Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-12-07

The Verdict Also Nullides All Wills, Codi-
ellis, Deeds of Trust and COnveyances
Executed by Him During the Past Year.
The Old Man Probably Not So Rich ns
Was thought. But still Very Well Fixed.
ecialcorrespondence Of Gazette and Journal
DOVER, Dec. 2.-rhe Harris luIacy court
reassembled at 1918 yesterday morning.
The interest is still unabated and many
prominent citizens were present
John b. Pennington, counsel for the de-
fence, addressed the jury on the different
phases of insanity and quoted authorities.
w. II. Spruance was not present, but his
colleague, Il, G. Bradford, was on hand
and took part.
Daniel NJ, Ridgely was the first witness
called. He said he knew Charles Harris
very well and had taken his meals at the
same hotel during the winter OF 1890 and
'01 while serving as n member of the
General Assembly. He said he had con-
yersed with him many times and con-
sdered him of sound mind and good busi-
ness qualities. He also said that he saw
Mr.. Harris at Capt. Bonsall's boarding
house, October Sd, just after the sheriff
had served notice upon him in regard to
the present trial.
The old man said they were trying to
lock him up and if they succeeded it would
kill him. He further said that he was
BebblilH Olu anu lluic Nub tLOublc ONCA mo
money matters.
He gave Samuel w. Hall that power of
attorney to get S32 900 in water bonds so
that he could place money where he
wanted it to go. He intended giving
Charles II. Butler s2l,0cU, Thomas 5.
Clarke 5000 and the balance to friends
in Virginia.
He told the witness that Butler was kind
to him. and at Captain Bonsalls he was
we'll satisfied and did not want to be dis
turbed.
Mr.. Bird then asked Mr. Ridgely if he
thought Mr.. Harris of unsound mind. Mr.
Smithers objected to the question upon the
ground that the witness was not a physi-
cian or expert and therefore was not COM
petent to give an opinion. Witness was to
state the facts and let the jury draw its
own conclusion.
Question was withdrawn for the present.
Witness said he saw Mr.. Harris two
weeks ago, when he inquired regarding
the health of the witness father. MIR.
Ridgely said that Dir. Bishop told his wife
that Mr.. Harris was as sound and sane as
any one. DIR. Bishop in his testimony said
he had no recollection of making such a
statement.
Mr. Harris said in conversation with
the witness that Butler did not keep him
full of whisky, aud had not used undue
influence over him.
This after reports to that effect had been
published in the newspapers and Mr..
Harris said he was going to write letter
Of contradiction.
Mr.. Ridgely was put through severe
REORGANIZATION by Mr.. Smithers.
The next witness called was John @.
Pennewill. clerk in the. register OF wills
office. He said he had known Mr. Harris
ever since lie came TO Dover, but particu-
larly since he was postmaster, six or seven
years ago.
He said Mr. Harris had considerable mail
matter and conducted it in business-like
manner, and considered him very sharp
and shrewd man.
He said he saw Mr.. Harris in April last
and he told him (the witness) thar he had
made his will in 1865, and had made codi-
ellis since and wanted them to stand, but
doubted if they would. He sent for the
witness to tell him that he wanted it to
stand. Butler was out of the room at the
time Miss McPhail was in the next room
and the connecting door was open.
Harris said his niece was crazy or the
substance Of this meaning. Witness next
saw him in September last at Captain Bon
Sails, when Butler called to him upon the
street to come up. Harris was sitting up
and invited the witness to sit down and
talk, which they did upon general subjects.
He asked how the witness daughter
Fannie was, who had often waited upon
him at the post-oilice.
John Wesley Brown, who was nurse
for Mr.. Harris in 1885, when he was
afflicted with carbuncle was the next
witness. He testified that he had seen
M MIR. Harris off and on until within year
r ago. He saw him last July at Captain
Bonsalfs, when Mr.. Harris asked him
what he was doing and how he was get
ting along. He saw him again III August.
when he took him some wine FOR stomach
trouble. Saw him again about September
list. when Mr.. Harris asked him to have a
smoke. Witness said when the old man
was sick he would never go to sleep until
midnight, when be would eat aud drink
sNnetning. He would ask for this off and
on, but not more than three times when
sleep would ensue. Witness said he con.
sidered Harris of sound mind and OF good
business judgment.
On ncross-examination he was asked how
he came to take so much interest in the
# old man so recently. He said it must be
known he went there to borrow some
W piled in the negative. A general laugh
"A Followed as counsel remarked that this
must have been his reason for testifying
n that Mr. Harris had good Judgment in
~ business affairs.
q Henry Krichbaum, barber, swore that
Mr. Harris mad been one of his patrons fol
M d long time. He had been shaving hin
since he went to Capt. Bonsall's once OF
II twice week. Mr.. Harris told him how
he was pleased with the work and talket
IN general way, lie sald he shaved Mr.
II Harris this morning and lie talked as Ia,
n usually did. Witness considers him abou
W the same us he was eighteen months ago
n ron cross examination the witness saiC
he asked Mr.. Harris three questions Will,
Il shaving him, but could not remembe
N what he said.
n Watson Broadway was called and sworn
but court adjourned.
"a DOVER, Dec. 4.-rhe Harris lunacl
i court met at 1920 o'clock yesterda,
i morning, when Benjamin Simmon
n ,swore he had known Harris since tn
n spring of 1891. Witness is bartender a
u Capitol Hotel and attends to the uiic
In attimes. Harris generally gave witnes
III his letters to mail, also kilograms to b
III sent. Harris always gave the righ
4 change to send the kilograms. He wit
messed codicils for Harris upon three o
NJ four occasions. He considered him Q
II aonnd mind.
I 3William N. Boggs, teller of the Firs
National Bank, said he had know
Harris ever since he has been in til
bank, which has been for several year
a past. Harris employed witness in 1SS
i to do some copying. Harris alway
4 wrote the letters and witness copie
them for him. Harris would alway
compare the copy with the original. II
asked the old man to contribute to th
fire company and he gave him $5, senC