Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-07
OLMSTEAD WILL CASE
A Servant Gives Important Testimony in
Court Today.
The General Line of Proof Showing
and Controlled by Her Husband.

When the Olmstead will case was resumed
this morning Mrs Nesbitt, a cousin of Mrs.
Olmstead, was recalled to the witness stand,
when Mr. Totten asked her in reference to
a meeting between them on Easter Monday,
1889. Mrs Nesbitt stated that Mrs Ohm
stead appeared to be in very wretched
condition of health, speaking in a very
feeble voice:
To Mr. Davis Mrs. Nesbitt said she had
not, she thought, so testified on the first
trial of the case.
Mrs Linda Hutchinson Webb, the con-
testant, was then recalled to the stand and
asked if she could recall any additional ac-
lions of MIR. Olmstead Once, she replied,
when her mother invited him to partake of
oysters he replied. Haven't told you that
l would never eat another mouthful in your
house?" His wife was present said Mrs.
Webb. ard nothing further was said by
any one.
Mr.. Perry asked Mrs Webb if she could
recall another occurrence, or If she could
tell how many times Mrs. Olmstead, alone
or accompanied by her husband, had called
at her mothers house, when Mr.. Wilson
objected. 1emarking that the other side
could not in that way fix their case.
Il note an exception, your honor" re-
marked Mr.. Perry, Ito that remark Of
counsel"
son.
mo; it is too late now" exclaimed Mr..
Perry.
well. them" said Mr.. Wilson, 81 will let
it stand"
Judge Bradley said 1t did not seem to
him that the inquiry should be further con-
tinued in the line suggested. Mrs. Webb
was really the plaintiff in the case; the
case had once before been tried when at
that time and during the present trial am
pie opportunity had been given for the in
PRODUCTION of testimony. He therefore sus
tanned the objection of Mr.. Clmstead's
Mr.. Wilson then brought out In brief
Cross examination the fact that the oyster
Incident occurred in the early summer.
Mrs. Olmstead's Maid.
Counsel for Mrs. Webb next called as
witness Ella c. Nash, young colored
woman. who stated that she was Mrs.
Olmstead's maid during her last illness.
Mrs Olmstead became seriously i'll in early
March, 1889. and about that time witness
learned from DR.. Sewers that she could not
recover. Describing Mrs. Olmsteads phys
ical condition. the witness said she suffer-
ed almost continually from her malady
Bright's disease, and was listless. without
spirits, and frequently suffered from sink
ing spells. In June. about two months pre-
vious to her death, Mrs. Olmstead was at.
tackled by commissions. and after that time
June Is, 1889, Mrs. OlmStead never again
left the house.
Referring to the relations between Mrs
Olmstead and her mother and sister, the
witness said that they were of the most
afectionate character. Previous to Mrs
Olmstead's CONFUSION her mother and sister
experienced no trouble in seeing ner but
after that time they had first to be announc-
ed. Frequently they We're kept waiting a
long time before being allowed by Mr.. Ohm
stead to see his wife. Once she knew Mrs.
Hutchinson was not allowed to see her
She heard Mr.. Olmstead say one day that
while Mrs. olmsteads mother was the prop
er one to see his wife, she was not proper
one He remarked that he did not like Mrs.
Hutchinson and Mrs. Webb and referred to
them as people having ID lot of CAB.
After June 10 neither Mrs. OlmStsad's
mother nor sister ever saw her alone, and
Mr.. Olmstead seldom left the house. Mrs.
Olmstead was frequently in tears and very
respondent. particularly after the 18th of
June. Once when witness permitted Mrs.
Webb's little daughter to see her aunt. Mr..
Olmstead scolded witness for doing So
During her last Illness Mrs. Omstead's
mind, thought the witness. was very weak,
she being unable to read or otherwise in
terest herself. While Mr.. Olmsteads de-
meanor toward his wife was at times af-
fectionate, at other times he was very COM
handing. His manner toward Mrs. Hutch
fnson and Mrs Webb was rough, it was
toward all the servants. Mrs Olmstead's
disposition was very loving and kind. Mr..
Olmstead, said the witness, controlled the
servants and everything in the house. His
wife. she said. had no will of her own and
always did as he told her.
Being asked the direct question If Mrs.
Olmstead. In her opinion was, at the time
of making the will, June 6. 1889. capable of
attending to the business of making a valid
will, of resisting the wishes of her hus-
band, or able to fully understand the
nature and effect of the will, the witness
replied in the negative to the several ques-
TORS.
Mrs. FOrney on the Stand.
The witness was cross-examined by Mr.
Wilson at great length, but nothing ma
terially new was brought out, and, at the
request of counsel on the other side, Mr..
Wilson suspended the cross-examnation in
order to allow Mrs Webbs counsel to call to
the witness stand Mrs. CatharIne A. Forney.
Mrs. Forney stated that she knew Mrs
Olmstead intimately, and said that the
early part of her married life was very
pleasant Mrs. Olmstead dearly loved her
mother and sister and was very fond of
witness, calling her mamma /" and her
mother little mamma"
Mrs. Olmstead, previous to the legal pro-
ceedings instituted against her mother said
Mrs Forney, once came to her saying, I'm
so troubled. I have to do something tomor-
row."
She was not allowed to explain that she
being compelled, as the caveator alleges, to
join In the proceedings against her mother
mother.
The witness said Mrs. Olmstead was of a
gentle, loving and lovable disposition, and
seemed to idolize her husband. Mr. Ohm
stead was to all outward appearances pleas
ant and affectionate, but she thought he
was hard master toward his wife