The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-26
RICH WIDOWS LAST DAYS.
CLERG IMAM, LAWYER AND DOCTOR
IN THIS WILL CASE.
Church ana Priest CHER Benonciaries Under
Mrs. Sohnnon's wIl-Lettcrs OF the Priest
TO the Lawyer. and observations OF the
lawNeH h. tha na.,or-Eouslus Content,

Church ana Priest CHIEF Beuenciaries Under
Mrs. Johnnon's V~yiIl-Bettcrs OF the Priest
TO the Lawyer. and Observations OF the
Lawyer By tho Dortor-Couslns Contest.
Peter Condor. tho counsel of the widow Mary
johnson. who left most OF her 5000, 900 estate to
catholic institutions and to the Rev. !. w,
Power. was Ndmined at length yesterday in tho
Surrogate's Court in the contest Of her will
brought by a number OF cousins. Counsel for
the contestants asked Lawyer Condor TO produce
the letters which he had received from Father
Power regarding the will Of Mrs. johnson. Mr..
Condor dcmurrcd. but the Court ruled that tho
letters must be produced. This is one OF them:
FEB. IS, 1897.
my DEAR MIR. CoNDoN: Mary johnson sent
for me yesterday and she was in a worse mood
than ever. You had better see hor tonight and
give her papers as YOU said. Tho longer the
delay the more suspicious sho grows. l got
word from an outside party 10 have no more to
do with hor, as tho talk around is scandalous.
l hope IL may pass over with her, but you must
10 in suro TO sec her. Yours, SC,
81. w. POWER"
A special delivery stamp was upon the en-
velope which incloseI tho letter. Mr.. Condor
said that he understood the words "scandalous
talk" TO relate to transfers Of property pre-
viously ilpdo by Mrs. johnson to Father Power.
Another letter: dated Feb. 20, 1897, read:
VI llEAN MIN. NpN DUN. 4 II l bIAhNb
for a moment yesterday. She says that you
may keep on as usual and that she does not
all. did not see the doctor 10 get his opinion.
Only / am going to Philadelphia to-day, I'd in.
sist on my name coming Off the will or having
all she Is worth TO me or, the Churcn have my
name mixed up with tho business OF her affairs
when they appear to develop such an unusual
amount of trouble. I send these papers signed.
l will 10 back Saturday. Yoyrs, SCI ,.
o.-Did Father Power want the win changed
Al don't think he did. Father Power told mo
that no had q bank book. belonging to Mary
Johnson which he intended giving TO Mary
Mary Kelly was a servant OF Mrs. johnson.
fe s nesSs heard tS I t mary G Johnson GSnaG held S" Fa tSof
Dr.. James J. Williams. who was ono of tho
physicians who attended Mrs. Johnson, when
asked what her ailment was said:
Chronic alcoholism. Besides this she sut'
fered from nervous prostrGtion. brought on par
TALLY by n complication of diseases. Her in
diligence in liquor had weakened her mentally
hensive lest something terrible would happen
to her. Her coordinating. power Was at lines
The physician said that she was suffering
from mclGncholia, and that she had become
the witness made TO the house after the death
OF her brother, stephen LOvejoy. from whom
she got most of her estate. Lawyer Condor was
ness that, notwithstanding all her property, she
could not get money enough to buy a dress,
Once she told ne. said the witness. that a
will had been drawn up for her, but that she
did not know what its provisions were. Sht
said she had tried to get it to see it, but failed. >
Mrs. johnson had told the witness that she
was pressed Tor money on another occasion
when he had advised her to get a horse AM
carriage 50 rs 10 take a drive for her health.
Iawyer tonuon, who was present, replied
" aren't looking for horses. Mrs. Johnson die
not say anything Ia opposition to the statement
OF Condon. hut accepted his declsion mockIy.
Dr. Williams said that Mrs. Johnson had go
into II STATE of rind in which size did not ever
dare TO contradict her servant, Mary Kelly. Il
was Mary Kelly who told the doctor that h,
need not call any more. The doctor did not be
lieve that Mrs. johnson was OF sound mine
when she made the will.
The case was adjourned 10 Dec. 6.