Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-30
DAINGERFIELD WILL CASE.

will case, the deposition of Mrs. Ma
tilda E. Gwinn was then read by Mr..
johnson. She deposed that she was a
sister of Mrs. Eliza Daingerfeld: saw
her in the month of November preced-
ing testatrix's deaths; her ply
steal and mental condition were
remarkably good at that time;
never saw any difference in her
mental state; tesustriX was woman OF
strong mind; she had told Opponents he
had left her properly 10 her son Rever-
DIV ia trust and at his death to his wife
aud children, for the reason that he had
nothing, while her son Henry had re
tanned his estate intact. The deposition
referred TO Mrs. Daingerield express
ing her f0ndess for little Katherine and
saying she would be taken care of, as
she had connections who were equally
fond of her-in short, that her son
Henry's family would be better pro-
vlded Tor than that OF Reverdy.
The deposition of Mrs. Mary Morris
was next read. She lived in Baltimore,
and was a sister of the late Henry
Daingerfield. Mrs. Eliza DaiDgerfield's
mental condition was III 40 manner
changed when last seen by Mrs. Nor.
ris, which was subsequent and previous
TO Mr.. Carter's marriage. Her mental
powers were ali right, and deponent
said it was absurd to suppose anything
else; teststrix mad always been herself.
Mrs. Morris further averred that Mrs.
Daingerted possessed vigorous mind
and was decided in purpose Her in-
clination could not, Mrs. NJ. deposed,
be Influenced by others. The deponeDt
detailed conversations with Mrs. Dain.
gertield in which the latter spoke OF
having made will, and said in sub
stance what had been attested by Mrs.
| Gwinn in her interviews with her.
The next deposition read was from
Mrs. Ella Johnson Carr, also sister OF
| Mrs Eliza Daingerfeld. Her testimony
| was in substance rs that gwen by the
| other deponents; she never saw any
difference in Mrs. Daingertield's mental
| condition; testatrix was decided in her
| will and was immovable after her mind
was once made up. She gave depo
| nent the same reasons for disposiDg of
her property as she did Mrs. Morris and
Mrs. Gwinn.
A deposition from Mr.. Reverdy John
son followed. He is brother of tesla.
| trix. He saw Mrs. Daingerfeld in the
fall preceding her death. Her mental
condition was perfectly normal both on
that and previous occasions. She had
good mind and a firm will. Mr.
Johnson further deposed regarding
property left testatrix by her father,
the late Reverdy Johnson, and that OF
which ner husband died possessed. The
] deposition manifested perfect clearness
of mind on the part of Mrs. DANGER
field in regard to her business affairs
| especially concerning property held by,
her in Baltimore, as The deponent shower
her perfect familiarity with every piece
and parcel, its value, revenue, his
tory, &c.
The dispositions we're very lengthy,
Mr.Johnson's, especially, which related
almost exclusively to business in which
members of the family alone were in.
terested. The crowd, which was dense,
and had gathered for the purpose OF
witnessing more interesting proceedings
[ became FESTIVE, and those without the
| bar, most OF whom had been steadyiug
themselves first on one leg and then on
| the other, began to grow weary, and
the frequent opening OF the door show
ed that numbers had obtained their
quantum suffict. So far but little mad
Z thara
was but bare likelihood that there
would be, consequently interest Oh the
part of the spectators Jagged percepti-
oily.
Mr.. John Marshall, OF Baltimore, Of
the Baltimore Trust Company, sent in
a deposition. 1t also related mostly to
| business matters in connection with the
estate OF the teststrix, and its reading
was as trying TO the spectators as had
6een that OF the others; 10 fact by this
, time there was noticeable thinning
out of the audience. The reporters
grew drowsy and they and the others
compelled 20 sit it out had all they
could do to repress yawning. The hour
of FIVE o'clock finally drew around, and
few minutes later court took s recess
until seven o'clock.
The readiog OF other dispositions be-
gan when the court resembled. They
AL showed the same import-the clear
/ ness of the teststrix's mind concerning
her business affairs.
Various papers were subsequently
introduced, one being copy O. the last
will and testment OF the late Reverdy
Johnson. This was intended TO rebut
The point which had been raised on to
the power of testatrix to dispose OF
property bequeathed her by her father.
The court concluded to admit the
CODY of the will only as going to show
the condition of the memory OF the tes-
tatrix.
Mr.. Carter, one OF the counsel for
Mrs. Elite Daingerfeld, was sworn, and
he testified to the genuineness OF the
copy.
The papers which accompanied the
CODY of the will were obtained from a
tin box in bureau drawer in the bed
room of testatrix, and, with certain
letters. were produced to show thai
Mrs. Daingerfeld was perfectly ia
miliar with her business concerns,
They contained itemized exhibits OF
income from various sources.
Mr. Carter was later called on to tes-
tify. He married granddaughter OF
the late Mrs. Eliza Daingerfield. He
told of his acquaintance with testatrix
from the spring of 1895; had often
talked with her; she WAS fond OF young
company, especially her grandchildren
and their friends; after witness was
married she went to Baltimore and
visited his people; the will was made
ahout thnt Tina. saW EeceaEed. alter