The Somerset reporter., 1897-01-28

+. +. DaHforth, Esq 5. W. Gould,
ESQ, Messrs. J. l. Mcclellan, o. A.
Priest, DR. 5. A. Pdtten, Mr.. and Mrs.
f. p. Viles, and Miss Dora Goodwin of
this town and Mr. and Mrs. f. W. Cronk-
hite and Mr. Geo ~ Bates of Cornyille
went to Bangor Thursday afternoon, to
be in attendance as witnesses for the
defendant upon the trial Of the case
Sanborn vs Cronkhite, which was eX-
pected to come off Friday in the SUI
preme court, The case was not called
however, until Saturday afternoon.
James NJ. Sanborn, who appears as
plaintin in the action, is executor of the
estate of Peter Bennett of Plymouth,
Maine. He is suing in behalf of the es-
tate to recover the sum of 5000, alleg-
ed to have been obtained improperly
from said Bennett by his daughter, Mrs
f. W. Cronkhite, while her father was
visiting at her house in Skowhegan,
shortly before his death, in the summer
of 1898. 1t is claimed that Bennett was
non compos mentis at that time, and
that lie had already disposed OF his
property fully in a will; and that the
sum named was gotten from him by un-
due influence.
The defendant declares that the sum
named was gift of her father to her,
for her long attendance on him and her
long continued affection.
The case will probably occupy a day
or two. and will be followed with some
interest It is probably the last that
will be heard of old Peter Benpett's
money. which has of late years, been so
frequent a visitor, in some form OF an
other, at Penobscot county courts p.
Ii. Gillin is for the plaintiff and Danforth
and Gould are for the defendant.
Monday forenoon was occupied by MI
SanbOrn in introducing papers, lesti-
mony, etc, which had previously been
introduced at the hearing before the pro-
bate court in Skowhegan. Mr.. Sanborn
is assisted in conducting the case by +.
II. Gillen, E,q., of Bangor, and Dan
forth & Gould Of SkOwhegan, are for the
defendant.
An important witness was + +. Dan
forth, Esq. He testified that he Went
to Mr.. BENEFITS home in Plymouth with
Mrs. Cronkhite and at the order of Mr.
Bennett, who was then with his daugh-
ter, TO get some papers, money, etc,
which we're in the house, These papers
were the mortgages, notes, etc, referred
to above. He also got at that time $500
in money. He found that +. II. Gillen,
Esq, of Bangor, had some bank books,
belonging to Mr.. Bennett, aud he came
after them. Mr.. Gillen would not give
them up unless he had written order
from Mr.. Bennett This Mr. Danforth
obtained aud later came and got the
money. Mr. Danfcrth testified that he
drew up the papers which transferred
the money to Mrs. Cronkhite and when
he WAS doing it Mr.. Bennett urged that
he make them good and strong, because
he said some of the other children might
make trouble. Mr.. Danforth said that
he never noticed that Mr.. Benefits
mind was in any way impaired.
In the crOss-eXamination which was
conducted by Mr.. Gillen, Mr. Danforth
ST. ted that he thought when he made
"the papers stroug," they benefited the
Cronkhites little. John r. Mcclellan,
a real estate owner at Skowhegan, also
testified regarding Mr.. Benefits mental
condition. He had never noticed but
what he was perfectly able to transact
business.
DIR. Byron Porter of Newport, was