Bridgeton pioneer., 1897-11-25

husband owned. She has three children
living, and also has grandchildren. Her
husband died in May, four years ago.
Sometime after the death, these goods
were set off for her.
Her son lived on the farm and she did
the work until his present wife came to
the house to live and then her son ordered
her away and she told the man to gear up
team and take her away. She went to
her daughters, Mrs. McNabb and then
went from there to live with grand
daughter, Mrs. Fox. Her son would not
allow her to take anything awaysfrom the
house and witness said her son swore at
her and said, "the old -, she shall not
have anything!' She went back to the
house two or three times after her goods,
but the son ordered her away and refused
to let her have single thing in the
house. Mrs. Davis said she made valu-
alton on the goods to the amount of
S42O.1S She never disposed of any of
these goods to any one.
On cross Mr.. Logue
asked Mrs. Davis if she didn't tell parties
that all the household goods belonged to
John. She denied ever telling anyone
they belonged to him. Another question
was that John had gone after her, after
she left and offered her two rooms in the
| house. This she denied and said he had
never done anything of the kind.
Mrs. Lizzie Fox was sworn and said
Mrs. Davis lived with her and she recog-
nized the list of articles she made out for
her grandmother.
Mrs. Hattie Davis, wife of jefferson
Davis, one of the plaintiffs sons, testified
that John never said the goods were his
until after her mother in-law had brought
suit against him. When something was
said to John about her taking the goods,
John remarked, "who in the - is
hindering her from taking the goods ?''
| Witness said her mother-in-law left their
house and went to Mrs. Fox's with her
own free will. There was no trouble.
Jefferson Davis, sworn, said he was the
son of Mary Davis. He corroborated the
testimony of his wife in reference to the
words used when his wife asked John
why he did not deliver the goods to his
mother. Witness said he never enticed
his mother from Johns. He merely
offered her home. He knew about the
goods being set off to her under the sta
tute law, and also knew of John receiv-
ing $l2c0 for his services on the farm.
When his mother left his house it was
not on account of any trouble.
Mrs. Wilhemina Clunn, daughter of
Jefferson Davis, said Mrs. Davis was at
her house awhile and then went to Joel
Fox's. She had heard John curse and
say his mother should never have any.
thing, but [ think she has some of her
clothes now, but none Of the household
goods. When she went after some clothes
John came running out to the wagon and
said she shonld have none of them. He
called his mother "a old - and then
his wife came running out and shook her
fist at Mrs Davis.
On cross examination, Mr.. Logue asked
witness if John called her names and she
quickly retorted mo, and he had better
mott"
Oral Clunn, husband of former witness
was sworn. He corroborated his wife's
testimony.
The plaintiff closed their case,
Mr.. Logue then opened the defense.
Said John Davis was his mothers pet and
they stuck to each other as mother and
son should. The whole family is down
on him. 1t was his idea that she should
have that home the rest of her days, that
she wanted John to have the farm, and
she went to Mrs. McNabb and told her
that she wanted John to have the furni-
ture, and made arrangements with her
that she should receive SlO0 for her share
OF them. 1t was always understood that
John was the owner of the household
goods. She also told Mr.. and Mrs. Hall,
Johns present wife that John was the
owner of all that was in the house, and
that everything in there was his and that
she was to have a home all her life
When she found that she was no longer
| boss of that house she became angry and
| left and went to Mrs. McNabb John
had offered her a home, would give her
two rooms where she could live and that
he would help her. 1t was the Laning
and Fox family against John Davis that
brought 1t all about.
John Davis was sworn and said he
lived in Deerfield, and at the time of his
fathers death lived on the farm and
afterwards, too. When the farm was sold
by order of the Court of Chancery he
bought it. His mother lived there; they
lived together. His mother was lame
and he used to work about the house,
scrub, make beds, etc. Never had any
trouble until after I was married. He
said he never cursed her in his life. L
offered to carry in her wood or do any
thing and she should never want for any
thing if she would stay. She left and
never went after her. She told some
people the day before she left the house
that she would like to hit me in the head
with an axe. Witness said she had an
ungovernable temper. At this point Mrs.
Davis, his mother exclaimed, "No more
than you'll" The Court raped for
silence.
The defense was contradiction of the
whole business, there being witnesses