The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-20

The Bittenbender case was resumed
before Judge Edwards, sitting in equity
yesterday. The plaintiffs concluded
their side of the case by introducing
testimony as to the value of the real
estate Of the firm Of Bittenbender "
Co. at the time OF the dissolution of
partnership Dec. Q, 1895.
Rudolph Bloeser testified that in his
estimation the Franklin avenue prop
erty was worth $4,000 or $4,000 In
the dissolution inventory it was rated
at $4,000. Thomas Davis told OF nego-
tiations he had for the purchase of the
Whytes hotel property, which is ADA"
cent to the l3ittenbender & Co. prop
erty He asked Mr.. Kemmerer's advice
as to the value Of the property when
it was first placed on the market. Mr.
* Kemmerer thought it would be cheap
at SIG 900. When Mr.. Davis again went
to see about the property he learned
that Mr.. Kemmerer had purchased 1t.
He offered Mr.. Kemmerer $4,000 for it
but Mr.. Kemmerer wanted $24,OOO. rms
testimony was adduced to show by re-
lation the value of the Bittenbender IL
Co property. Stephen Jones fixed $SS,-
COO as the value of the Franklin avenue
property.
MR. KEMMERER CALLED.
Mr.. Eemmerer was called to the stand
and admitted that he suggested the
clause in the dissolution agreement by
which the retiring partners share was
| to be placed in Mrs. Israel Bittenbend
er's name. 1t was not however because
| he believed that Israel Bttenbender
| was 'in a condition of mind that
would unfit him to transact business"
but because he was imprudent and
heavy poker player.
Israel Bittenbender, being recalled
denied that he had mentioned in the
presence of his wife and brother Abra-
| ham that he had lost $4,000 at poker.
He could not say Just how much he had
| lost in gambling and affirmed that he
| had never to his knowledge mentioned
any particular amount to anybody. The
| Bonita Plate Glass company was he said
| responsible for a considerable share of
| his losses.
William Davis for the defence placed
| value of $4,000 or $4,000 on the
| Franklin avenue property. George
| Brown, superintendent of the Green
| Ridge Lumber company, gave as his
belief that the North Washington ave-
| nue. lots We're not worth over $1,000.
| They We're rated at $4,000 in the inven-
tory. George Krugerman placed the
| same value on them.
NEVER NOTICED ANYTHING.
| NJ. II. Dale, who had a great many
| business dealings with Israel Bitten
| bender, never noticed anything in his
| manner in November or December 1895
| that would lead him to believe he was
| of unsound mind.
| Marwood Jordan, the Vine street wag
| onmaker, knew Israel Bittenbender well
and did business with him almost every
day but noticed no change in his con-
| dition, appearance or actions at the
| time it is alleged he was mentally UNI
| balanced. William Shiffer admitted
| that he had noticed some slight change
but never carried on a lengthy conver-
| sation with him and was not prepared
to say he was of unsound mind at the
time in question.
Mr.. Kemmerer and Abraham Bitten
bender took the stand and testified
that their dealings with the retiring
partner We're fair and honest and that
he was not taken advantage of in any
respect.