The herald., 1894-09-29
DID SHE MAKE ANOTHER WILL?
Contestants in the Pratt Con.
test on Their Mettle.
They Will Try to Prove Will Made
in 1884.
A Day Taken Up In tho Discussion of
Obj bjsations-Gsnerai Msnsfisid ON
the Stand - Adjourned to
Next Tuesday.

The taking OF testimony in the Pratt
will contest ia fraught with great diff
culties. Every little while an objection
is sprung which brings from QUE to ten
of the lawyers in the case on their feet,
and by the time they get through quot
ing decisions every body, except the man
in the gallery with the camera. is tired.
Such was the case yesterday. The
jury was excused in the morning to dis
ouss point, and in the afternoon was
allowed to be present while point was
discussed.
There were some interesting matters
presented by the contestants yesterday,
the principal thing being an offer to
prove that Mrs. Annie Pratt made will
in 1884, which revoked the will of 1881.
and, as counsel contended, buried it too
deep for the codicil of 1885 ever to re-
vive it.
The day passed without any body seem.
ingly getting hot under the collar, and
confning themselves strictly to business.
Mr.. Hanlon, when court convened,
said that he wanted to put on two wit
nesses out OF their order. as to the value
of the property, they living at distance
and wishing to leave.
Mr.. Alex Campbell said there was no
allegation as to value and it was not
relevant.
Judge CLARK thought it might be nee
essary.
Mr.. White further said that counsel
might agree as to the value in 1881,
but not at the time the codicil was
made. and after conference by counsel
for contestants Mr.. G. l.. Hamlin of
Chico, Butte county, partner of Senator
Perkins in the stock business, was
called.
Mr.. Hamlin resided on ranch near
Chico since 1861 until three years ago,
when he moved into the town. He was
familiar with the Pratt property. and
land values thereabouts from 1884 to
the present time. Hs considered the
value of the Pratt land s35 an acre. No
man could make dollar raising wheat
on the land at the preeent price, ii the
land was given to him. In 1881 he
thought the land was worth about $40
an acre. There is tract OF 900 acres
adjoining that Senator Stanford bought
10 or IL years ago and gave to the uni
versity afterwards. The cross examina-
tion of the witness was brief.
r. NJ. Turner of Oakland testified
that he resided in Butte county from
1868 to 1872. He has ranch there and
he goes there every month and ofte ener.
His land is adjoining the Pratt property.
He thought the land could not have
been sold in June. 1885, for from $50 to
$35 an acre. 1t was worth more in 1881.
Wheat deprecated after that.
Mr.. Turner saw Mrs. Pratt, after hor
sons death. ON the Oakland ferry and
noticed decided change in her. She
was bright and talkative before that
time, but he noticed she was troubled
and did not talk with her very much.
Mrs. Grace Goucher of Los Angeles,
q charming woman, testified that she
knew Mrs. Pratt in 1887 and 1888. She
knew Mrs. GoodsLeed and the various
members OF the family. She visited
Mrs. Goodspesd's home. She saw Mrs.
Pratt in 1892. when she was on her
wedding trip, and once later. The first
time it was in the presence OF the
nurse and the second time in Mrs.
Goodspeed's presence.
Objections being made to this testi-
mony, the same as to the nuree girls,
Miss Gaffney. that it was too remote
from the date of the supposed execution
of the codicil in 1885, the examination
was suspended, the jury was excused
until 2 O'Clock and the counsel argued
the point until the noon hour.
At $3.50 O'Clock, upon the convening
. of court, Judge Clark had not come to
q decision on the pointa raised and wit
nesses were introduced by the contest
ants upon another branch OF the case.
Gen. John Mansfield was called to the
stand and testified as follows:
II reside in this city and have for 20
wears. knew Mrs. Annie Pratt. She
was at my house prior to her death two
years and eight months"
''During that time did you transact
any business for her ?'
81 did,"
"Did you transact general business for
her during that timer
"Only, u portion of the tims."
"Did she have any papers and docu-
ments?"
81 had some in my possession"
"Wsre YOU acting for her in q busi-
ness way"
II was up to the beginning OF guardi.
anship proceedings, Septem ber 16.
1888"
From what source did you ge. the
papers?"
"Soms from her and some from Mrs.
Gross. did not attend TO all OF her
business. Such as she had here, and
when she applied to me-"
''In what capacity ?"
November IA, 1892, she execu ted to
me power OF attorney"
"During the time Mrs. Pratt was at
your house has there come into your
possession or control any other will than
the one offered for probate ?"
Judge Silent-We object, upon the
ground that it Is directed to showing a
lost will, and no such allegation has been
made.
The objection was withdrawn, and
General Mansfield answered:
"There has not"
"You have no such paper in your pos.
session."
II have not"
ibid you make any search for pa.
pers?"
II have. I found nothing in the
shape of a will. The one before the
court was given me some years ago. l
made perfect search. Mrs. Pratt died
at my house and had her personal effects
there"
Charles Mansfeld, son OF General
Mansfield, was sworn: II saw Mrs
Pratt before her death. | have had
none OF her papers in my possession.
have no knowledge of any will except
sha ono filad in this caRe -