The herald., 1894-10-06
WITNESSES OF ANOTHER KIND.
The Petitioners Trying to Show
Mrs. Pratt Was Sane.
A Refreshing Dialogue Between Mrs.
Wakefield and Col. Wells.
The Contestants Close tho Introd uction
of Testimony aud Petitioners for
tho VIII Start Their
Ball Rolling.

test finished their introduction of testi-
mony late yesterday afternoon upon the
subject OF the mental condition of Mrs.
Annie A. Pratt. deceased, and whether
or not there was any undue influence
exercised by the family of Gen. John
Mansfield and others in the making Of
her will.
There were few incidents out Of the
ordinary in the days proceedings, aside
from the snappy responses OF Mrs, Wakes
field to Colonel Wells cross examination.
The will, which is under examins-
ton, was introduced. and the other eide
began to place witnesses on the stand to
controvert the position taken by the
contestants.
Mrs. Goodspeed, who had been on
the stand at adjournment Monday, WAS
recalled on cross examination, and
Judge Campbell handed her letter
written by General Mansfield to her in
reply to one she wrote to her mother in
Los Angeles.
Judge Silent said that Mrs. Goodspeed
had Daid that the letters written by her
to her mother were answered by Mrs.
| OIOoo, huQ III tule loblOI o0nclht
field explains why he answered the let
ter referred to.
| Judge Clark sustained an objection to
the introduction of the letter.
| In response to questions by Mr.
! Campbell, Mrs. Goodspeed replied that
she had conversation with General
Mansfield in Auguet, 1898, in which she
| asked him where the will was and hs
replied that he had ii. She denied that
she spoke to him about the Photographic
will.
| On redirect examination, Mrs. Good
speed said she was never allowed to see
her mother alone while she was st Mrs.
! Manstield's. She asked Mrs. Mansfield
to see her alone, but the request was
refused.
Mrs. Wakefield was called by Mr..
| Hanlon.
"Dd you see Mrs. Pratt after June.
1852" was asked.
Colonel Wells objected, snsisting that
| the witness had been asked very fully
about the time referred to, but after
some discussion. which Mrs. Wakefield
smiingly followed, the objection was
, overruled, saying there seemed to be
some doubt abont il.
Mrs. Wakefield answered that she did,
and talked to her up to 1890, perhaps
aiterward; several times after Charles'
deRLh.
What ia your opinion as to Mrs.
Pratt's mental condition after her sons
death"
''L think she was OF unsound mind
after his death; she kept constantly fsil-
ing"
There was equabble over All attempt
/ hu NJ Honlon to OF
tone the witness had with Mrs. Pratt
which led her to believe Mrs. Pratt was
OF unsound mind. The questions we're
! finally allowed, but Mrs. Wakefield
could no. remember particular converse
tions.
On cross examination Colonel Wells
attempted to get Mrs. Wakefield TO re-
member the times she saw Mre. Pratt
after her sons death, but she could not
be perBuaded to say more than that she
SAW her frequently.
"What are you trying to get at7" she
inquired.
Il am trying to get at the truth"
"Well, sir" replied the witness ex-
citedly, II am telling the truth and ex-
pect to tell the truth, and you can't get
me to tell anything but the truth"
THAT is what desire, madam"
II will not say that l remember q
/ date when | do not"
| No further questions were asked Mrs.
! Wakefield and she left the stand con-
siderably rufflsd by her encounter with
Colonel Wells.
Mr.. White offered petitions for the
guardianship of Mrs. Pratt in the fall of
1898 by Mrs. Goodspeed, E. l.. Camp
bell, guardian, and Mira. Anah Mans-
field, but the proponents admitted that
che WAS then Of unsound mind, anG
| then announced that the contestants
rested.
A motion WAS made by the petitioners
for the probate OF the will for the court
to withdraw certain issues from the con-
| sideration Of the jury.
After some discussion Judge Clark
ruled that il the contestants had not
alleged undue influence it would be
different, and ii they did and had not
proved il the question of fraud and un-
| due influence might be eliminated, but
the motion at this time was premature,
and it was denied.
The first Witness called by the petit
TONERS was DR.. James Surnam of Port
land, Ore. He had known Mrs. Pratt
intimately in San Frauciaco, whore ne
was frequently at her homo. He was
introduced TO her 10 years ago by Mr..
Gross. Mrs. Pratt told him. while in
San Francisco, to always make her house
his home. Afterwards he corresponded
with her. and did 30 up TO 1890. He
saw her in January. 1898. at General
Mans6eld's. The will WAS handed to
the witness and he testified that it was
in her handwriting; also that OF the
codicil.
Judge Campbell then read the will to
the jury and resumed his examination
OF the witness.
DR.. Surnam testified that during all
the time he knew Mrs. Pratt, in his
opinion, she was OF sound mind, even in
! January, 1898. He conversed with her
at General Manstield's, and, while she
was physically weak and lacked mental
energy, che was mentally clear. From
! the correspondence he had with her in
previous years, he was OF the opinion
| that Bhe was OF rational mind.
The daily adjournment was taken be-
fore the crosa-examination was con-
| cluded.
Millions for Defonse