The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-27
THOS. F. WEST
ON THE STAND.
Respondents Testimony
a Shock TO Mrs. West.
SHE CRIES OUT In COURT.
He Claims He Worked For the Best
Interest of The Estate.
SHE CRIES OUT In COURT.
HE EXPLAINS The BOOK ACCOUNT

removal of Thomas /. West as admins
traitor on the estate of the late George j.
West was continued in the Municipal
Court this morning.
During the testimony of the respondent
Thomas L. West, it was apparent that his
story was one which caused much pain
to the widow of the deceased and quite
little excitemsnt was caused by Mrs
West becoming hysterical over some Of
his statements. Mrs. West became so
excited that she had TO ne led from the
court room by friends.
Attorney Doran completed his testi-
mony and made reference to the litigation
now pending in court in relation 10 the
Ambrose II. West estate.
In answer to Attorney Patton Attorney
Conley said ne did not tell Mrs. Bufing-
ton not TO pay any money TO lhomas /.
West
Miss Connelly, the first witness for the
defence who Is stenographer in the west
Office, testified thas Mrs West came 10 the
office and made herself very free. There
was no objection 10 Dirs West leaving
access to the Office. After Mrs. West
brought her attorney 10 the Office there
was a change IN Thomas Il. Vests man
ner. She did not hear him use any IN
of accounts. letters, etc. were near the
desk where they could be easily examined
as the desk has never been closed.
On cross examination Miss Connolly
admitted that Mrs. West had 10 wait If
Mr.. West was not in the oilics and that
the private Office was closed when Mr..
West was not present. She did not know
why all the books had not been taken to
Mr.. Patton's oifCe.
Mr.. Thomas +. West the respondent.
testified to his appointment as admins
traitor on tho estate of George u. West,
which he said consisted Of mortgages, per-
sonal property and oitco furniture. Some
mortgages had not been transferred TO the
estate at that time and OF the property
reported upon the appraisers placed a
value of S75. 095. The property described
is now in the bank and in his possession.
When Mrs. West came home he aid
everything he could for her. He said that
the first time she came TO the oiilcs he
exb bited all the papers TO her ana locked
her in the office that she might inspect
the papers. When she was appointed he
told her he would look after everything.
He explained the McMaugh case by say
ing that be did not feel justified in pay
ing money from the estate for the settle
ment Of the case.
He carried the securities and other
papers 10 the house for the inspection of
possession OF them. Mrs West has every
thing belonging TO tho estate with the
exception of three mortgages the BuihnR-
ton, Mcguire an1 McKenna estate.
MIR. West said that Mrs West was now
collect ting the interests. He enumerated
moneys received by him. Mr.. West denied
that he told Mrs Burlington that Mrs
West would be picking cinders before he
got through with her. ~ He denied that
he tried TO get $500 from Mrs. Brohassy
on the kelt mortgage.
Mr. West claimed that Mrs. West knew
all about the Benson transaction. All
bills of the estate were being sent 10 him.
In relation 10 the foreclosure OF the y Con-
nor mortgage be said he acted on advise
of friends who said the place was going
to ruin. The bill OF sale was made To him
and he did not think the West estate
suffered. He said he always had ana
always would have the most profound
respect for Mrs. West.
In regard TO the Alexander money he
said be refused to give it To her because
it was trust money and she said II ho uld
not give il they would part and they
parted.
Mrs. West was told everything she
wished TO know and he kept no informa-
ton from her. Mrs. West had book
case removed from the Office To her house
and that her boy Albert, took type
WrltSr nOulo.
MIR West said that he had collected
about $500 for the estate and had expended
over Sl2C0. lie then presented state-
ment Of tho accounts on the books, and
explsined why they were not worth their
face value lie described the three visits
of ATTORNEY Doan 10 his office and said
that the reason hs did not exhibit the
contents of the safe was that he did not
have time when the attorney called.
ON cross examination 4. L. West said that
the Benson prouerty was III the possession
of ths West heirs and that in the transac-
tion he lost money personally. The
money he received from the estate he had
expended in settling court fees and other
iDCldentalS
lie said Mrs. West was mistaken when
she said ne collected money and did not
acc u ant her Of the fact He stated thai
the statements made by Mrs Burlington
were uuqualiiiedly false.
MIR. Wost also denied that he told Mrs.
Monahan not TO pay any money 10 Mrs
West. Ito denied ~ no told Mr.. Dol n
that ho was fool for giving all the
papers To Mrs. West. Mr.. West said .
could not give offhand n list Of BIS
expenditures, but tho court snid he could
submit list before the hearing CLOSED.
no SAID that the moneys received were
deposited in the name Of the joint ad-
mInisiTatJrs of tho estate.