The San Francisco call., 1896-06-09
Appeared as a Young Woman
Who Mourned a HuS-
bands Death.
FATHER IN LAWS FAILINGs
Mrs. Bickel's "reminiscences of the
Capitalist Whose Will Is
Now Attacked.


instituted by Emma l.. Parker, the widow
of the testator's deceased son, was re-
sumed in Judge Reynolds court this
morning. Most of the day was taken up
in reading dispositions. Some of them
tended to show that Mrs. Emma Parker
had led rather gay life before marrying
Edward L. Parker, and that she had mas
queraded through the East as Mrs. Brown,
rich young widow from California.
W. E. Crossman, real estate dealer
OF this city, was the only witness called for
the contestant this morning He stated he
had known the late George Parker inti-
mately for many years. On one occasion,
shortly after his return from the East in
the summer of 1892, George Parker came
into his Office and said he was worried over
the disposition of his property, as his son
had married an adventures. Parker said
that his sister, Jane Pomeroy, had in
formed him of the bad moral character of
Mrs. Emma Parker. At that time Ed
ward Parker was sick and his father did
not expect him to recover.
The deposition of DR.. James Campbell,
president of the Board of Health of Hart
ford, Conn, and a member of the Yale
faculty, was read. DR.. Campbell stated
that he had known Edward l.. Parker well
for years. He considered Parker methodl-
CAL business like and of good habits and
he bore that reputation in the COM
munity.
A deposition from John P. Wheeler,
treasurer of the Connecticut Trust and
Safe Deposit Company in Hartford, was
also read, Wheeler testified as to Parker's
good business and personal habits. His
reputation as business man was so good
that on one occasion the bank loaned him
$1,000 on his unsecured note of hand.
Dispositions of e. S. Kippy and w. W.
Walker, grocers of Hartford, Conn, were
read. Both Walker and Kippy were neigh
bors and friends of Edward l.. Parker and
his wife. Both testified as to the cordial
relations between Edward Parker and his
wife. Their character and standing in the
community was considered very good. Par
ker was not extrayagant. w. w. Walker
had gone on Mrs. Emma Parker's bond as
administrative of her husbands estate.
The next deposition was that of w. H.
Birge, who had been employed as book
keeper in Edward L. Parker's shoestore in
Hartford from 1870 to 1876. He saw Mrs.
Parker only once before her marriage.
Then she was known as Mrs. Brown,
rich young widow from California. He
first saw her in Parker's store. After Ed
conversations with Jane Pomeroy. On
several occasions she said she wanted to
separate Edward from his wife, as she did
not regard Mrs. Parker as fit com panion
for Edward. She said she had written to
George Parker all about his sons wife,
and when he came East from California
he would settle the matter. Mrs. Pomeroy
said that Mrs. Emma Parker was schem-
ing adventures and had entrapped Ed
ward into marriage, and that if he did not
leave her his father would disinherit him.
Mrs. Sue Bickel went upon the witness
stand on behalf of the contestants. She
was Mr.. Parker's housekeeper and had al
ready testified in the case. She said:
After Mr.. Parker returned from the
for the worse He was given frequently
to talking to himself. He had a painful
distaste,' as he told me. He com planned
of kidney trouble and I often had to heat
water to relieve him In the nieht. Just
before he went East IN 1893 he told me
that trouble would drive him insane. He
said that once when he was in trouble he
went almost out of mis- mind.
"When ne returned from the East, he
said they held a seance at his sisters
house and his departed wife conversed
with him through the colored medium,
Joe. Mr.. Parker spoke of a great many
mediums, among them Fred Evans. He
brought states home twice, showed them
to me, read them and l read them. He
took copies of the slate messages and sent
the copies to his sister, Jane.
"When the letters came TO him from
Mr.. Lewis in regard to his sons condition,
Mr.. Parker sent them back to his sister
Jane. He said he did not understand
why Mr.. Lewis should be so much inter-
ested in the matter, and if he expected
anything from Jane Pomeroy for his SER
vices be would probably slip up on it,
Letters came from Hartford speaking
kindly in regard to his sons illness, and
Mr.. Parker sent them back to his sister.
In the letters the writer's said they would
keep him informed in regard to his sons
illness.
'Mr. Parker said he was uncertain from
the letters he had received as to what his
sons condition really was. He thought
some of the letters were written under the
influence of his sons wife. do not re-
member that he told me what his condi-
ton was when he made his will. He took
his will to the East with him, and when
he came back he said he had changed his
will so as to take away Eds $4,000, and
the $1,000 income was changed to $500 to
please Jane Pomeroy.
He said he did not intend to give the
Pomeroys anything except that he would
give one of the daughters Normal School
education. He spoke of giving one of the
Pemeroy children, who was lame, cork
leg. The purchase of the cork leg was
suggested by Mr.. Franck. Mr.. Parker
seemed quite put out about it, and he said
Mr.. Pomeroy had money enough to buy
the cork leg himself He remarked that
he would deed the Pomeroy children the
piece of property at the corner of Market
and William streets. He did not say any
thing as to what he would do for Marshal
Pomeroy in the way of leaving him any
thing.
after Ed was taken i'll Mr.. Parker said
the cause Of it was that his son was living
high and burning the candle at both ends.
He said he received information in regard
to his sons wife from Jane Poneroy. Mr..
Parker remarked that he might live with
his son and his sons wife, but not during
Jane or Noah Pomeroy's lives"
The witness was shown photograph of
a young woman. 1t was intiinated by
Judge Patterson that the picture was that
of one of the dancing girls in the troupe |
that G. H. Parker intended to organize.
81 cannot see what relevancy this photo |
graph has in the case" remarked Mr..
Delmas. ''This is a picture of very fine
looking woman. [ do not think it would |
be an evidence of unsound mind for the |