The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-21
MIND OF ISAAC STAPLES.
Testimony of Many Witnesses as to
It's SOundnesa.

It's sOundness.
SALTWATER, Mimi, Sept. 90
Especial 1.-THE Staples will contest on
the part of the opponents is gradually
drawing to a close, and they will prob
ably have their side Of the case COM
pleted by noon tomorrow. The morn
ing session today was held at pri-
vate residence on the North hill, where
the testimony of Mrs. Caroline B.
Swain, o daughter Of the deceased, was
taken. Mrs Swain testified that she
had been at her fathers home a great
deal for many years, having been
member of his household, but had new
er seen any indications of his mind be-
ing unsound. She accompanied him to
Hot Springs, Ark, in the fall or winter
of 1898 and 1894, and admitted that
while there she had written letters to
her husband telling him that he father
was i'll and that she thought the
trouble was with his mind This APP
piled, she said, only to when he was
Ill. Following the taking Of her testi-
mony the judge and attorneys returned
to the court house, where the testimony
Of A. K. Doe, clerk Of court, was taken.
He had known Mr.. Staples for many
years, but had never seen anything to
indicate that his mind was unsound.
The witnesses examined this after
T..
Mrs. E. w. Durant, Rev. J. L. Danner
of Albert Lea; Miss Florence Smith, of
Atlanta, Ga; Mrs. /. E. Staples and A.
z. Hospes. All testified to a belief that
Mr.. Staples was Of sound mind and
capable Of disposing Of his property
Rev. Danner was pastCr of the Presby-
terrain church in this city for many
years, and during his passionate fire.
quently met Mr.. Staples. He came
here in 1892, and became acquainted
with Mr.. Staples a month or two la
ter. He had a great deal of pastoral
intercourse with the deceased and re-
eeiVed frequent invitations for his wife
and himself to spend few days at Mr.
staples club house at Big Lake. Mr.
staples had given the witness $4,000
with which to pay off the church debt.
and frequently contributed. Some time
in 1895 or 1896, witness thought. Mr.
Staples had told the witness that he
was in a perpleXity of mind, and was
trying to devise plans whereby he could
dispose of his property so that if
would not be squandered after his
death. He considered Mr.. Staples a
man Of remarkable intellect the first
two years he was acquainted with him
but in the last two years he was weak
physically, but his mind, however, was
not impaired. He considered him ca
paDle OF making a will and disposing
of his property in accordance with his
desires. He never saw anything to in
dictate that Mr. Staples had ever had a
stroke Of apOplexy.
Miss Florence Smith testified that she
was related to the family, and had fire.
quently remained in Mr.. Stables home
Tor long periods. In January, 1897. she
came to his home and remained there
until June, and saw him almost every
Qay. she never saw any mental de-
luslons on his part and considered him
OF sound mind. Witness said She had
heard Mr.. Staples tell stories which
were not exactly proper in the presence
or ladies'. He had frequently kissa5
her and put his arm around her. but in
asmuch as she was his niece she didn't
consider it improper.
Mrs. [. E. Staples, a daugter-in-1aw
OF the deceased, testified to having bean
at his home very frequently, and that
MI Staples had also come to her home
on various occasions. She said his mind
was all right excepting during periods
of illness and commissioners M So
pies always treated the witness witb
the greatest respect, and had never
heard him use improper language.
Inc other witnesses covered practi-
cdny the same ground, all having bnon
closely associated with the deceased FOR
many years. LII
The Weyerhaeuser and bow boat denartod
W E4aay win ,I raft and half of logs for
"Seyerhaeuser q Denckmann. Rock Island
Moritz bernstein appeared in the municina1
court this morning to answer To oh pa
of having violated an ordinance reIatin 1iaFs &c
Junk dealers The case was continued. Pet
e ehna, BROS; also appeared to answer TO a
charge or permitting gambling in their co
loon and their case was also conti nn Sa-
Charles McAvoy. of st. Paul. one of tho
1aas VINO ran away from home and came to
this city Is still held here nobody havin0
come after him or indicated a desire to baves
MN returned home. The police are at
loss TO know what to do with him. but will
probably lberate him. ""' Will
A convention of the Master Horsesboers,
association assoc of this state. was held here
oouay ana many delegates were in attend
aHce. The most important matter hefora
one convention was that of legislation and
an eifort will be made at the coming session sion
~ tne legislature to amend the horseshoers'
Incense, SO as to cover the state An offor.
VIII also be made to secure alien laws.