The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-12-02
This Mornings Court,


Court convened at $50 o'clock this
and tho first hour was de
voted to argument between counsel IN
the case of Susanna Etheridge VS.. the
executors OF Hannah Bennett In r0fer-
enee to admitting the testimony of
William NJ Pyle one of the bsneIiciar-
les and executors OF the first will made
by Mrs. Bennett.
AT the close the court decided that
Mr.. Pyle's testimony could not DO ad-
mitted.
Miss Kate Ploodgood was recalled,
and said that She was in Mrs Bennetts
room on one occasion. and heard Mrs.
Etheriage say that Mr., Pyle was a ras-
cal. Mrs. Bennett turned over and
said that sometimes people were not
as bad as other people said they were.
Mrs. Cath arlne Il. Pyle testified that
she has known Mrs. Bennett for over
thirty years. The relations between
them were always of the most cordial
nature. The witness knew her during
her frat husbands life time. After
his death sho remained a widow about
five years, before marrying Mr.. Ben
nett. The latterwas shoemaker, and
has been dead almost seven yeurs.
After his death Mrs. Bennett board
led around ut y number of pinces, and
went to Trenton In 1889 After she
went to Trenton the witness kept up n
continuous correspondence with her.
.One OF her letters requested the wit.
mess to come and see her, which she
did accompanied by her husband. She
was to sec her thee times, and the
last time Mrs. Bennett spoke about
her Will.
She told the witnessanl her husband
ltint she had heard llrs. Etheridgo aud
her half brother forming IL plot to get
possession OF her property, and said
that sho wanted Mr.. Fisher to come to
Trenton and make her will. She also
told the witness that she intended to
IGive one-fourth OF her property TO MIR.
Fisher and tho remainder to the wit
ness and her husband.
1he witnesS also called upon her
while she was In Chester, and in Octo-
lher, 1850, she came to tho witness
house aud remained several weeks
During that time she repeatedly told
the witness that she did not mind
doing for the Etheridges as losg as
she lived, but that when She died it
must stop After the Etheridges re
moved to this city, sho called to see
Mrs. Bennett several times.
Finally sh8 saw she was not wanted,
E;Is every time she called she was told
Ithat Mrs. lehnett was asleep, and
lcoild not be d sturhed. The last time
she called thcre Mus stormy inter.
view, and Mr., Etheridge ordered her
ITO leave tie house.
Mr.. Hilles rested with this witness,
iand Mr.. Nields opened in rebutal.
Mis-. Nellie Ainsworth testified that
islIe had known Mrs bennett fer Twelve
IyrArs, ana visited her when she lived ON
King street, he last time she saw her
Iwas on Il SundAT the iaLLefpnrt of Jan.
IOf this year. She called about 4o'clpek
I'm the afternoon and found Mrs Ben.
nett in he'd. She kissed the witness on
the forehead, und inquired about her
husband and children. calling each of
them by name.
Mrs. bennett seemed perfectly olear
in her mind, ard when Mrs. EiheridgF
Iglve her u drink OF water said to the
WITNESS that Is my best friend and
believe God SEM her to take care oil
lnr. She also spoke of some songs
IGud hymns which the witness had
been accustomed to sing for her years
aGo. Ths witnc y was in Trenton
March !, 1880, % attend a funeral, and
afterwards called ON Mrs. Bennett.
She was unexpected, but found tho
IhOu5e in perfect orllar and spoile5s.
Airs. i.thnridge called Mrs. Bennett
down to the sitting room, and left
them together. Mrs. Bennett told the
witness that she YVES never lpttar cared
for or more comfortable in her life,
and that Susanna doAo everything In
Ihrr power for her.
Mrs. Anna Mary Mnnsrll, testified
that she knew Mrs Bennett during heI
llIe time, and that she boarded with
her nhout one year, sume6 years ago
| he witGe went to see Mrs Bennett
about OF o month before her death.
She found her lying on the lounge II
lihe sitting room. and when Mrs Eth
Ier!dge said "AuutY, here is friend OF
yours she rose up and kissed the wit
ness.
She spoke in the most affectionato
MARINER Of Mrs. Etheridge AMI of
the care that aha was tahing OF her.
ohe told the witness she was never
happier in her life, and said she was