Evening journal., 1889-05-17
THE BELL WAS RUNG.
EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE IN
THE PARVlS CASE.

The value Of DR.. Paryis's Property
Mrs. Parvis Tells of Generous Hus-
band.
The hearing of evidence in the Faryls
damage case was resumed Wheh Ihe
Superior Court reconveaed TINS morning:
George NJ. T. Hart, administrator OF
nv parvis's estate. was the first witness.
He gave testimony as TO the condition OF
Dr Parvis's estate. He said DR.. Parvis's
nropertv was worth about $40 600, on
which were mortgages of about
600 600 His farms were worth about
Sog 600 and his house in Middletown
about $4,000 another house about ST.
500. He was also largely interested in
the phosphate works in Middletown
He was in a prosperous condition and
paying off his debts. In five or six years
he would have had his property cleared
DR.. Pavis left four children, three girls,
aged 16, IA and 4 and son aged Il.
Nathaniel Williams of Middletown
also gave evidence as to Dr. Parvis's
business capacity, which he considered
above the average. Witness knew Mr..
Parvis well. He estimated his property,
at yis death, to be worth about $40,
He was prospering at the time Of his
death
vi DbiuE NEUSS -tAdUAiItd p3 MI
Massey, the witness said that for ten
years Dr. Parvis practiced his profession
exclusively. After he removed to Mid
dletown he also engaged in the manufac-
ture of phosphate. devoting less time to
his profession. The phosphate business
had not been as profitable during four or
five years past as 1t had been before.
Dr. William r. Pierson of Middletown,
testified that DR.. Parvis was man of
vigorous health.
William w. Knox, life insurance agent.
testified to the tables of expectation of
life used by insurance companies. Accord
ing to the combined experience table the
expectation of life for an average man of
II years was 26 to 27A years
The plaintiff and widow of DR.. Paryis,
Mrs. Henrietta " Parvis, then took the
stand. Her features seemed haggard
and her eyes swollen. She lifted her
deep Grape veil as she gave her testi-
mony. In answer to Mr. Lore's ques-
tions. she testified that her husband had
been very liberal in providing for her
family. When she married him he was
not very well off. But as his property
increased, he continually was providing
better for them. At his death he
left her and the children as well pro-
vided for as he could The witness told
the names of her children and their ages.
The burden and care of the family were
now all upon her. Mrs. Parvis appeared
overcome at one point in her testimony
and bowed her head on the front of the
box There was no cross examination.
Henry Ellison, who had been on the
stand yesterday, testified that he had
measured the distance between the
Frogtown crossing and the place where
the carriage top had been found and
found it to be 1000 feet 1t was ], 900 feet
more to his lawn.
With this witness the plaintiffs rested
their direct testimony.
Mr.. Massey opened for the defence By
stating the ground of their defence tC
the jury in clear, forcible speech Ht
said the accident would be proved tC
have occurred, without any negligence OF
the part of the railroad company. They
would show that the train was running
on schedule time That the proper sig
nal Of ringing the bell for the FrogtowT
crossing was given and heard by many
That DR.. Parvis had full knowledge Of
the regular time of the coming of the
train.
Mrs. Laura A. Daley was the first wit
ness for the defence She was with hel
husband in a carriage on the night o.
DIR. Parvis's death and crossed the tract
ahead of the train. She heard the engin,
bell and afterwards heard the whistle.
On cross examination by Mr.. Constable
witness said she heard the whistle anC
thought the train struck something. Mr.
Constable put the witness through a rig
orous cross examination, but did no
shake her testimony to any great extent
James S. Grubb, engineer Of engine
40 train 80, on the night of the accident
swore that his train arrived on time q
Mt. Pleasant; when near the Frogtowl
crossing the fireman rang the bell unit
the train stopped at that point; the trail
was running about 35 or 40 miles an hour
the usual speed. Within 10 o
20 feet Of the Frogtown crossing
he saw horse crossing til
track; he was going at good rate 0
speed. The engine was at once shut of
applied the brakes full, blew the whistle
and applied the sand. The train ran l5i
or 300 yards. When the train stoppe
witness took the remains of the carriag
off of the pilot The train backed an
DR.. Parvis's body was found, also th
horse.
William Ryan, the fireman Of til
engine that struck DR.. Parvis, corrobC
rated the testimony Of the engineer.
Both of these witnesses were cross
examined in every detail of their test
mony by Mr.. Constable
The questions pnt to witnesses for tn
plaintiff regarding DR.. Parvis' propert
and prosperity were continually objecte
to by the counsel for the defence.
At 1 o'clock court adjourned until
- IL -