New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-03
DRAWING OUT TESTIMONY.
WITNESSES IN THE STEWART WILL CASE.
TwEETY.sEvEN DEEDS SIGNED IN ONE DAY.
EFFORTS OF COUNSEL TO OBTAIN DI.


TwEETYsEvEN DEEDS SIGNED IN ONE Day
EXPORTS OF COUNSEL TO OBTAIN DI
RECT RESPONSES.
The surrogate's Court WAS crowded yesterday morn
ing when the Stewart viii hearing opened, every avail
able chair being occupied and many people being
forced to stand John Van Gassbeek formerly manager
Of the retail carpet department Of the Tonthst store,
took the stand 10 70 on with his testimony Of the
previous day. Elihu Root al once opened lively fire
on the witness. He asked him questions In rapid
succession, changing their form and repeating his
ideas In attempt to got the witness 10 give direct
answers. He was unable, however, 70 draw forth
clear and responsive statements from Mr.. Van Glass
beck The witness desired TO tell HIS story in his own
way and no determined application Of the checkrein
process by counsel by the Surrogate could induce him
to change his Of making responses This prob
ing, fencing and bghpressure examination continued
throughout the whole morning session, and whom the
witness finally left the stand after the recess sigh
Of relief around the room.
In his examination Mr.. Root endeavored TO have
the witness explain Mr. Hton's position in regard 10
the Tenths store both before and after Mr.. Stewards
death. Mr. Van Glassbeek had never heard Of any
power of attorney executed in favor Of Mr.. Hilton.
Mr.. Root accordingly handed him the document made
on December 8, 1873. Mr.. Choste remarked that no
would like 10 look at the dangerous papers Tho
witness said that he had told Mrs. Prescott Han But
Ter Of his intended resignation. He had known her
only through having sold carpets to her on several
occasions. He had sold some to her for her house
at Thirty fourth-st. and Fifthave This vas before
the death Of Mrs. Stewart Mr.. Root asked him II
he know that Mrs Butler had not bought the house
until after the death Of Mrs. Stewart. The witness
did not know about that He repeated his testimony
Of Monday about the conversation he had with Mrs.
Stewart in regard to his resignation. Strong pres
tha Raat IA,
ton he had omitted to tell all that took place on that
day. Mr.. Root thought that It was strange that no
could think Of those things when examined by Mr.
Choate. Said Mr. Choato: Life Is very short, II
your Honor, please There are other witnesses wait
ing to DO examined
When Mr.. Root closed his examination the witness
looked somewhat disturbed Mr.. Choate proceeded TO
smooth down HIS rufed feathers. He got the witness
TO say something which he had not told before.
Now said Mr. Choate triumphantly, "you say that
Mrs Stewart told you that she thought you would be
the last to leave her. All Mr.. Roots sldn could not
bring that out Of you could TT" and he bowed gavey
to Mr.. Root moment later, when Mr.. Root interrupt
ed the examination, Mr. Choate said coolly Hold up,
hold up It ISN'T your turn TO talk There is ques-
don before the house, This caused some laughter.
for tho witness had repeatedly referred TO the law
firm Of Evarts, Choate & Beaman as the "house.'
The witness testified that Mr. Libby had shaken his fist
In the witnesses face. The first was extremely
near his nose and Mr.. Lbby's words had been
In harmony with his actions. Under the circums
tho witness thought that his relations with the house
and Mr. Libby could not be called particularly pleas
ant
william R. Pitcher was called. Dir. Choate said
that the witness had appraised tho damage done 70
the Metropolitan Hotel by fire in February, 1881 He
desired TO show by his testimony the attitude OF Mr..
Hilton toward Mrs. Stewart expressed in q convess
ton with tho witness. The testimony wa, not adj
mittcd, although Mr.. Choats maintained that It was
as competent as II no able to show that Mr.
Hilton had held pistol to Mrs. Stewards head.
Mrs. Rachel Hewson won the appreciation OF the
Surrogate counsel for both Sides and those listeners
present by giving her testimony In clear, straight
forward and precise manner She testified that she
was q sster-in-law OF Mrs. wetherell, daughter OF
]. Lawrence Smith Once when she had called upon
Mrs Stewart she was kept waiting for some tine
hen Mrs Stewart into the room she apolOg Eed
saying she had been signing twenty-soven deeds.
raid 10 her, the witness went on, that 10 must take
a long time TO read them all She replied that she
did not read any Of them, and that she did not know
Ton who would not ask her 70 do anything that was
not for her goods once whom the witness was |
asked to make a guess, Mr. Choate said, mOokngly
Now, would you lot her guessP
T. ID. Harris, manager OF the Stewart Building, was
called 10 givo testimony In regard 10 the revenues
obtained fr0n the property BY rentals. He repeated
the figures for one floor up 10 November l. 1884, when
was adjourned until 10 90 o'clock this morning