Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-11-26
GARDNER & BAXTER.
ALL DAY THE SAME
The Witnesses Assert Fred
Leonard's Insanity.
THE ATTORNEYS HAVE A TILT
Over the Subject Of Fr-t's Maniage-His
Habits OF Lie Again Released
"a Length.

A wordy war between the sttornsys
In the Leonard case Was the only enter
tAinment furnished the crowd OF
spectators in court yesterday morning.
The squabbls arose over the statement
by Mr.. Smiley that Fred Leonard 3
marriage Was the strongest proof Of his
Incompeteney.
Frank Leonard testified that after
the order OF the probate court adJudg-
ing Fred Incompetent. witness and
Charles continued IN active manage
ment OF the Leonard business. Wit
mesa did not consider Fred's marriage
legal. lie did not think the Michigan
Trust company had been Negligent IN
allowing Fred's marriage. Witness
considered Fred As weak mentally now
a. he WAS two or three years ago, and
cav no improvement except Ia his
dress.
On redirect examination he said that
when Fred went TO Germany, shortly
after his illness, he vac put on au al
IOwsnee OF IS cents per day with his
own consent. but his actual expenses
were from 81 to s. day, which were
pau tac urn tkcubo III
Before witness and Charles petItioned
the probate court for the appointments
II = guardian for Fred witness had
talked with several OF Fred's friends
and they thought that Fred should be
placed under guardianship.
A. tn Trsd's Guardian.
Mr.. Smiley then asked the witness
regarding the Michigan Trust company
and Mr.. Allen objected, but Mr.. smiley
argued his point. He said that the
Michigan Trust company had been IN
corporated by . special act of the legs
lsturs for the special purpose of TAX
ing care of the Interests of other peo-
pie 1ne company mad been attacked
by the attorneys on the other side for
the purpose Of prejadicing the jury
against 10. THE company" said he,
rs corporation, and as such Is man
aged by . board Of directors. 1t does
not personally act as . father TO the
orphan. but II keeps sharp eye over
his financial welfare and appoints an
agent. a. II has authority To do, to care
for the wards person. But the author
ity of the guardian has practically
been suspended since the appeal WAS
taken, and u has been unable to exer-
else that care over Fred's person which
il otherwise would"
Regarding the Marriage.
Mr.. Allen asked If the company pre-
vented Frsd's marriage before the ap-
peal was taken.
at did not," MI. Smiley replied,
''but the very fact that he did get mar
ried "a one of the strongest evidences
there Is that BE was mentally incompe-
tent TO take care OF himself. His wife
who ~ sheF'
You'll find out before this suit is
over, replied Mr.. Allen.
Mr. Smiley continued his argument,
saying: ''Sne was the wife of another
mao, before Fred Leonard became
acquainted with her two months before
their marriage, which took place the
day after she Was granted - divorce
from her former husband. Is II not
pretty strong evidence that Fred was
insane, that he became . party to such
transsctlons'
Both Mr.. McGarry and Mr.. Alien
protested against tbls, but Smiley stlll
persisted and drowned their protests.
This young man. who is mentally
incomp etent TO manage hisown affairs,
We Will snow your honor, married tins
woman after coartIng her a. q married
woman the day following her divorce.
bred snt. his wife then took up their
abode IN apartments adjoining those
occupied by the counsel On the other
sice. instead of beng under the guard
iansBip Of the Michigan Trust company
"a ne should have been where his
interests would have been looked after
and hrs property and person cared for
n they should have been We will
snow he Was under the control of =
gang whose will became his will, and
who directed every movement he
made"
This brought out Mr.. Allen Who IN
dignsntly declared Mr.. SmIlsy's states
m-ut TO be . fslsehood, but at TIM.
point the court ordered . recess.
In the Afternoon.
Al the afternoon session Frank Leon
ard was again on the stand. He sestt
Ted that Fred had called him . foo
for continuing the sui. and warned
witness that be would puts clerk "a the
office 20 see that rot q cent Of expense
Gas charged 70 him. Witness Was Ia
Europe when be heard of Fred's mar
rage tie thought the marriage with
Mrs. Rice wss illegal. ss Fred was in.
competent. Witness would ike to zee
me msrrss. broken up and would
bsssk Il up Il he could do 90 legally
lie never thought of .nhsrting part Of
sred's property should ne die unmar.
r q.
No fsfenaiv R.fs,ton.
Hs did not know Of Fr.d's wfa haw
ing visited bis wife. nor OF hrs w,fs
having visited Frsd's family. Wines.
In W mat Fret's wife had ralstive.
wing n the city, but I'D not knox
snesn Witness vas asked Il he eve,
heard snytning sFsinst Mrs. Fred
Ieonard's character. The wines.
soided tne question: ~ answering
tntt ae bad notaing sgsinst her cha