The evening times., 1897-02-04
MRS. CARR CAVE EVIDENCE
The Van RiSwick Will Contestant
on the Stand.
REVEALED FAMILY HISTORY
She Said Her Father Once Informed
Her That He Had Destroyed His
Own VIII Because w. j. Lambert
Was One OF the Executors-The
CoIIOquies Between Counsel,

The Van Riswick will case was resumed
this morning before Justice McComas, of the
District supreme court. with Mrs. Marina
Carr again upon the witness stand. She
testified in her own behalf as the contest
aat and in support OF the charge that undue
influence was eXerted upon the mind of
her mother, Mrs. Van Riswick, by Wilton
j. Lambert. grandson OF tie decedent and
Mrs Carr's nephew.
In speakin Of the family history and her
own connection with her mothers affairs.
Mrs. Carr stated that her father had once
infonne her that he had destroyed his own
will because w. T. Lambert was one OF the
executors. Her father had left SIS 900 for
her sister; it was leftin her mother name.
but was refused The information she had
was obtainedfrOm her fatherin her mothers
presence.
Mrs Carr said her father was in i'll
health at the date OF her marriage. in une,
1885, and tllat he gave her s., 600 as a we'd
ding present. The gift was in the form of
stock, and was intended as compensation
TO her for what he had previously given
Mr. Lambert's family. She stated that her
mother had Informed her OF Mrs. Lambert's
jealousy Of herself; that Mrs. Lambert was
always complaining that the property was
not being equally divided, and always Oh
iecting 10 what was beng done for Mrs.
Carr.
A quest on as to the objections made
10y Mrs Lambert in respect 10 a donation
OF beets and eggs to Mrs Carr, as the
product Of Mrs. Van Riswick's farm, was
interrupted 10y counsel. 1t was going too
much into the smaller details, was the
exception noted.
''Y our honor, the smaller the item the
more important it is as a matter OF evi-
dence If Mrs. Carr could not receive a
few bects without accounting for them
TO Mrs Lambert, it should be shown said
Attorney wOrthington.
But we should draw the line at garden
IoSs,' interpOsed Attorney Harry Davis
Of the opposing counsel.
A ColloQuy ensued between counsel as
to the introduction OF a letter from Mr..
Carr prior to his marriage, detailing his
financial prospects al relating to his abil-
ity 10 support his intended wife, and affect
ing the subsequent removal Of the Carr's
from Norfolk, at the request of Mrs. Van
nation OF Attorney Davis, and Messrs.
Perry and Worthington, upon the grounds
that it was necessary TO introduce testi-
moay to meet the insinuations Of the other
side that Mr. Carr is a man without a
business; that he spends his time in n
lat oratory and employs himself in 'gaz-
ing at the stars"
The discussion engaged Messrs. Perry,
Msttingly, Davis, Worthington and VIII
son, Seccessiyely. The judge held that
the letter was OF too remote a nature to be
admitted as evidence, but that it was COM
petent to prove 10y Mrs. Carr, the wit
ness, anything within her knowledge as
to the circumstances alleged.
Mrs Carr then testified that her hus-
band was prosperous during their resi-
dence in Norfolk, and that he paid all
The bills accumulated 10y their Household
She also detailed the circuni stances Of
their return TO Washington, stating that
it was solely due TO her mothers re-
quest. Her mother told her she did not
want to live with Mrs. Lambert, and Of
fercd to pay all the expenses of living
il they would remove to Washington and
let her reside with them.
my mother said she did not know why
we would object; that we had enough to
live on, and that after she died we should
have her share"
Her husband objected, she said, but FL
nany he agreed TO come to Washington
uIon the condition that he should pay one
half the living expenses.
Mrs. Carr remained VI on the stand from
the opening Of court until the recess was
ordered at 12 40, and her evidence is
still incomplete. Her testimony was i'm
portant to the case, since she testified
specifically OF her mothers aversion to
Mrs Lambert, and cited as proof that
Mrs Van RiswiCk was always under ex-
when in the presence of Mrs.
Lambert; slowed her feelings toward her |
in manner, and expressed them verbally.
Mrs Carr believed that her mother was
rot capable of expressing her own in-
tent.ons as to her property if brought
in contact with Mrs. Lambert's influence
or that Of her family.