The Newtown bee., 1891-12-04
FAIRFIELD.
THE OSBORNE WILL CASE


There is interest in the trial of the ap-
peal from the probate of the will of the
late Burr osborne, which has been in
progress before Chief Justice Andrews
and jury in the Superior court at
Bridgeport. The probate hearing, fully
reported in the BEE, has given the main
facts in the case.
Burr Osborne, blind and virtually help
less, died leaving property that inventor
led 1854, 900, though worth probably less.
His will, witnessed by Judge of Probate
w. B. Glover, Town Treasurer Edmond
Hobart, John Welsh, CDR Donaldson
supplying John Welsh's place in witness
ing a codiciD gave John w. Morehouse,
who cared for Mr. Osborne in his last
days, 120 acres of land. the homestead
and its personal property, $500 and half
of the residue.
Mr. Osborne's nearest surviving rela-
tives are cousins, some 20 of them, and
they charge undue influence on the part
of Mr. Morehouse. Sam Fessenden, Judge
Glover and City Attorney George Wheel
er of Bridgeport represent the estate,
Goodwin Stoddard, Curtis Thompson,
Bacon Wakeman the contestants.
The defense occupied Tuesday and
most of Wednesday with their testimony.
Judge Glover, who drew the will in Sep
TENDER, 1888, Deputy Sheriff Pike, Treas
urer Hobart and DR. Donaldson testified
that they thought Mr. Osborne of sound
mind when the will was made.
John Welsh, who lived with Burr Os-
born II years, believed that he was not
of a sound mind for year or more be-
fore he was taken to the hospital in the
Spring of 1887.
The first witness called for the contes-
tants, Wednesday afternoon and again
Thursday, was Maj John B. Morehouse,
who testified that he believed Mr. Osborn
to be of unsound mind.
William Burr also testified, Thursday,
to the same effect.
Also Mrs Esther Huntington, another
of the Osborne cousins.
The only property wanted by the rail-
1Vdo uASCbOlCu uCbWCSH Il DIX
field and Bridgeport is that of George
Morehouse, for which suit was brought,
Monday, before Commissioners Howard
Knapp, Patrick Coughlin, Talmadge Ba-
ker. Charles Sherwood, Thomas E. De-
Forest and William E.Seeley viewed the
property, Monday before the trial. The
property owners had nine with esses and
the railroad four. Decision was render
ed, Wednesday, allowing Mr. Morehouse
$500 for the property. The property
owners will demonstrate, the price paid
being lower than that paid on either side
Of them.
One Of John Ell. Vincent's black hors-
es was taken sick and DR. Prophet of
Bridgeport was called, who found the
animal suffering with spinal meningitis.
1t is on the road to recovery, but will
have to rest some months. Mr. Vincent
has bought the black five-year-old, weigh
ing 1900, of Simon Banks.
Steam roller of B. D. Pierce, Jr, is at
work on the new macadam walks about
the new church, which are presented to
the church by f. Sturges. One of his
foremen, George Becker, has had charge
of the work.
William Bonner brough suit against
William Falls, Della Falls and Mrs Will
liam Falls for breach of peace and abus-
i've language. The case was brought be-
O. T0tx wy.
Falls was fixed 50 and costs, amounting
to $16 81.
Postmaster Wakeley gains very slow
", is not yet able to get out of the
house.
A prayer meeting was held at the Hol-
land Heights school house, Thursday
evening and will continue each week, il
interest enough is manifested,