The herald., 1895-05-09
TIE Late Mrs. Wilson's Re-
markable Ways
PENCHANT FOR STIMULANTS
Tight When Sober and Lavish When
Tight
Mark Leonard, IN Acquaintance of Quarter
Of q Century. Tells the Diary Of
Her Daily Life

The Bridget Wilson will contest case
was resumed yeGterday morning before
Judge Clark in department two of the su-
perior court. The attorneys for the con-
testant, John Wilson, called to the stand
their first witness Mark Leonard, an old
fellow with a jovIal brogue, who explained
that he had lived with the Viii sons in the
capacity of servant for more than
twenty-five years.
He lived at the Wilson mansion on San
Pedro street :with the family until within
few weeks previous to the death OF the
old lady. She had been sick ten or eleven
weeks previous to the accident which re-
suited in her death. The witness had
room in the house and took his meals
which gave him an excellent opportunity
of putting his observant mind to some
use.
When he first made the acquaintance
of the deceased she was the widow La
Rue. Dullng the last twenty years of
oped thirst that was very hard to as
suage. There was hardly day that she
did not drink considerably, and i'll the
afternoon the effects of her potations
would show themselves with conspicuity.
AS time went by her drinking hablts in
wears preceding her death she never was
sober after the sun had passed the mer-
idian.
There was a popularity about Mrs.
Wilson's libations which h S been noticed
in other topers. and that was that booze"
under any name was always welcome.
She had no infatuation for any particular
kind of liquor, but would drink any alco-
holic beverage that came handy. As time
went by it did not take near as much
liquor as it did in the heyday of middle
age to show that she had skate.
Leonard remembered that when Mrs.
Wilson was under 40 she could conceal
great deal of ''pizen" without showing
it. but as she grew old and feeble the
least quantity she imbibed would show
that she was not coming out victorious
in the tug OF war with John Barleeycorn.
John Wilson, the contestant. resided at
the widow La Rue's when Leonard first
knew him. He was blacksmith with
large business. and the deceased attended
to his affairs with him. Witness recol-
lected the time when John bought the cor
ner lot of Main and First streets where
the butcher shop is now situated.
Mrs. Wilson. on the day before she went
to stay at Mike CIlrran's, next door to
the Orpheum, had a conversation with
Leonard. Tha: was several weeks prior to
her death. She said that she had to call
on John McConr.achie's office on busi-
ness. and that of all the places she hated
to 60 to that was the one. Every time
she called he would growl about her
spending habits, and under the circum-
stances She felt very much as if it were
easier to 60 to some one else and borrow
what she needed.
McConnachle commenced doing busi
ness for Mrs. Wilson more than five years
ago, and was frequent caller upon her.
He called about once a week. Mrs. Will
kn ba6 hn dS nj O
tenants to advise them that McConnachie
would thereafter collect the rents. She
told Leonard confidentlally that she did
not know what he did with the money.
and had to pay Attorney Winder 500 to
help the collector keep the accounts
changes in her business as soon as she
got we'll again.
sThe witness, in answer to some ques-
tions put to him, said that when she
drank she became tight. and when she
was that way she would give away
things, but let her be sober and she held
on to her money grimly. She was un-
educated and could neither read nor
write When intoxicated she would fire.
quently drive about in a buggy, and her
conversation became foolish and her de-
meanor silly. But drunk or sober she
never admitted being more nor less than
go. After Mrs. Wilson went to the Cur
rams he was denied admission to the old
woman upon the plea that the doctor had
forbidden her to converse with anyone.
After heonard's cross-examinatiOn the
jury was excused to allow the attorneys
to argue the admissibility of certain les
timony that is to be presented to it. The
court ruled that he would decide upon
these questions as they presented them
selv during the course of the trial.
The case will be resumed this morning
and promises to be spicy and interesting.