The record-union., 1891-10-24
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

loIJSCldl 10 Jile e1CECOhD-ON1ONs
SALEM (Mass.), Oct. 23.-At the open
ing of the Searles will case this morning,
Lincoln recalled Searles. The witness
testified that at Mrs. Hopkins request he
.irst called in Mr.. Stillman to look up
securities in October, 1887. Witness tes-
lifted to visit of Stillman to Methuen
before the last will was made. Mrs.
iSearles stated that she wished to leave all
ler property to witness, and would pro-
vide for Timothy in her lifetime. In
case anything happened to her she was
willing to leave matters in witness
hands. She knew witness would be
more generous to Timothy than she
would. Witness testified that during
Mrs. Searles' last sickness he visited New
York, and, while in conversation with
;Stillman, referred to her condition and
said if her condition was critical, it would
3e well to transfer the Southern Pacific
and Improvement bonds and stocks to
he copartnerShip, so in case of Mrs.
Searles' death it should not lose its vot
ing power. Stillman said he would at
lend to it.
Witness denied most emphatically that
nc ever at any time attempted by him
self, or through others, to in any way in
-iu6IlCe Ills WIG IIle ulSl)OSdl Oh u0E
property. He never noticed anything to
show that she was in any other than a
strong mental condition.
Burley, on cross-eXamination, asked
witness if he intended to say he never
-lad private conversation in regard to
The disposal Of her properties? Witness
replied: None" SearleS stated that i'll
June, 1887, he had property of his own
amounting. to 100000. The cross-ex-
animation by Burley brought out nothing
new. Witness knew of no memoranda
additional to the will being left. At least
ne had not discovered any.
This concluded Searles' testimony, he
having been on the stand for five days
and over, under the most searching ex-
animation into all his affairs.
Burley then called for the check books
showing checks to Stillman or Hubbard.
This request the court was not disposed
10 grant. Counsel for the will then ten
dered original copies of the letters which
lad been read for comparison, and con-
1estants rested their case for Timothy
Hopkins. Judge Harmon asked if any
one else wished TO be heard in opposition
10 the instrument and there was no re-
sponse.
Lincoln then called General Hubbard
Of New York, who testified he had
Known Searles for some time prior to
$50, but had personally done no bust
ness for him. he first met Mrs. Searles
n the spring of 1888, but had heard some
Thing Of her matters in conversation with
Stillman.
General Hubbard gave in general
way Mrs. Searles' property as consisting
of sixty different kinds of stocks and
bonds. The property is such that any
one who attempts to attend to either one
of the properties requires all of his time
Witness had a large and prosperous
practice, and when Stillman came to
him and said that Searles wanted him to
lake the management Of the property,
and asked him if he would go in with
him he told him that it was a serious
matter, as it would in q short time at
least involve the abandonment of the
practice of law. Finally he consented to
lake it up.iwithi him. The copartner-
ship was suggested by Stillman, who had
found, as attorneys, that they had met
with rebuffs in getting information nec-
esSary to cope with the questions before
them, but as principals, as well as attor-
neys, they could insist upon their rights
10 it.
Witness knew that five per cent. would
he much less than his professional in
come, and finally, after much discussion,
The copartnership as drawn was made as
the most just and reasonable arrange
ment.
At the afternoon session General Hub
bard testified that the management of the
estate had taken nearly all of his time for
the last year and a hall, and fully as much
of Stllman's time. He saw Mrs Searles
about June 5, 1888, and she wanted some
one to manage her business who was near
at hand. In the latter part of May. 1880,
witness went to Mrs. Searles and re-
marked that she appeared to be drawing
but little, while Searles was drawing
quite literally. She asked if that was not
right. Witness said yes, if she wished it
so. She said Searles paid ali her bills,
and she wanted him TO. She did not
want to keep bank account or have any
thing to do with matters of business.
Were any changes made in the re-
cordtitle of the partnership just be-
lore Mrs. Searles' death?" was asked the
witness.
Yes, in the Southern Pacific and
Pacific Improvement Company Both
had been transferred to the partnership,
but had remained on record as in the
name of Mrs. Searles. They were trans
1erred on the books of the company"
Witness had no personal knowledge of
the wills, and had never attempted in any
manner to influence Mrs. Searles in re-
gard TO the making of her will. Mrs.
Searles always impressed him as a woman
Of alert mind, and spoke as a woman of
quiet, decided opinions when she spoke
IF matters of business. Witness never
advised the keeping of matters secret
from Timothy Hopkins.
TREACHERoUS REDSKINS.