The morning times., 1897-02-19
MRS. VAN R|SW|Ck's MIND
Her Doctor Testified That 1t
Was Strong and Vigorous.
HEALTHY FOR HER OLD AGE
Mrs Shugrue, a Niece of the Testa-
trix. Told of the I.atter's Pleas
ant Relations With the Iamberts
Other Testimony Adduced To Show
Her Positive Turn OF Mind.

DR.. w. w. Johnston was the important
witness of the morning session of the
hearing in the Van Riswick will case yes
terday. He was the attending phy sician
OF Mrs. Mary Van Riswick both in her
last Illness and at the time she had the
grip The last Illness, he thought, was
nos at all dangerous and had no effect
on her mind. He thought she was very
independent, Strong-minded woman.
Judge Wilson asked Dr. Johnston if he
recollected Miss May Cleary, and then,
reading Il pant of the young lady's testi-
mony, asked the witness II lie remembered
coming into the sick room and saying
to Mrs. Van Riswck: You look worried
this morning have you anything worry
ing your
And 90 you remember" asked the
lawyer, that she replied, No, Wilton
attends 10 all my business; | don't have
anything 10 trouble me now Since have
become old and my faculties have be-
come bluntcd l don't have anything 10
worry me, because Wilton attends TO all
my business?
DI. Johnston thought moment and
responded Il am quite sule there " as
Eo5hing OF that kind. She was too ill.,"
The physician was almost certain that
he was not present at the death of Mrs.
Van Riswick, but on eros discrimination,
when Attorney Warrington called his
attention To certain details, he rrmem-
bered distinctly that he was present when
she died
In response to query from Judge Ne
Comas, DR. Johnston asserted that not
withstanding Mrs. Van Riswick was sew
enty-siX years old, she was per son who
for her age was in very good health.
She was an unusually strong woman, and
had TO disease Of the organs Her mind
was clear and strong
DR.. Johnston was preceded on the stand
by Mrs. Laura Shugrue. a niece Of MIS-
Van Riswick, who testified 10 the pleasant
relations between the Lamberts and Mrs
Van Riswick Charles A. Prescott thought
the deceased had been very sound
minded business woman.
Mr. John A Wiedershan, a patent Mt
torney, said that on one occasion, when
Mrs. Van Riswick was admiring Wilton,
she remarked that Van View was TO be
his. She thought great deal OF her
grandson, who at that time was only a
lad Mr. Wiedershain thought the old lady
was a woman Of very positive nature
and strong mind.
j. II. Anderson, who worked at Van
View for Mrs. Van Riswick, told the
jury that his employer was a woman OF
strong mind and in his characteristic man
ner, asserted, Il don't think anybody
could regulate her
j. d. Grimes was a very productive wit
ness a far as evidence was concerned.
He was overseer at Van View from Janu-
ary, S92 and had heard Mrs. Van RiSwick
say that the property was 10 go TO Wilton.
He thought Mrs. Van RiSwick was very
independent and strong minded woman and
one whom nobody could influence.
Mr.. Worthington, cross examining, pro-
| duced some Notwithstanding paper and
asked Mr. Grimes if he remembered having
been called on by Miss Cleary and Miss
Rel Mr.. Grimes had already testified
to this under his direct examination and
| admitted telling them that he could do
their side no good
| Ibid You not call on Mr. Carr in
Heiskell MacLerans office" asked tie
| lawyer, and Grimes acknowledged that
| W Ben ne ledIIetl ttlhJ titN " dtlISu 10 Stc
him he had called 10 see Mr.. Carr and
ask him what lie wanted.
| Now / want to ask YOU about making
! this statement TO Mr.. Carr stated Mr..
Worthington. and counsel for Mr. Lambert
| objected The court allowed the reading
of the paper. and Mr.. Worthington asked:
Ibid you tell Mr.. Carr that Mrs. Van
! Riswick was under the control of Will
ton, and that the only time she ever acted
independently was when he rode horse
| contrary TO her desire. and she had re-
marked that Van View belonged 10 her
and she would do as she pleased?'
Grimes denied such assertion.
Ibid you tell him that Mrs. Van Riswick
had said that Van View was to go TO her
| two daughters?'
| Again the witness responded negatively.
| Not satisfied with this, Mr.. Worthington
repeated each question, and asked Grimes
| if he had told that to Miss Cleary or Miss
| Bell.
mo: no: don't remember that I did"
| We'll, did you tell them?" persisted
| the lawyer.
NO; don't remember"
Answer me; did you tell them?"
mo; Miss Rell did the telling was
| the response.
This was late the afternoon and the re-
! direct was not begun. The case will be
resumed next Monday morning