The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-17
PROVING HER W SANITY.
MISS LYONS SAYS SHE CAN cane
ron HERSELF.
She He "a Years old and n Cheerful
Philosopher Has Talked with God and
some evils FoOiishnc-- aud Wicked-
ness Of Men-IInr n q o Estate.

She H "a Years old and n Cheerful
Has Talked with God and
some Devils FoOiishncs- aud Wick ed
ness OF Men-IIns n 5000 Estate
Miss Frances Lyons. a nimble. bright-eyed
maiden lady, who astounded all who heard hei
when she gave her age as Sc years, appeared Ia
the Supreme Court in Brooklyn yesterday In
proceedings taken for the appointment OF 9
committee OF her person and estate.
Miss Lyons used to live in Pcekskill, In the old
Lyons homestead. About a year ago her
brother died. leaving considerable property, and
John vermilyea was appointed an executor OF
his estate.
Miss Lyons was not satisfied with Vermil-
yeas management of her affairs, 80 she put
things In the hands of Lawyer Smith William
son. The proceedings to have a of
her person and estate appointed were instituted,
and Mr.. Williamson had Miss Lyons come
down to court yesterday for examination.
The first question asked Miss Lyons after she
took the witness stand was whether she had
ever had any trouble with her head.
"Yes, ! have" she replied. "Since my brother
died they have all crowded about me. If
didn't have money the men wouldn't have come
near me-"
Have you talked with God recently ~ asked
counsel.
He has kept me up" replied Miss Lyons.
but rs to business. well. we don't talk business
with God"
But have you seen God lately ~ persisted
the lawyer.
You'd better ask yourself that question:" re-
piled the witness. You're old enough and
ought to know something about it."
But" said the lawyer. you told the doctors
you had seen God. didn't you 7"
"Oh, | don't know what | told the doctors"
replied Miss Lyons. They talked a lot Of fol-
dc-rul stuff to me. | don't know what IL all was.
and I'm sure it don't bother me any,"
Well" asked the lawyer. Have you ever
"Tha | cannot say replied the witness. II
can't always tell whether men are devils or
There was much laughter at this. and then
the lawyer asked Miss Lyons whether she had
"oh. stop that rubbish replied the witness.
II pray Ia. my Heavenly Father every night
and thank Him for His mercies to me during the
but have you seen God -
II have seen Him. and was so happy. | felt
as though | would like to leave this world,
because found so much wickedness and fool
ishness here"
Dana. Miss Lyons replied:
oh. yes. He held up two fingers and said:
five, asking the same question each time. All
Asked what month it was. Miss Lyons replied
that it was clustering March, and IN re;
Spouse to a question as to whether she could
! 'AAhN ~ lf'a'f
ever she was able to get any.
In reply to a question rs to how much she was
worth. Miss Lyons said about 100000.
They want to put II guardian over me. but |
have always managed to take care of my own
AFFAIRS
"Haye you made your will YETI"
brother hadn't been dead u week before old
Coffin wanted me to make a will. He said he'd
help me, but | told him 1t was my will, and |
guessed | knew how to handle 1t best"
Miss Lyons admitted that she was not an edu-
Gated woman. and said that II she could read
and write she'd make it good and lively for
some folks.
In answer to Lawyer Williamson, Miss Lyons
said she was a member OF the old South Meth
od.st Church at Peekskill.
After my brother death" she added, John
Vermilyea told me the estate was all right. and
that he was going to take care of me as long as
| lived. Oh said. I've been taking care OF
you and your wife. and now you say you're going
to take care OF me?' Then. l put my affairs
in Lawyer Williamson's hands. John cried. but
told him he'd cry for more before got through
with him. Then they brought this case for a
guardian against me-"
This ended the examination. and Justice Van
Wyck said he would look into the papers before
rendering a decision.