Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-27
VAN NESS WIDOW.
More RecOllectiOns of the Famous
VIII C0ntesf

More RecOllectfOns of the Famous
Will Contest.
The article by Gene Riley in last Satur-
days Star in regard to the contest over the
estate of Gen. John P. Van Ness made by
Mrs. Conner. who claimed to be Gen. Van
Ness widow, has caused considerable dis
cussion, and an exchange of "reminiscences
In Tuesdays Star was published a letter
signed "Pacolet," the writer claiming that
he was present at the famous trial and as
summing TO correct some Of the statements
made by Gene Riley. Pacolet began his let
ter by saying: Gene Riley, who, suppose
was not present at the trial of the question
OF granting letters of administration on the
estate of Gen. John P. Van Ness in 1885, has
mainly produced the facts OF course. some
or the facts are wanting, etc. 1 was pres
terest in the contest" Mr.. Riley has sent
a reply to The Star, in which he says:
II MI. Pacolet We're present at this trial
IN 1888 he saw and heard what mortal man
mas never seen nor heard before, to wit the
trial of cause in which widow claimed
her share of a deceased husbands estate
eleven years before his death. The tomb
stone record Of John P. Van Ness demise
the cause confirm the grave yard epitaph
and the Supreme Court reports attest his
oeath as occurring upon that date. These
solemn assurances of a fact make Pacolets
time nor you space to further notice mis-
other recollections of things that never hap
pened. If Pac. really attended court in 1885
II is fair to assume he was twenty years old
then. He should be eighty now. l submit
that man at that age should be for future
prospecting instead of a past recollecting."
What One of the Jury Says.
An old resident of the city, writing to The
Star, says: "Pacolet," in reviewing Gene
Rileys Van Ness article, printed in The
Star or the 22d instant, is in the main cor
rect. but probably a slip of the pen is re-
sponsible for difference of over ten years
In the date. Gen. Van Ness died in 1885,
and was buried in the mausoleum between
the Ascension Church and the Washington
City Orphan Asylum, on the south side of
n between 9th and 10th Streets where now
Is located the medical department Of George
town College. The issues as to whether
Mrs. Conner was his lawful widow were
sent to the Circuit Court by Judge N. p
Causin of the Orphans Court in March,
1917, and they were tried at the October
term or the court that year, engaging it
nearly, II not the entire, term, nearly three
months, running to the end of the year. De-
cember 81 The papers, which are among
the files of the clerk of the Supreme Court
OF the District; the National Intelligencer
OF January !, 1913. are corroborated by the
recollection of the venerable Zephaniah
Jones Fesiding now opposite his then resi-
dence on 9th street above L street, who as
a JuIoF, is PROBABLY the only surviving par
ticipant in this lengthy and exciting trial.
MI Jones states that after Mr.. Easily had,
before the jury was sent out, told the court
that he could not be true to his oath IL he
1oiowed the directions of the court, and
colloquy followed, the court was
adjourned TIL the next morning Mr.. Easily
reported with his fellows then, and, on be-
ing questioned by the court again expressed
ms determination not to follow the direc-
tons of the court and was threatened with
punishment in Jail. After a private con-
suitaion by the court and counsel, Mr..
Easily was excused from the jury, and the
piaintifs counsel insisting, the case was
argued and sent to the jury 1t is not true
that the eleven found a verdict against the
widow. but the fact Is that, having been
locked up two or three days, and not hav-
ing agreed, they were discharged The state
ment was made at the time that a majority
favored verdict for the widow. Suisse
Quently the issues We're withdrawn, and
letters of administration issued, under which
the estate was settled. 1t was stated, how
ever, that the widow CD exacted as a con-
siderat!on for the withdrawal of her claim
a deed for a comfortable brick house on Mis-
souri, avenue, then quite fashionable neigh
borhood, though but short distance from
the sluggish canal"