The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THE WILL.

THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THE WILL.
Mr.. CmAs. II. LAWRENCE: Lived in Otta
wa from 80 to 20. Had then more than
a passing acquaintance with X. Met him
about Dec g. "a, in the Clifton House,
where he was examined as q witness Ill
Smell, Taylor 4 Co. v. Plumb. His answers
were long and rambling, Examination
lasted about 45 minutes. | then, as now,
believed him to have been ap incOmpe-
tent witness and unable on that day to have
transacted business that would require a
reco lection Of many facts.
Cross Er: His health seemed to be very
poor. He was not wild, but very quiet
We asked him for past conversation. lie
didn't recolect it.
coward Rlrz: Lived IN Ottawa from AS
to Ca Became acquainted with r in AS
Never talked much with him. On Sept. 2 ,
"a, called and Sis told me that he was
too sick to be seen. Three or four day s
later | went TO correct an error in former
contract he didn't seem to understand me
very we'll ana went to get Lincoln, who
had negotiated the contract between us. Mr.
r. was a very sick man, and didn't recollett
very we'll. didn't see him after that time
Cross En-: On Sept. %, "a, l could not
make him understand the business. When
| got Lincoln to come with me, thought
II. competent to transact the business be
tween US.
A. J. RsDDICK Lived in La Sale sixteen
years Am Al years Of age journalist ;
postmaster of La Sale. RS brothers and
sister were David, James, Joseph, Jane and
John. David born in 1910, William in 1872
James in 1913, Joseph in 1914. John died
soon after Mexican War; Jane died about
three years ago. James, who died in AZ,
left two children. Joseph died about {
years ago, leaving two children, Mrs. Col
Inns and Hysell. John was never mar.
ried. Jane Stanley left a daughter, Eliza
beth Smith, in Birmingham, Ala. David S
daughters are Mrs. A. A. Demo, Mrs. Addie
Rynix, Washington, D. c., and Mrs. Green,
in Knox Co. Father never took drink OF
intoxicating liquor in his life. ! was
friendly with Vim. K. Whenever came to
Ottawa l stopped in to see him; for FIVE
years next preceding his death our personal
relations were good; VIM. used to CORE.
spond; he assisted me. saw VIM. r. after
after he was taken sick, in June, 'S4;
called at ll:30 A. NJ. June q, a.; went
into the Kitchen where | saw isis" and
Mary O'Donnell; was not permitted to see
uncle. | fix the date date by the fact that
lost my boy on that day by drowning.
called again on Tuesday following and was
not permitted to see him. On Thursday
following saw him in the hallway in com
pany with Skuse we went into room
into which and out of which Skuse from
time to time came and went; Il. sat with his
eyes closed; he said, "ls that you, An
drew" said "Yes." He said "You have
been to PENN" | said, mo" lis said
Have you seen your aunt? She is across
the hall" | was there 10 or Is minutes
Skuse and Kelly dropped in and out After
that | corresponded with him; Miss Funk
answered my letters for him. On June 20
when saw him, K mind was in condi
ton to do no business. The next time
saw him was probably in Nov, 81; his con
dition of health was bad, his mind not very
good About the middle of December | saw
VIM. r. to borrow money from him; he
wrote me a check for 81 900; when re-
turned having drawn the money, to thank him
for the loan, he asked me what | was thank
ing him for; he said he didn't remember
that he had loaned me anything; this hap
pened within Is minutes after he had writ
ten me the check. From Nov. 20, 80, to
New %, SO, had little trouble about the
postotfice; VIM X. went with Mr.. Duncan
and myself to Chicago at least three times in
reference 10 that matter.
Cross Fl: Never published any article re.
fecting upon any young lady in Ottawa.
Uncle never told me how | should run my
paper. Whether in Dec, a. | went first to
uncle's house l don't remember. Between
March "a, "a, and March 8, '85, was at
Ottawa several times; don't remember to
have seen uncle two or three days before
his death. Checks Of Jan / and 10, 50, are
in the handwriting CT VIM. r., and sent to
me to pay hills owed by father. On or
about May s. "a, was in Ottawa with my
little boy, but don't remember whether
called on uncle. Letter of Oct 4, 81 is in
my handwriting; deter offered; deter Of
March 4, 'S5, asking VIM. r. to secure wit
ness r. [. pass offered Don't now re-
memember whether saw uncle few days
before he died. | gave as security for the
loan of 81 900 one mortgage on my home
-tead and another on my printing outfit. /