The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-18


eonversed with the other Witnesses. Mr..
Armstrong read the will. Witness was near
by. The reading of the will was stopped
for the purpose of making interlineations.
Armstrong hesitated and suggested changes
in the phraseology. Reddick suggested
changes in .bequests The clauses as correct.
sd were again read in the presence of Red.
dick. Reddick at the request OF Armstrong
signed the will. asked him if he desired
me to witness the will; he said he did. Red
dick and witnesses all present. general
conversation ensued between Reddick and
witnesses. Between May I'd and June 2lst
saw him almost every day and spoke to
him When he executed the will Reddick
was, believe, sane. He seemed attentive
and intent on the execution of his will, and
seemed to understand it. | was notified by
Armstrong and Dr. Hathaway to witness the
second will, Think that Mr., Skuse came
with a carriage for US. Think that Reddlck
came walking in accompanied but unassi t.
ed, by Dr. Hathaway. He greeted us all
Armstrong produced and read the Will l
distinctly understood the will. II was
plainly and wholly read. Mr., Reddick was
invited by Armstrong to sign. This he did
asked Reddick if | should sign. He said
should. Reddick's mind was clear.
Cross Er.-Aside from occasions men
toned don't remember to have called on
Reddick. He rose and made room for the
witnesses to sign Mr. Armstrong did all
the handling of the will. He asked Reddick
what should be done with the will, and Red
dick suggested that Allen take care of it
Don't think that the will was Immediately
h,nded over Reddick seemed physically
weak. Don't know how he was treated be-
fore or after left. On June Dist will was
not exposed or read until Reddick came in
Don't remember that there were any inter
ruptions in the reading Of the will Rec
ollect that Reddick got tired and was de-
sirou. of leaving but | don't remember
whether he did or not. Don't think thai
Reddick and DR.. Hathaway retired while
was there. When Reddick said he was tircd
he looked unusually so.
Re Dtrect.-When said that Armstrong
invited Reddick to sign the will | NEAR
simply that he said it was ready to bt
signed.
DR.. r. F. DYER.-Considered Reddick
man of forcible character. Was his consult
ing physician My first visit was on the otf
day of May; continued his physian unit
22d of May; was not again there until us
of June. Went upon invitation of DR.. Hath
eway who said that Rekdick's will was to b'
read. When entered the room ReddicA
merely saluted me. After the reading o.
the will there was general conversation IL
which Reddick participated. The latter
part of the will was read after my arrival
Was there when that clause relating to libra
ry was read Reddick SAID cor college, il
an mourning manner, and looked about tt
the witnesses. Armstrong stopped mo
ment and then continued. 81 considered
the man responsible for his acts Seemed
to comprehend the will | soen after thu
reading of the will left Reddick walked
into the hall when | babe HIM good day.
paid especial attention to iieddick's condi
ito, and thought him Ell ely competent
In transact such business On the 3lst O
August Reddick walked up the stairs alon'
to my Office and wrote me check for thu
amount he owed me. | asked him why h'
interrupted the reading of the will with
remark cor college, He said he had al
ways wished to found a college but gave i
m because he had not sufficient money
Afterwards one day he spoke of having lef
Isis" railroad stock. Said that he though
that some time they might not yield her
dividend and he did not want her to b
compelled to sell them. This meeting hap
pened near the post office, on August 80; hi
said he was paying his bills; that he ha'
paid his whisky bill and that it was remark
able how much he took when sick withou
having it go to his head. considered hin
in good mental condition at this visit
did not observe that he was under the iatiu
ence of stimulants or narcotics. | think 1t
knew what he was talking about
Cross Er.-From June ID to the presen
time have thought that since saw him IL
consultation he was not the man he hat
been. Whenever | have expressed my opin
ion it was with qualification. On May otl
| found his mental condition very bad, /. e
he was very SICK suffering from insomnia
He recognized me; talked with me. If lef
alone would wander from his story and l
left to himself would return to his story un
aided These are the most marked feature
of his mental distress. Some days he woult
be quite clear. If he slept well he woul'
not be so bad mentally. His trouble con
sisted in blocked lungs, disturbed heart
dropsical tendency; eruptions Of skin, con
stiparion. At this time his lungs were clear
n, a. oooo,;oo nf the execution