The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-02-27


Tho Walton g. whann Company-Mr.
Vandegrift Claims That Joshua Had
Third Wife.
As soon as Clier Smith had proclaim
Ell court open at 2.30 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon the case ofWtlliams vs. The
Walton u Whann Company was again
resumed.
DR.. j. L. v. Blocksom was called and
testified that he attended Joshua Will
liams in his last illness Mrs. Williams
said that he had been working in the
acid chamber and WAS nude sick by
the gas. She also said that as he had
not been well for several days she had
tried TO persuade him to remain ut
home but he persisted IN Soing to his
work.
Mr.. Nields then asked the witness IL
ne found the symptoms the same in
Williams case as those of Ross, when
Mr.. Vandegrift objected.
He thought that II Williams had lin
gered as long as Ross, the condition
OF tho lungs would have been about
the same. There was no post-mortsm
heIu on Williams, and consequently
the condition OF his lungs was not as
certalned, except as far as could be
Judged from his symptoms.
On crosS-examination, he said that
the inlaling OF these gases might have
the effect Of Irritating the lungs, and
causing an inflammation. A person
might have a cold and cough for sew
eral days before pneumonia developed
but he had never known of a case
where pneumonia developed in a well
man within eight hours.
Mr.. Nields said that he would re st
with this witness, and Mr.. Vandegrift
stated TINT he had some witnesses
which he would cali in rebuttaI
he Thought he could soon get through
and was very anxious to do SO.
Mary Hewitt was sworn and testified
that she lives In Recordsvills, Nd and
knew Joshua Williams for many
years.
Upon being asked by Mr.. yandegrift
II she knew Joshua Williams first
wife, Mr.. Nields objected. on the
ground that 1t was not In reply Il
anything that had been brought on {,
The authorities are uniform In assert
ing that an actual marriage must be
proven.
Mr.. Vandegrift said that was exactly
what he intended to prove. and had
the witnesses to do it with MIR
Nields' objection was overruled, and
the witness proceeded.
She said thut she knew Joshua vii.
ltams' first wife. and that she was her
sister, her maiden name being Annie
Hackey. She was still living when
Joshua married Jane Tate, but died
before he married Annie Marie Wi.
llams, the plaintiff. The ceremony be-
tween Joshua and her sister was Der
formed by the Rev. Daniel Reese. a
white Methodist preacher
Mr.. Nields objected, and said that
the records should be produced to
show that this man was an ordained
minister, and had the right to solsm-
nl2e marriage.
Mr.. Nandegrift contended that this
was not necessary, and Mr. Prlekstt
cited a number of authorizes to show
that marriage is legal. whether or
not prescribed forms are followed
Marriage is civil contract that can
be proven at any time by the persons
who were present. Ii the person per
forming tho cermony fultllls the fung-
tons Of minister, the presume.
ton is that he is properly ord ined
de therefore held that as Mary Hewitt
was bridesmaid at the first wedding
she was a competent witness. The
Court without rendering a decision
adjourned at 4.40 o'clock until this
morning.