Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-24

Of bis other relatives as " he did not desire
that they should have any part OF his pro-
perty.
DUPLICATE KEYS.
About seven wears aye the said william A.
Thomas gave me the duplicate keys that
were used bv the curaiors In opening TIE
sife and box 10 the bank-vstilt at toe time OF
their investigation into the papers OF the de-
cedent. These keys were simply lelt w.tn
me ps Mr.. Thomas for safe-keeping 10 case
be should lose those which he kept 10 bis
possession. They we're sealed III and put
away by me IN a safe place. neverthouRht
OF using them, or that had right to use
them In any way.
MORE ABOUT THE KEYS.
Prior TO the time when these keys were
placed 10 my possession they had been 10 the
hands OF a friend OF Mr. Thomas. who was
then a member Of the firm OF which was
member, and they we're kept by him 10 the
same way. as 1 understand, that thew wero
kent by me. After NT. Thomas death
carried these keys and offered TO deliver
them to hi. daughter because thought she
bad q right 10 them, and would have de-
livered them 70 her but for the let that she,
under the advice OF her counsel, preferred
then that the matter should remain IN stTfu
quo. / delivered these keys to the curators
at the request and BY the advice OF The said
Bette Thomas Lewis and her counsel aod
after the notice was read to them showing
the conditions upon which all OF the keys
were 10 be turned over to them.
TIE NIGHT BEFORE the DEATH.
would never have surrendered these
KEYS 10 any one but the said Bette Thomas
Lewis without her consent except upon the
order OF the Court requiring me to do so.
On the night OF Dir. Tbomas's death was
sent for and got 10 bis house short time
after bis DEATH Soon after getting there,
knowing that his KEYS were yerv important,
I asked bis daughter where they were, and
she Immediately replied, II have them. Nv
father gave them and his papers to me before
he died and told me they were mine and not
10 surrender them TO anybody"
Other Matters.
Fannie Coles, whose affidavit was present
ed 10 the Court by Judge Christian, has been
the companion OF Bette Lewis for number
OF years.
By some she might be taken for white
person, though her mother was muistto.
RELATIVES LETTERS.
The counsel for Bette Lewis have In their
possession several letters written TO BIZ.
Thomas BY bis relatives which they VIII In
trOduce as evlde0ce at Tue proper tWe 10 lt-
flute The allegation thai deceased was on good
terms with biz relatives.
one OF these letters was written to deceased
a short time before bis death by one OF the
heIrs.at-la@, and shows that the writer had
written several times to Nj. Thomas for
money and the latter had paid no attention
TO MA applications, and ~ this last letter he
saws he will make one more plea, and begs
Mr.. Thomas not TO turn him away as he had
always done.
THE RECEIVER DESIRED.
Ex-Judge Waddill, one OF the counsel Tor
Bette Lewis. came no TO court yesterday TO
,rgue the case. but was called away 10 Hen
rico Court 10 attend an Important case.
IL is the wish Of Bette Lewis that Mr. n.
". Bowe or one Of the present orators
(Messrs ". r. and 81. 5. Quarles) shall be
appointed receiver In case there Is On ap-
continent made.
BETS.
The proceedings IN this case are watched
With a great deal OF interest bv the public,
and bets were DeIng offered yesterday sud
accepted as 10 the issue OF the claim made by
Bette Lewis.