The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-02
Members of the Fletcher
Family are Not a Unit.
Some Want Charles Fletcher
and others Do Not.
Matter of Appointment Argued Be-
fore Appellate Court.

| The hearing on the application OF Eliza
beth r. Daily for the appointment OF a
new trustee on the estate OF the late
Joseph Fletcher In place OF Jane Fletcher.
| deceased, attracted large number OF peo-
| pie to the court house this morning.
There are at present two trustees of the
estate. General William Il. Ames and
George A. Wooley and the former is the
general manager OF the large aud success
fully conducted Fletcher Manufacturing
Company's plant at the North End.
IL appeared as soon as the hearing was
begun to-day that there was quite q
difference OF opinion amongst the men,
hers OF the Fletcher family as TO who
should be the third trustee. Cberles j.
Fletcher end dorsed himself on his sister,
Mrs. Mowry's recon mendation for the
position, and Mrs. Daily and Warren and
Henry Fletcher did not approve the
appointment OF their brother, but wanted
James NJ. Scott appointed.
The attorneys IN the case were urusu-
ally sharp and interesting and the court
at the conclusion of the hearing, held the
matter for advisement.
Charles j. Fletcher was called by his
attorneys, Cooke n Angel TO the wit
ness stand, and he testified that ne was a
clerk in Fletcher's works, and in adui-
tion to many other duties carried cast
ings OF the secret mac hinery used In the
works TO different founories. He was
rather categorically questioned on cross
exami nation py Mr.. Boswortn of counsel
for Mrs. Daily, as TO his duties and said
his saiary was 81 day and that he pos
sossed considerable property.
On his direct examination he said there
was no trouble between any mem bers of
the Fletcher family. ana that Mrs. Daily
visited at bis house. To one question put
by Mr.. Bosworth Mr.. Fletcher replied
that he was not a mechanic and did not
understand the secret machinery, and
this led MIR. Bosworth to remark thnt IL
Mr.. Fletcher was he would not be sent
for the castings. The latter said he pur-
chased some of the supplies needed by
the concern.
General Ames testified that he had been
trustee OF the estate for fully 20 years and
while there had been three trustees under
the Will only two of them had been
active and he did not see the ecessity
for the appointment OF third trustee, |
but Il the court thought best to have one
appointed he would simply recommend
some man who would work for the bene-
1t of the estate and of the large plant
which the witness said, had been splen-
didly managed during the recent hard |
times. lie thought Charles Fletcher |
would make good trustee as ho was |
we'll acquainted with the real estate |
owned belonging to the heirs.
On cross-examipatiun he admitted that
Charles Fletcher was In his employ and |
as general manager he could discharge
him. Witness created considerable
laughter by saying that Charles Fletcher
had one excellent quality, namely, when he
did not know what to do he sought good |
advice. Mr.. Bosworth tried to have wit
ness admit that Mr.. Fletcher always
went to him for advice. bat the witness
cleverly showed such was not the case.
Henry Fletcher was the first witness
called by those opposed to Charles
appointment. He knew exact
Iy what his brother Charles did in the
works. but. admitted on crosse xsmins
ton that he did not know as much about
the running OF the mills as did General
A mes. Neither Warren Fletcher nor his
sister, Mrs. DAILY, believed their brother
q su liable person for trustee.
Judge Cooke made the closing argu-
pent In behalf OF the appointment OF
niliar with the affairs OF the company
Ind the estate. and that Charles and Mrs.
Nowry not only controlled one-hsIf of
he estate, but that the death OF Jane
Fletcher gave them two-thirds Of the
line fortieths that belonged to her.
Judge Bosworth urged the spoin TIM ent
" James M. Scotland said he was fav-
,red by all the parties In interest except
Hrs. Mowry and Mr.. Fletcher. He said
hat the court was chiefly interested in
he proper management of the estate of
Ioseph Fletcher.
Thomas q. Green stated that the will
,rovidsd for the appointment of not iess
han two trustees, ana he thought that
I the court thought proper Il would be
veil to let the matter stand over until
he family OF the late Joseph Fletcher
greed on some member Of II to Gil the
At the conclusion OF his re-
marks the court took the papers.
Not only has the estate of the late
ioseph Fletcher . large interest In the
fletcher Manufacturing Company, which
> q corporation but the mem bers OF the