Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-08
MENTALLY SOUND
Witnesses Today Testify That Mr..
Ruppert's Mind Was Ali Right.
TESTIMONY CONTINUED.

A Plumber OF People Who Knew Mr.. Rum
pert Well Say That He Was Competent to
Take Care of His Business Up to His
Death.
The trial Of the RUPERT will case was re-
| sumed this morning before Judge Bradley, the
usual crowd Of witnesses and interested parties
being in attendance.
Mr.. Jos. c. Deming, an insurance adjuster,
was the first witness called this morning. He said
he examined Mr.. Ruppert's store after the fire
in December. 1890. for the purpose of ascertain
ing the loss suffered by Mr.. Rupert. He saw
Mr.. Rupert several times. and he appeared to
feel that his loss was larger than it
really was. Mr.. Rupert claiming that
his loss was s40, 200, and failing to ap-
presiate the fact that his old stock had depre-
ciated in value. Mr.. Rupert not agreeing to
the adjustment, the matter was finally left to
arbitration. In the opinion Of witness the
actual loss was about that found by the ap-
praisers. He saw no change in Mr.. Ruppert's
mental condition, and he seemed perfectly
competent to take care of his own affairs. The
amount Of all the risks amounted to some
To Mr.. Worthington the witness said ten
companies were represented by insurance at
Mr. Ruppert's fire. Mr.. Simon Wolf repre-
senoed five or six Of the companies. Witness
was the sdjuster for those companies, and was
notified Of the fire BY Messrs Wolf and Cohen.
notify their companies of losses. In the De-
cember fire witness did not examine the prom
ises with any view of discovering
the origin Of the FIRE, because he had no sus-
picion Of anything being wrong. He advised
his companies to settle without making any In
nuYYv In tho Ovioin ~ ha ~ Nc
Rupperts character. He did not. to his knowl-
edge. meet the agents Of any Of the other COM
pauies. Mr.. Wolf may have placed the risks OF
all the other eompanies. The adjusters met at
the residence Of Mr.. Rupert. He was sick
then, witness believed.
ARcEITHor METERS rEsrIFrEs
Mr.. John G. Meyers. an architect, testified
that he had known Mr.. Rupert for fifteen
years. He had done good deal Of work for
him. He prepared plans for two buildings
which were begun for Mr.. Rupert about the
middle of July. 1891 Mr.. RUPERT examined
the work on the buildings and seemed unusually
active mentally, there being no change in his
mental condition. Two days before Mr.. Rup-
pert's death he decided back to witness piece
Of property on which he had loaned witness
$1,000, and took in return deed Of trust. Wit
ness believed him Of sound and disposing mind
up to his death.
On cross-examination the witness stated that
for the loan Of 81 900 witness gave Mr.. Rup-
pert an absolute deed, which deed Mr.. Ruppcrt
on record. But he put it on record that very
day, and when witness complained Mr.. Rup-
pert said. "Well. that's business" Witness
met Mr.. Wolf at Mr.. Rupperts house and told
him Of the matter, when Mr.. Wolf said it
should be adjusted at once.
TEE COURT TAXES a HAxp.
Mr.. Worthingten-Why did you apply to Mr..
Wolf?
Witness Bee muse believed he had intimate
business relations with Mr.. Rupert.
Mr.. Worthington-How did you know that?
Witness-Well, saw Mr.. Wolf come out Of
the house.
Mr.. worthington-weN, you did not see any
business relation in that?
Judge Bradley think that question friv-
olous one.
Mr.; worthinston-1 thank your honor for
the observation.
Judge Bradey-weu, I trust you win OBJ
serve it.
Mr.. worthington-Iwi will endeavor to do 50,
your honor.
Mr.. woIFs PARTNER.
Mr.. Meyer Cohen, the son-in-law Of Mr..
Simon WOLF, testified that he had known Mr..
Rupert for about ten years. Mr.. Wolf in
formed him that he WAS wanted to witness Mr..
Ruppert's signature 20 the codici. He went
to Mr.. Ruppert's residence, then went for Mr.,
John Vogt He was not in. Witness returned,
and with the others witnessed Mr.. Ruppert's
signature, Mr.. Vogt and witness both asking
him if he knew what be was doing, when he re-
Piled yes. Mr.. Wolf handed Mr.. Rupper. the
papers, and he glanced over them before sign
ing. At the May fire Mr.. Rupert had
1885, insurance, and the loss was 692. OO0
At the December fire the insurance was less
than that amount Witness observed to Mr.
Rupert that the loss through the December
fire was not IS great a. he (Ruppert) imagined.
The loss could not be agreed upon and an ap-
prsisement was determined on Witness noticed
no change in Mr.. Ruppert's mental condition
HIM capable to execute q valid deed and con-
tract
To Mr.. Worthington the witness stated that
Mr.. Wolf requested him to go for Mr. vogt
Mr.. Vogt took the papers out of his (Wolfs)
pocket. Mrs. Wiegman, Mrs. Chris. Rupert
ana MN. Aug. Ruppert were there.
THE FIRE.
Mr.. Cohen said he investigated the probable
origin of the fire. but could learn nothing. Hea
discussed its origin with Mr.. Deming, who said
it was one Of those inexp,icable things. Mr..
Rupert said the store had been closed the
night of the fire at the usual time. about 10
O'Clock. and that Mr.. Upperman was the last one
to leave 1t. Witness first learned in the daily
press that he was named as one OF the trustees
In Mr.. Ruppert's will.
To Mr.. Mattingly the witness said that Mr..
Wolf on the day of Mr. Ruppert's death, being
about to leave for New York. handed Witness
some papers, telling him that they were the
will and codieils Of Mr.. Rupert. and asking
him to seal them up and at the death Of Mr.
Rupert TO file them with the register of wills,
which instructions witness fully observed.
To Mr.. Worthington the witness said that
Mr.. Wolf explained that Mr. johnson had
handed him the will and oodicils, with the re-
quest that they be filed.
KNEW HIM WELL
Mr.. Charles Albert said he had known Mr.
Rupert from 1868 until his death. both in a
personal and business way. Last saw him
about three weeks before his death on the
street. Also saw him shortly After the Decem.