The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-18
FAMILY FALLING OUT
Brings an Aged Couple Into Judge
El.iott's Court.
TOO OLD TO MIND THEIR AFFAIRS


Properfy-and Want u Guardian AD-
pointed
An old. old story occupied the attention
of the probate court yesterday.
Through the efforts and on the COM
plant Of their daughter, Mrs. Virginia
Stewart, whose husband is an employee If
the Santa Fe offices Of this city. John A.
Young and his wife. Eliza NJ. Young,
who live on Linu creek, sixteen miles
southeast of Topeka, were trial 70
establish whether or not old age had so
destroyed their senses that they we're no
longer able to manage their financial az
fairs without the AID Of "A guardian. They
are aged respectively 81 aud 70. Capt
Joe Waters conducted the case for the
complainant, Mrs. Stewart
Mrs. Young is entirely blind. She is a
very pleasant faced old lady, and when
she gave her testimony the sweetness
and decision of her tones touched pleas
Antly on every heart in the room. She
told it in a clear. Intelligent way, too,
that convinced her hearers that she lad
in her youth been woman Of worth and
I'M diligence. At nearly the end Of the
trial il developed that she is the mother
of NJ A. Young, for many years the aud
itor Of the Santa Fe railroad and a cousin
of Captain Waters. who WAS the attorney
for The opposition ir the case. Her name
was W alters before she married Young.
II WAS the story Of an aged couple who.
during sixty years of their happy mar
red life, had managed through hard
work and economy To save a little prop
erty, the story Of selfish children with
selfish motives, who would prey upon
the parental Indulgence hardly due them.
Mrs stewart claims that The son Luther
Young. who is now living with the old
folks is there for the simple purpose Of
inducing them TO make such disposition
of their property AS shall benefit MIN aud
his family. lie has been gamb il
was alleged, and in his testimony he had
admitted it. lie had lost positions
through il and she did not think he
should be allow ed to weave his influence
around them in such a way that they
would reach poverty in their final years.
Mrs. Stewart disclaims any personal mo-
tives in the case 50 far as she herself is
concerned financially and says that her
parents can make their will tOmorrOw IL
they 50 desire ia any way they see fif.
Several residents Of the Linn creek
neighborhoOd were examined and All
seemed Of the opinion that the aged cou-
pie we're not very we'll able to manage.
their own affairs.
During the entire testimony Of the
other witnesses Mrs. Young seemed anxi-
GUS to say something and il was neces-
sary to stop her great many times. She
had packet OF letters that She desired
the Jury 10 read and that she said would
show that Mrs. Stewards husband had
often suggested that she have n guardian
aDpoin Ell aud that he be- made that
puard.an The son Luther occasionally
leaned forward and whispered in his
mothers ear This was objected TO by
the court but Mrs. Young testified that he
had SIMPLY told her not to get excited
Ii was shown that the mother had bor-
r0wed money ON tho farm and had given
some OF il 10 her son.
s.What mother would not help her son
if he needed helpy" she said "lie has
lone much more for me than any of the
other children have. Oh, 4 wish 1 could
ell YOU how l have been treai Ell az the
hands of YRS. Stewart and my other
daughter Mrs Knox Tney have abused
me snamefully and called me Names"
Mr.. Young Is bent with age aud feeble.
His wife manages the affairs of the house
because as he said with loving pride.
"She is good aud capable woman
lie admitted that his memory is no
good
Ar. Stewart was examined and testified
that he had often advised the old folks
to have guardian appointed, that he
thou ht they had not been able 10 attend
to their own affairs for several years aud
that they had been losing money ON the
farm for Il long time This Mrs. Young
herself cOrrobOrafsd. A large number
II letters were read and they went ~
show that Stewart aud his wife had tried
to get possession Of the farm, always
wanting TO buy or rent 1t. however, that
they had quarrelled with the old folks,
both sides. The letters we're all from
Stewart and his wife 10 the old people
and were IN some Instances tender aud
affecrionate aud at others threatening
aud stormy.
Luther Young tried 10 create a sensa-
ton ny accusing his TWO sisters Of having
stolen his marriage certificate and cir
cularinR the story he Was not married
1t didn't have the desired effect, how
ever.
Mrs Young said she would have no
objection to the appointments Of a guard
ian If il would not cost too much.
The jury which WAS composed OF DR.
w. F. RICHTER. John VI. Wilkerson, A D.
Robbins. w. F. Parker, James G4llett and
Thomas Archer was out little more than
bali an hour and returned A verdict that
both OF the old people should he given
guardian. He has not yet been named
knights AMI Ladies or Seeur1fy-
Members Of Capital Council NO are
requested 10 attend the funeral Or "a
w. c. Conner. wife OF Bro. w. G. Conner
at her late residence sol Clay street at
$3.50 .. n. tomorrow Sunday The
members will meet at the Council room
8 and Quincy 4:30 p m. sharp, 20 pro-
coed to the house in a body Aemoefs