The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-01-09

Aultman bad resided IN Bhlladclphla. III
was at this time she was married to Mr..
Cornelius Aultman. Her father who was
engaged in the hard coal business, had
| two daughters. Mrs. Aultman, after her
marriage, came to Canton TO reside.
They moved into their residence and lived
there until Christmas, 1884, when Mr.
| Aultman died l need say nothing of
| Mr.. Aultman, as Your Honor is familiar
with his history.
after his death, within q year or so,
Mrs. Aultman proceeded to construct the
residence In which she now resides. She
had inherited some means from her peo-
| pie, which with Mr.. Aultman's proper
| ty, amounted to between 100000 and
| $500, OO0 Money was invested so she
had S220, 600 in Aultman 81 Co., S50 900
| in United States bonds, 500, 900 in bank
stocks, q considerable sum in notes, and
her residence. This investment has sub
stantially remained until the present time
giving her an income of S15, 900 or $50, -
900 year.
"She continued in this way until 1889,
having as her adviser Levi l.. Miller. In
this year occurred the illness, severe
stomach trouble, and her life was de-
SPARED of. Her physical and mental con-
dition was very weak, and continued for
a considerable length OF time. This has
never been denied by Mrs. Aultman or
her counsel
"In 1891 when the apple .tiOn for the
guardian was made, every effort was made
to keep the facts from Mrs Aultman.
The servants were instructed not TO let
her know Of the appointment Of the
guardian. She had heard Of the appoint
mCnt but Mr. Miller always denied he
was her guardian. A reporter finally
lodged the parties who were guarding her
and interviewed her. Nr. Miller again
denied he was the guardian. 1t was af-
forwards claimed her condition was not
such as to permit the knowledge being
given TO her.
Before she went to Philadelphia in
1894 she talked with DIR. H. O. Portmann
in regard to ondowing Aultman hospital
for 800, 600 and leaving the residue of
her estate to establish an old ladies home.
She desired TO change her former will and
was then informed this could not be done
as she had guardian Of her property
and person.
She then instituted procCe lings to re-
move the guardian. Since that time her
condition has greatly improved, and she
is entitled to be restored to the possession
Of her property. We will show by pro-
fcssional and non-profcssional witnesses
that Mrs. Aultman is competent to man
age her affairs.
"Once when Mrs. Aultman went to
Philadelphia to consult experts, she was
shadOwed by a detective every place she
went I don't know the claims Of the
other side, and can't meet rumors regard
ing large expenditures, and conversion to
another religious faith, at this time
In short, we claim this lady is in a
to entitled her to the custody of
her property and her person.
THE GUARDIANS STATEMENT.
Henry W. Harter on behalf Of the
guardian, spoke in substance as follows:
II admit Judge Thayer has omitted
many things, but he made a skillful
statement of his side of the case. The |
simple question is whether Mrs. Ault- |
man can prudently manage her affairs. |
Dr. whether, rs the result of sickness and |
Did age, it would he imprudent to turn |
lver to her the administration of her large |
estate, or any esate, even if it was small. |
g undertake to say they will fail on !
both propositions l have a warm feeling |
or Mrs. Autman, and have as much inter
,st for her real welfare as any of the gen
5lemCn on the other side. 1t is q calamity
md not "A disgrace, if Mrs. Aultman is in
he condition we claim she is If her
mind was serene and calm, as in the old
lays when l knew her so well, she would
rot be here. 1t is her misfortune, not her
lisgrace, that brings her here"
Mr.. HartCr paid high tribute to the
magnificent qualities of Mrs. Aultman
She had wealth, health, and a palatial
lome, with everything to make her happy.
There came change on the day her hus-
)and was stricken down. 1t caused a
hange in her, and it was the saddest
DlOw she will ever know. She invited her
husbands only daughter and her husband
o make their home with her, and they
id 50. Finding she could not live where
Ter husband had died, she went to live
With her dearest friend in Canton, Mrs.
ohm II. Smith. Later she moved into
er own home, and lived very secluded.
II 1889 she was sick unto death, caused
lrgely by her grief. over Mr.. Aultman's
cath. she commenced to improve ply
;ally, much to the surprise of her physi-
ians. AS she grew better physically, she
ecame worse mentally. This was shown
y state of hilarity, followed by forget
illness. She thought she was poor and
cared she might have to go to the aims
ouse. She was very close and penurious.
Vhen in the other state she was hilarious
nd extravagant and would sing and
ance.
" Then came period of impaired power
n reason and lack of Judgment, and T.
hat is the condition we are compelled to
elieve she is in today. Many of the
hings the gentlemen on the other side
ave relied upon as facts, will be found
D he mere imaginary things.
"Go to Toledo and you will find 600 or ,
loIe demented people, walking, riding ,
nd boating. Is there any doubt as to ,
heir being dementedY Not always easy
, determine between a strong and weak ,
lind, but in this case l think the proof ,
ill be overwhelming. :
Mrs Aultman didn't know what her ,
state was, until she secured an attorney,
nd the guardian gave him an inventory. -,
he knew very little about her affairs 1t ,
as been said Mrs. Aultman didn't know
this guardianship This is untrue as !
ne knew of it and talked about it. In !
gard to the notice, such notice was ,
lven to Mrs. Aultman as the probate
ldge ordered He went and told her of
le application for guardian, and when
le matter would be for hearing. There =,
as no trick. / know it has been so !
ated In the papers. Only the other day !
lere was an attempt by the other side, s
nd the parties who gave the alleged will ;
the papers, knew the atement was i,
lse. We then gave the true will. =
"In regard to the detective, IL Mr.. !
iller made any mistake, it was in not
nploying enough detectives. Sarah !
went TO the guardian with a :
, pY, har line aavfpo. ,u.s ,,nao,,n ,,, =