The herald., 1894-10-04
TESTIMONY OF ANOTHER WILL
Attorney Hanlon Swears That
Mrs. Pratt Made One.
Also That He Gave 1t to Mrs. Pratt
or Mrs. Cross.
A witness Says Mrs. Mansield Gave
MRS. Pratt Oh swing Gum to Keep
Her Busy-Mrs. Pratts
Mental Condition.

The Pratt will contest yesterday was
finally resumed in Judge Clark's court.
sn6 the contestants made progress in
the introduction OF testimony. Under
Judge Clark's ruling they were permit
ted to INTRODUCES testimony relative to
Mrs. Annie A. Pratt's mental condition
later than 1881 or 1885. the date of the
will and codicil in court, and showed
that che made will in 1884 revoking
the will offered for probate.
Mrs. Goucher was recalled, and was
asked If she had looked up memorsn-
dunn to tell definitely the years ahe first
met Mrs. Pratt.
She replied that she first went east in
1886, and she met Mrs. Pratt before that.
She was gone east three months, and
met her afterwards intimately, meeting
her at Mrs. Goodgpeed's. Mrs. Goucher
also saw Mrs. Pratt in Los Angeles in
March, 1892. She went up on the porch
ct General Mansfeld's and saw Mrs.
Pratt and the nurse there. Mrs. Pratt
did not know her at first, but when Mrs.
Gouoher asked hsr if she didn't know
Grace (Mrs. Goucher) Mrs. Pratt replied
that she did, and asked her how Mrs.
Goodspeed and the children were. Mrs.
Mansfield came out on the porch and
told Mrs. Goucher not to speak to Mira.
Pratt of Mrs. Goodspeed and her chill.
dren. Mrs. Goucher asked Mre. Pratt
what kind of a Christmas che had had,
and she did not know until she had
asked Mrs. Mansfield, and then che ro-
piled that it was q pleasant one.
Mrs. Pratt acted in ON absent-minded
manner, looking at one witch q vacant
gtare. She would ask ore question and
forget that she had said it. and was just
like child.
At Mrs. Goodspeed's the witness said
Mrs. Pratt could not find her way
around.
In March, 1892, and between Christ
mas and New Years, 1892, the witness
considered that Mrs. Pratt's mind was
oil gone, and during the years 1887,
1888 aud 1889 that she was OF unsound
mind.
Mrs. DeForrest was recalled, and said
that che called to see Mrs. Pratt twice
on Goff street, but did not know what
year it was. ''I saw Mrs. Pratt ire
quently," che said, latter June 3. 1885.
In the years 1856, 1887 and 1888 Mrs.
Pratt's mind grew weaker, in my opin-
ion. every time | saw her, until at last
she could no longer visit me. When
she visited me she often talked about
her troubles; and she said on one occa-
sion that she thought living trouble
was the worst. She said her memory
was poor she seemed to feel she was
growing weaker, snd ehe finally quit
coming altogether. She was distressed
over the loss OF her husband and the
Ia. L. ~f
visit she had received that dav from her
husband, Judge 0. G. Pratt, and said
she was go nervous she could scarcely
talk. She sat down in chair by the
door and cried for nearly an hour. She
told me on that occasion of the particu-
lara of her divorce"
Attorney Charles F. Hanlon then
took the stand and testified: "Have
been praoticing law seventeen or
eighteen years. Knew Mrs. Pratt;
transacted some business for her in 1884.
| drew and attested will for her in that
year, at her request with Mr.. Delmar,
now in Lonuon, and Mr.. Cornell now in
Los Angeles. gave that will to either
Mrs. Pratt or to Mrs. Cross. l have
forgotten which. | 90 not know how
long had the will in my possession. I
have no knowledge where that will is
now. The will was attested to in the
presence OF Mrs. Pratt and the wit
nesses. all signing it at her request. She
signed 1t in our presence, and declared
1t to be her last will. After che signed
the will. on being asked by me if that
was her last will and testament abe said
1t was. | delivered certain papers to
Mrs. Gross in 1888 which belonged to
her sister which che said Mrs. Pratt
wanted. Those papers contained some
tax receipts and some rough drafts OF
the will l had made for Mrs. Pratt.
Mr.. Cornell and Mr.. Dslmar were the
witnesses. Mr.. Cornell is here as a wit
ness now. l have no interest in this
case except my fee, which depends on
the result of this case. have written
contract to that effect with Mrs. Good
speed. 1t is in my safe in San Fran
CISCO"
Haven't you received one.tenth in
teYest by deed of conveyance to O lot of
real property situated in Butte county,
in this state, executed to you by Mrs.
Goodspeed on March IL, 1894. in con-
sideration OF your services as her attor-
ney in this case ?" asked Judge Camp
bell.
sI will state that have deed from
Mrs. Goodspeed for q small interest in
cetain lands in Butte county, but 1t has
nothing to do with this case at all"
Judge Campbell presented and filed
as an exhibit q certified copy OF the deed
he referred to.
At the afternoon session Mr.. Hanlon
was still ON the stand under cross exam
ination and in reply to questions by Mr..
Wells answered:
'Mrs. Goodspeod decided TO me also
a small interest in other property for
services in other matters. having moth
ing to do with the estate"
Mrs. Gross you say in 1888 got some
papers from your"
"Yes sir."