Evening star., 1897-02-04
MRS. CARR TESTIFIES
Continued Hearing Of the Van Ris-
wick Case.
AFFECTION FOR her MOTHER
The Relations Between the Two
Sisters Explained.
SLOW PROGRESS

Mrs. Martina Carr. who is contesting the
will of her mother, the late Mary Van Ris-
wick. charging that it was procured through
undue influence practiced upon her by her
grandson, Wilton ]. Lambert, a son of Mr.
Tallmadge A. Lambert, took the witness
stand In her own behalf in the trial of the
case before Judge McComas in Circuit
Court No yesterday afternoon. after The
Stars report of the trial closed
Mrs. Carr detailed the life of the family,
stating that she was married June 4, 1880
Her father the late John Van Riswick,
was then in feeble health. and as we'd
cling gift he gave her 5000 in the stock of
the Great Falls Ice Company, the presi-
dency of which company her father had
previously resigned, making Mr.. T. A.
Lambert president of the company. At that
time the Van Riswick family were re-
siding on NJ street. the Lamberts residing
there with them. Her father claimed that
he had taken care of Mr.. Lambert and his
family ever since Mr.. Lamberts marriage
to his daughter. .Avarilla- Mrs. Carr said that
when she returned from her wedding trip
her father was confined to his bed. having
suffered stroke Of paralysis. She claimed
that Mr.. Lambert, being then president OF
the ice company, had refused to sign the
then Mrs. Carr was asked as to a request
she carried from her father to Mr. Lam
bert, asking the latter to sign the trans
fer. the two men being then sick In COM
municating rooms.
Mr.. Wilson, of counsel for Mr.. Wilton
Lambert, objected, and long argument
followed between respective counsel. Mrs.
Cerr's attorneys stated that they expected
to show. among other things, that Mr..
Lambert HAD refused to sign the transfer
until after Mr.. Van Riswick had trans
ferred a like amount to the Lamberts.
The court adjourned before the objection
court overruled the objection. Mrs. Carr
then said that she carried her fathers
message to Mr.. Lambert. and the latter
subsequently signed the transfer, after
consultation iii the family. stating that
he had not exactly understood the matter.
and that he was very fond of her, and so
on. Mrs. Carr said her father had told
her that he gave her the stock as COM
EeDsation to her for what he had done Tor
the Lamberts. Her father also told her
that he had lost confidence In Mr.. Lam
bert, and that ne had destroyed will
in which he had named Mr.. Lambert as an
executor. her father. she said. not wishing
him to have anything to do with the estate
Mrs Carr then went on to say that her
mother often complained that Mrs Lam
bert objected t, her gifts to Mrs. Carr. and
as jealous of her. Mrs. Carr referred to
the distribution of the farm products, stat
ing tnat her mother always felt compelled
to equally distribute them, however lns.g-
r;fioant they were. between her two daugh-
tiers. Even If only half dozen eggs were
sent in Mrs. Van R:swick would give her
three and send three to Mrs. Lambert.
Mrs Carr Eext related that she had known
Mr.. Carr about two years before their mar
riagc and she stated that he addressed
letter to her father asking her hand in
marriage and stating his financial stand
ing. She had read the letter, but did not
krow what had become of it. and she was
about to state its contents when Mr.. Lam
bert's counsel objected.
Another argument followed, during which
Mrs. Carr's counsel complained that the
other side had intimated that Mrs. Van
cause Mr.. Carr had failed in business in
Norfolk Mrs. Carr's attorneys thought
that it was doubtful If Mr.. Carr could
testify. they should be allowed to show that
if Mrs Van Riswick so believed she had
been imposed upon by some one. They
wished to show that Mr.. Carr was engaged
In profitable business at Norfolk, and that
he finally consented to give up his business
and reside with Mrs. Van Riswick after
much reluctance, and Only after she had
told them that she did Eot wish to live
with the Lamberts. Judge McComas sus-
tanned the objection, but allowed Mrs. Carr
to relate the state of her husbands busi
less ard what Inducements her mother
made to obtain Mr.. Carr's consent to give
Up his business.
Mrs. Carr's Story.
Mrs Carr then went on to say that her
mother agreed that if Mr.. Carr would give
up his business at Norfolk and consent to
reside with her here, she would pay all
the expenses and give Mrs. Carr half OF her
property. But while Mr.. Carr finally con-
sented to give up his business which was
then very profitable, and come to Wash
irgton, they residing with Mrs Van Ris-
wick until her death, he did not do SO until
n ha ho6 lno, tA1
the expenses After the death of Mary
Jane, her sister. Mrs. Carr stated that 1t
was found that she had left no will, and
her mother was frequently Informed by
Mr.. L. A. Lambert that Mary James prop
erty, real and personal. went equally to his
wife and Mrs. Carr. Mrs. Carr said that
she could obtain no division of her sisters
estate. and finally she consulted Attorney
John {. Heald, who told her that her moth
er was entitled TO one-third of Mary James
personal estate She SO informed Mr. T.
A Lambert. when he explained that he
LamberD had been mistaken in the mat
ter.
When her mother endeavored to give her
the property on 18th street, said Mrs. Carr.
Mrs. Lambert refused to sell her share and
then Mrs. Van Riswick purchased a lot ON
Massachusetts \. avenue. for s14.000 and gave
1t to Mrs. Carr. Her mother made her
promise to keep 1T from Mrs. Lambert. be-
cause it would create trouble 1t was her
purpose. said Mrs Carr. to build on the
iot anu nave mOtNer 1--we with her
the rest of her days. But she did NOT
build. When In the presence of Mrs. Lam
bert, said Mrs. Carr, her mother was al
ways excited and nervous. and appeared
to be afraid Of Mrs. Lambert Her me. her
always became imDeded in speech when in
the presence of Mrs. Lambert.
Her father, explained Mrs. Carr, made
no will, but made an equal distribution uf
his property by deed. When reminded that
1t would not be necessary foE her to make
a Will, her mother seemed416 feel greatly
relieved. Her mother, however, told !er
that Wilton Lambert desired to have Van
View left TO him. and his mother SO de-
sired But her mother, said Mrs. Carr. was
very superstitious as to making a VIII, be-
Heving that one soon died after doing So
Not long before her death her mother
spoke of making a will. of leaving property
to some relatives and to Father Mackin
asking Mrs. Carr how she would like
life estate. Mrs. Carr said she advised her
mother to give her property to relatives