Evening star., 1897-02-16
Mrs. Van Riswick's Son-in-Law
Testifes.
The fRANSER OF SFOCR
Continuance Of the Long-Drawn.
Out Contest.
A n o 7 II E r WITH E S S

Hc StCOuu SlstSc Oh tNc v HI ftISW 1Ch Will
| case was entered upon today. when testi-
| mony in support of the validity of the in
| strument was introduced by counsel for
Mr.. Wilton J. Lambert, who Is defending
the will, that of his grandmother, the late
Mary Van Riswick. During the past four
weeks witnesses testified in behalf Of Mrs.
Martina Carr. the youngest child of Mrs.
Van Rtswick. who, in contestinE her mo-
theirs WILL charges that it was procured
| through the undue influence of Mr.. Lam
bert. This testimony closed last, week,
| when Mr.. Lamberts counsel asked Judge
McComas to direct a verdict in support of
the will. Long arguments followed, and
as stated in The Star. the judge ovcrruled
the motion late yesterday afternoon The
court then adjourned the trial until this
morning, and when the trial was resumed
1 today counsel for Mr. Lambert called as
their first witness his father Mr. Tall
madge A. Lambert
Mr. Lambert was examined by Mr.. Jere
| NJ. uson. and after stating that he is
member of the LEGAL bar, a son-in-law Of
MT van Riswtck and the father of Mr.
"iltoE Lambert, he stated that the latte,
part OF January. 1894. Mrs Van Riswick.
who was then stopping at his house. in
| formed him that she had seen Mr. I
harrington In reference to the disposition
ot ner estate. and requested him to ask
Ml. harrington to call upon her. Several
a
to how she could, in a legal way convex
an estate equally. He explained. using the
term moieties, and wrote it down for her
ounseauentiy % she again requested him to
convey message to Mr.. Darlington. Be
yond what he had stated Mr. Iamher,
emphatically denied having any other CON.
| hection with or knowledge of the will in
controversy. VIII Az
had conducted about all of the iegai hrsi
ness OF his father-in-law, the late Joi,n
van Riswick and cited a number of tn.
ip9rtant ,r;a% M cases which ne had successful,
lieu. .I'. MI Lambert denied having fostered
Hlgation, saying that about ali of tha
Eases were first made known to him hS
Mr. Van Rfswick ~ W
.rtant Mr Lambert was continuing to show the
eA.ent ana value of his legal services to
Mr.. Van Riswick. when counsel for Hrs
Sd.r onJected, submitting that as MFR Carr
iaa not been allowed to testify Mr.. r A
Lambert should not be allowed To datati
conversations with Mr. Van Riswicl, ~
witness then desisted from giving the CON
sersatlons. but said that his reasonable
s;., amounted to more than s2O,OOO. of
wv IN cash. Both Mr. and Mrs Van
hiswlck agreed that the fees were req soma
PIE MI Lambert next stated that unon
ms. ms return from his wedding tour he in
sisted upon paying board for himself and
wl1e, and subsequently it was agreed that
ne should pay SIS a month, and that rate
continued until 1878. when it was increased
S 80 - mouen, winch he always there
a1ter paid. Mr.. Van Riswick gave him his
iegal business to conduct, and in that way
tne payments were made. In August 1885
Mr. and Mrs. Van Rlswick signed an ac-
sideration of his legal services The ac
qu1ttal also released to him for the bene-
nj OF his wife ten shares of the Great
faiis Ice Company stock. Mr.. Lambert
said he took the presidency of the comnanv
In 1883 with much reluctance and at a time
wnen the company was at low ebb.
Family Affairs.
Mr.. Lambert said he had in 1850 mr.
chased ten shares of the stock from Mr..
Van Riswick, paying $1,000 for them. He
denied ever having received any stock from
either Mr.. or Mrs. Van Riswick, or any
cash. as consideration for s., 600 of the
stock given to Mrs. Carr by her father In
July, 1855. as a wedding present. Mr.. Lam
bert said that he first heard Of the wedding
gift when Mrs. Van Riswick and her daush-
ter. Mary Jane, called upon him at his
office In July, 1885, and told him that Mrs.
Carr was insisting that her father should
give her the stock. He replied that he was
surprised that the wedding was then
month past. and that he thought 1t should
not be DONE He said that he finally signed
the transfer of the stock in the interest of
peace, Mrs. Carr, he said, insisting time
and time again that she should have it,
But Mr.. Lambert denied that he refused to
sign the transfer until after similar
amount had been given his family.
Mr.. Lambert said 1t Is true that he on
| one occasion told Mrs. Van Riswick that
she was not entitled to share in her daugh-
ter. Mary James, estate, but said he sub
sequently discovered that he was mistaken
and so told Mrs. Van Riswick, telling her
he was glad to learn that he had been mis-
taken. Speaking Of the relations between
his family and Mrs Van Riswick. Mr..
Lambert said that they had always been of
the kindest and most affectionate nature
Referring to his wifes health, he said she
has been practically an invalid for many
years. Mr.. Lambert said that when Mrs.
Van Riswick and his family went away on
summer vacations, she paid her expenses
and he paid those of his family. He denied
any way, saying that until the present trial
he had never heard of such a thing. He
had never observed any excitement or
nervousness on the part of Mrs. Van Ris-
wick when in the pf essence of his wife.
Mr.. Lambert said Mrs. Van Riswick was
a won an of much executive ability. and
well capable of protecting and caring for
her own interests. She was not woman
obstinacy. He was not aware that she
was subject to attacks of vertigo, and
seemed to have fully recovered from the
attack of grip she suffered in the latter
part of 1893. After the death of Mary
Jane, Mr.. Lambert said he and his wife in
vited Mrs. Van Riswick to make their
home her own. She declined, saying she
preferred keeping one of her own, and also
expressed desire to have Mr.. and Mrs.
Carr remove here from Norfolk.
This concluded the direct examination of
Mr.. Lambert, and Mr.. A. S. Worthington
proceeded to cross-examine him. One of the
reasons he gave for objecting to the we'd
ding gifts of 5000 of ice company stock 10
Mrs. Carr was that Mr.. Van Riswick was
rot in good mental condition In July, 1885.
He was apparently well or better mentally
in June and also In August
80" said Mr.. Worthington. ''you thought
Mr.. Van Riswick capable of making an
agreement binding upon him in August bu.
rot a few weeks previously, when he
wished to convey stock to Mrs. CARR"
Yes" replied Mr. Lambert, mot SO cap
able at the immediate time in July
Mr.. Lambert said there was a settlement
between him and Mr.. Van Riswick when
| the balance was in favor of Mr.. Van Ris-
wick. 1t was in 1874, when he paid Mr.
Van Riswick $50, at the other. four years
later. there was balance due him from
Mr.. Van Riswick.
The cross-examination Of Mr.. Lambert
was continued until after the midday re-
cess of the court, but nothing materially
uyaa He cfo Tod hot ha