Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-05
Difficulties in the Family Fully Tes-
titled To.
AVERSION FOR NEAREST RELATIVES
Mrs. OImstead Refused to Recog-
nize Her Grandmother.
MILY IN F E l. &c I 7 Y


she was called shortly before the court adj
journed yesterday afternoon.
When the trial was adjourned yesterday,
Mrs. Webb was being questioned as to the
effect of the proceedings instituted in the
Probate and Equity Courts in 1884, by Mr..
and Mrs Olmstead against her mother, and
her mother and herself, respectively. Mrs.
Webb stated this morning, in response to
the question of her attorney, r. Ross
Perry, that the proceedings caused an es-
arrangement between Mr.. and Mrs. Ohm
stead on the one hand, and her mother and
herself on the other. But upon the objec-
ton of Mr.. Olmsteads counsel. Judge Brad
ley refused to allow Mrs. Webb to state the
charges contained in the proceedings re-
ferred to, ard also refused to allow her to
explain the reasons for instituting the pro-
ceedings To all of such rulings counsel
for Mrs. Webb noted exceptions
Peculiar Conduct.
Mrs. Olmstead. explained Mrs. Webb,was
named after their grandmother, Mrs
Hutchnson's mother, and during the es-
arrangement referred to Mrs. Olmstead
would pass her grandmother on the streets,
refusing to recognize her. After her faith
er's death, said Mrs. Webb, Mr.. Olmstead
frequently endeavored to persuade ner
mother to break Eer (witnessD fathers
will Once, she stated, Mr.. Olmstead, with
the stump of cigar In his mouth $1,000
in an exceedingly offensive manner en-
deavored to compel her mother to agree TO
break the will.
During the estrangement, explained Mrs.
Webb Mrs Olmstead discontinued all COM
munication with her mother and herself
and refused to recognize either of them.
and during an illness of witness Mrs. Ohm
stead. she said. did not even call to inquire
as to her condition. Yet, declared mrs.
Webb Mrs Olmstead was of loving, gen.
tie disposition, and seemed very much re-
iohf tod urha a.
ton followed. But there always remained
after the reconciliation an indescribable re-
straint when the respective parties met.
Mrs Webb then related two or three Incl
dents, which, she thought, showed the domi-
neering authority exercised by Mr.. Ohm
stead over his wife. and stated that on one
occasion. when his wife offered her and a
that beer should be served, when witness
and her cousin withdrew.
Domestic UnpIensnntness.
Although invited by Mrs. Hutchinson to so
do Mr. Olmstead refused to resume the
previous custom of his wife and himself of
dining at Mrs. Hutchinson's home on Sun
days. and Mrs Webb related an incident at
the house after the reconciliation, when,
Mrs Webb explained Mr. Olmstead's abrupt
refusal to participate in an evening repast
caused Mrs. OlmStead to withdraw.
Mr. Perry next endeavored to have Mrs.
Webb explain certain matters connected
with the proceedings instituted by Mr.. and
Mrs. Olmstead. Mr.. Perry's object being, he
explained to show that Mr.. Olmstead failed
to keep a promise to dismiss the proceed
ings Counsel for Mr.. Olmstead. however,
objected on the ground that the testimony
would be immaterial, irrelevant and too re-
mote, and the court sustained the obJec ions.
Mrs. Webb, however, was allowed to state
that on one occasion Mrs. Olmstead refused
to take her mothers word in relation to the
sale of certain piece of property, saying:
81 cannot sign the agreement. for L have
only your word for 1t.
Telephone Henrsay.
Mrs. Webb next told of incident which
occurred at Mrs. Olmstead's home The
day was a beautiful one, explained Mrs.
Webb, and her sister, wishing to drive in a
new carriage, given her by her mother,
telephoned to Mr.. Olmstead for his permits
sion. Although she did not hear of course.
the reply of Mr.. Olmstead, Mrs. Webb said
that her sister failed to obtain the desired
permission, and submissvey drove that day
in her old carriage.
Shortly after Mrs Olmstead's marriage,
said Mrs. Webb. her sister referred to the
fact that picture of Mr. Olmstead's first
wife was hung in her bed room Some
time afterward Mrs. Olmstead told her
that she had become more reconciled to
the picture, and stated that she had been
out decorating the grave of Mr.. Olmstead' s
first wife. Her sister suffered CONFUSION
several weeks before her death. said Mrs.
Webb, and Mr.. Olmstead refused to allow
either her or Mrs. Hutchinson to see her
that day. And after that. declared Mrs.
Webb, neither she her mother were
allowed by Mr.. Olmstead to see his wife
alone. On one occasion, said Mrs. Webb,
Mr.. Olmstead remarked to her mother that
be wished the id relatives" would stay
away.
Telephone Talk Ruled Out.
Because 1t seemed to be immaterial,
Judge Bradley refused to allow Mrs. Webb
to relate a conversation by telephone be-
tween her and a nurse the night of Mrs.
Olmstead's death, although Mr.. Perry ex-
planned that he wished to show that Mr.
Olmstead did not wish to have the witness
or her mother call until the next day al
noon The court. however, permitted Mrs
Webb to say that although she and heI
mother called at the appointed hour they
did not see Mr. Olmstead until that even.
Ing, when he told them that all arrange
ments for the funeral had been fully com
pleted by him. and refused Mrs Hutchin
sons request that her daughter be buried
in a certain dress which her mother haC
given her
They called the next day. said Mrs. Webb
asked to see Mr.. Olmstead. when the nurse
"Dld them that he wished to see no ONT
who was not loved by his wife. That testi
mony Judge Bradley ruled out. however
7n the ground that it did not prove tina
Mr.. Olmstead sent the message, the cour
holding it could only be proved by tn,
nurse. On the objection of Mr.. Olmstead
9errsel. the court also refused to allow
MIS-. WcDD TO TESTIFY as 10 the burial D
Mrs. Olmstead. on the ground that 1t woult
be immaterial
No Rememb rances.
AS tending to show that Mrs. Olmstea
had no reason for failing to remember he
or her mother in the contested will, Mrs
Webb stated that the relations between
them were all that should exist between
mother and er daughters and said tina
her sister was of most lovable and forgiv
ing disposition, gentle and submissive. Mrs
Webb also stated that she knew none Of MI
Olmstead's relatives. and she also state
that her mother. her child or herself ha
never received from Mr.. Olmstead a sngl
article or trinket possessed by Mrs. Ohm
stead, he having even refused, said Mr.:
Webb. to let her have little ring worn b
her sister. which witness desired for he
little daughter.
Describing her sisters physical conditio
from March, 1889. up to and including tn
date of the will. Jure 6. 1889, as being UT
usually weak. listless. miserable, and, at a
times, painful Mrs. Webb was asked whett
err in her opinion Mrs. Olmstead was at tn
time mentally capable of making a vail
will. That Is, explained Mr. Totten, not tina