Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-10
Mr.. OHLIN DENIES
Mr.. ONlM DENIES
Objects to Much Testimony Given
in the Holt Case.
Mr.. sFEREgf AND THE WILL
~
Close Cross-Examination Today
of Washington Holt.
THE OTHER WITH SES
THE OTHER WITNESSES

When the trial of the Holt will case was
resumed IN Judge Bradley's court today II
was the general understanding that the
| caVeators would finish some time during
the day. depending somewhat upon the
time consumed by Mr.. Butterworth in the
cross-examination of Mr.. Washington Holt
1t was expected that either this afternoon
| or tomorrow the question would arise as to
| whether the caveatees were to be allowed
| 10 introduce any further testimony In sup
port Oh the senuneness of the handwriting
IN the alleged will. The presence in the
| court room or young Mr.. Sherman and a
| couple OF handwriting experts showed that
MI. Darlington would at least make the at
tempt. 1t will be remembered, however
| lhat IN the opening of the case Judge Brad.
icy held 1t to be incumbent upon the cav
eateeS 10 produce all the evidence in their
RUssession IN support of the handwriting.
rms point was awaited with considerable
| interest by the lawyers about the court
mousse, VINO nave kept a close watch upon
case.
one or the lawyers for the caveatees said
| 10 star reporter this morning that in his
| jury.
Destruction of a VIII.
! "hen court opened this morning Mr..
|
formerly a representative of the safe de-
post company where Judge Holt had a
strong box. He testified as to the exam
| nation that was made of the contents of
the Dox In a search for will. There were
| rev papers of any value in the box. he
salo. ana among these there was no paper
VI documentary nature.
MT. washington d. Holt was then called
| TO the stand for further ton.
In answer to questions from Mr.. Butter
| worth Mr.. Holt said that when Judge Holt
gave the land in Kentucky TO him and
| Mrs. Holt the only cor sderation was the
payment Or the sum of $40. the rest was
love and affection"
Mr. Holt said that he had no idea
whether search was made for will
! prior to his arrival. after the judges death.
Did you aot tell Representative Hit
asked Mr. Butterworth. that you were
satisfied that Judge Hollis papers had been
! gone over, and that you believed Col. Ster-
| EFT had found and destroyed a will?'
.! do not remember to have said any
such thing"
Il the colorel " ere in his cups. and that if
| sympathy wers expressed for the act, he
| might Confess?" Aef
Il do not reeolIect. I was very much
distressed at The time and may have said
things without realizing what 1 was say
ing. l remember, that l had a CONVERSE
| ton with Mr.. Hit but 1 do not recall
Was it about 1.-The destruction of a
| wiIi?' r,....,
firm nor deny It."
MIR. Holt said that when he had that
converse ton he was SO stunned and bewil-
dered that he could hardly have been held
responsible for what he said
Did you offer Colonel Wright, the then
| register of wills. $4v,0oO if he found will?"
Il did"
Did you offer bis assistant the sum Of
$'.OoJ if he could find one?"
tl-N tz1i
Wright that was willing to give $4,000
| II he could find such a Will as 1 believed
had been executed. namely, one that made
| me executor of the estate
when I offered his assistant 5000 I
| remember he said that that sum could not
| be picked up every day. and 1 told him
that didn't think he was going to pick it
| up that day. either
why not?'
Because 1 was convinced that the will
was either lost or destroyed
Did you ever see any such will as you
have described"
Il never did,
Was your uncle tender-hearted man,
and easily moved?"
Yes. l should think he was I remem-
Der very well when that eloquent south
erner, Mr.. Henry w. Grady made his IA
nous Grafton in New York l read it aloud
to my uncle. and 1t brought the tears to his
eyes"
Then he was more easily moved as he
grew older?"
Il do not know that he grew that way as
! he grew older. / know that he was strong
and well at the time have referred to-"
The witness said that when Judge Holt
told him that he had given Miss Hynes
| $4,000 he said that he had given it OUT
right and without any restrctio The
Judge said that the sum ought to be suffi-
Client for all her needs and he believed it
would result in her being treated with
more consideration and respect by her
relatives.
Value of the Estate.
Mr.. Holt. how much did you regard the
estate as WORTH"
about $1SO.OOO."
Later Mr.. ButterW orth said:
Then if such will were in existence
as you have described 1t would give you
Yes SIR
Lets be right about this Mr.. Worth
irgton Interrupted. ''The estate was worth
nearer $2oo.~o or was at one time
THAT'S an event you would be likely to
remember. Is 1t not Mr. Holt?"
Quite so. 1t Is a thing that has not
happened to me very frequently" answered
the witness, dryfy.
Then your uncle told you that YOU were
to be the executor Of his estate so MANY
times that you cannot recall the exact
| date of any one such time?"
That's it exactly
The crosse Xa mination then toni q +,,rn
SO as to bring 1T. around to the matter Of
the will. Wei u
Examine this paper which ia ca11ed :.
will began Mr.. Butterworth.
You may call it will, don't"
piled the witness, quickly
We'll, the paper that we call a will
NOW tell us your reasons for saving that
1t Is not only a forgery but a botch az
Among other things the witness said that
the document was in, no sense a scholarIv
or lawyer-lfke paper. In legal paners ~
said. his uncle always referred to hirnsait
as Joseph Holt Of the city OF Wasbinmtor
District Of Colhmb1a," while in the aifss ua.;
will he is spoken Of as - Holt Of the h.e ci@,
of Washington D. G." The Judge. he saii
vas always azstickler for form a nn SAID .u:
this paper which! p1rports to he q a 1,ii y s
queath large property was drawn p nn
IN the most loose and careless MANS
These facts and a number of otbers in
forgery. 40 81 was
Now Mr.. Ruttefworth asked so,
TACT that the disposition of the nro,
made by this will has sonethinpa operly
with your judgment as to its eenui5or ~ 90 a
Il am reallyf unable to answer 100
question. Mr.. Butterworth. snu,na d
though. that a mans preiuaices ai'o
affect his judgnentmore or 1ess ctu, as
Mr.. Worthinfstone objected TO tbis III
marked that if Mr.. Butterworth 1.a aaiu re-
lecture on psychology and the oner m,io d
Oh the mind, it would be better tn III,
until this trial was over. ~ wait