigor at the time, and in witness judgment he
was capable of making valid deed or contract.
Gates ThufStOn testified that the admiral had
twenty-five or thirty first cousins, seven of
them Powells. Witness was telegraphed little
over year ago that the admiral was low, and
he came here, remaining until the danger was
over. The admiral spoke of his business to
some extent, and also of his relatives and of
one branch OF the family he educated. Witness
over year ago, while engaged in q private con-
versation with the admiral, the latter heard
some one enter the room, and the latter asked
who it was. Witness answered it was Mrs.
Stewart, and the admiral said he was having o
private conversation with Gates, and she with
his last visit witness found him very feeble
On the last day of his life Mrs. Stewart, Miss
Condon and witness were standing over his bed
discussing whether they should give him medi-
cine, and the admiral raised his head and said:
Follow the doctors instructions" This~was
within six or seven hours Of his DEATH It was
very doubtful as to his testamentry capacity a
few days before his death, and witness would
not have then recommended the making OF
Rev. DR.. Addison testified that he admins
tered the communion to the admiral; thought
he he was sent sent for by Mrs; Stewart; found
and prayed with him. Spoke to him about
the communion, and the admiral was
reluctant: He ga asked ed Why and the admiral said
witness and his associate was brought In and it
was signed. Witness then administered the
ADMIRAL responded audibly aamen'" en- PIE There ere was vas
no suggestion made for a postponement of the
communion that he knew Of.
The crosse Examination of Mr. Gates Thurston
was proceeded with, and he said he was not an
expert as to drinking, but when he arrived Mrs.
Stewart was somewhat excited. Witness did
not say that he would not be surprised If Mrs.
stewart prsduced a marriage certificate.
A letter from Mr.. Thurston g. Perego was
Misses Weeks have Joined the enemy"
Chas. d. Drake, lex-chief justice of the Court
OF Claims), testified as to his long acquaintance
with the admiral, who consulted with him as
He never saw Mrs. Stewart drink, but had seen
her nervous and excited. The admiral always
Kept liquor In the mouse and drank whisky.
Mr.. W. B. Webb testified that he wrote the
will and was the counsel for him. There never
never knew a man more capable Of making 4
will Witness wrote three wills for the admiral
the hrst giving the Misses Weeks 81 500. Wit
as to the wills. He had memoranda and die
tated to him what he wanted.
A CHURCH OUT OF DEBT. Westminster
Presbyterian church, Rev. DR.. Bittinger, pastor
was the scene, last evening, OF an unusually in
teresting and attractive meeting. There was q
reunion OF the members of the congregation,
who held q jubilee over the liquidation of the
debt on the church through the excrtions of
Q committee Of young persons. To the same
energetic committee was committed the work
OF renovating and refurnishing the church. To-
wards this object several hundred dollars were
subscribed, with q good prospect Of the needed
amount being raised. The ladies provided an
abundant collation..
Twenty.four persons have been killed by an