The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-15


an instrument in writing purporting C
be the last will and testament of his
wife, Mary j. Dodge. 10 probate, took
place before Judge Wilbur and a jury
today Mrs. Dodge left an estate worth
between $4,000 and $4,000 and she did
not mention her husbands name in the
viii she made about one year before
she died. Mr.. Dodge claims that when
she made the instrument purporting to
be her will she was OF unsound mind.
Before her marriage Mrs. Dodge. whose
name was then Clum, carried on the
millinery business in this city. The
main testimony in regard TO Insanity
was as TO a habit formed by Mrs.
: Dodge about two years before her
death OF using profane and vulgar Ian
gusge and OF at one time speaking in
a kind manner OF her husband and
at another time harshly of him and
threatening to kill him and herself.
The dispositions OF the witnesses 10
the will were read and then the will it.
self. Eugene II. Lincoln was appointed
executor Of the Will There was a be-
quest OF 5000 to Eugene ID. Cobb, be-
quest of $500 TO Mrs. l.. Il. Freeborn OF
Portsmouth, while Philo r. Dodge was
given 5000 and Nellie Dodge the testa-
trix's diamond breast pin. The rest and
residue of the estate was given 10 Mrs.
Dodge'si sister, Caroline A. Lanson.
Having offered the will the proponents
rested their case. benjamin n. Lap
ham and Charles E Salisbury were
counsel for the executor and Edwards
and Angel counsel for Mr.. Dodge.
Seeber Edwards made the opening
address 10 the jury. stating IL would be
shown that at the time Mrs. Dodge
made the will offered she was not men
tally competent to do so. That not
withstanding the money paid for ths
Edgewsl d place came from her hus-
hand she did not mention him I'm her
will, but instead gave her property TO a
a sister for whom she had not had very
tender feelings until she. the testatrix.
at a critical period in woman's life,
began 70 develop strange peculiaritiea
and 10 turn against her husband. 10
whom she had been up 10 that time
very devoted.
Charles IL -Parker- WAS the hrsl lxit=
ness called by the contestant. He tes-
titled he knew Mary j. Dodge for 20
years. seeing her every day. Witness
said he was a hairdresser and saw her
az the Revere Hotel. where she resid-
ed for TWO years. Afterwards Mr.. Par
wood from 1896 to 1898. Witness used to
shampoo Mrs. Dodge's hair. and he re-
called one Sunday in July, 1895, when
she complained bitterly of her head
and showed symptoms of frequent
pains. He remarked 10 Mr.. Dodge, rs
your wife getting crazy?" Mr.. Dodge
said ne guessed not.
Witness. on March ~. 1896. the day OF
the burning OF the Masonic Temple.
went to the home OF Mrs. Dodge and
told her the hotel Mr. Dodge owned was
in danger and asked her IL Mr.. Dodge |
was coming TO the hotel. Mrs. Dodge |
replied with oaths that she hoped the |
hotel would burn down and he with It, |
At the same time Mrs. Dodge said she |
would kill Dodge yet
Mr., Parker said he was a close OBJ
server OF woman nature and this /
brought out an objection from Mr. Lap
ham. and this part OF the answer was
ruled out. Mr.. Parker said he believed
Mrs. Dodge insane.
Mr. Laphann thought no one but an
expert on insanity could testify as 10
ppinion concerning a persons insanity,
hut the court ruled different and Mr..
Lapham took an exception.
After abusing her husband. accord
ng to witness. Mrs. Dodge would turn
round and say her husband was the
,est and kindest man she had ever met
II
Dodge TO use profare language up to
ne latter part of 1895. or the first part
n 1896
Early in 1895 Mrs. Dodge had told wit
iess she had left all her property TO
Ter husband. and that she would not
cave a cent to her sister. because the
after had refused her. Mrs. Dodge. n
up OF tea and the sisters husband had
nsulted her. Mrs. Dodge.
s.lf am not good enough 10 come and |
see." according To the witness. Mrs.
Dodge once remarked. MY money Is
lot good enough for her" In the op.n-
on OF witness. Mr.. Dodge was kind
rusband and he and Mrs. Dodge lived
ogether as a very loving couple
On cross-examination witness said
ne thought Mr.. Dodge was 80 or %
ears old when he married. Witness
'ould not tell how old Mrs Dodge was
when she married Mr.. Dodge, but the
Ige given in the paper when marriage
Intentions was published was 80. Wit
less knew Mrs. Dodge was a milliner.
Who done business on Westminster
street. He could not tell how long she Z
in business after her mar
'iage. nor how much money she had !
Mr. Parker was asked IN
le ever saw a woman In Mysteries and ! I
save negative reply. Mr.. Lapham
vas proceeding 10 describe Mysteries I
when there was objection that was sus- I
aimed. {
An attempt was made by MIR. Lap ! 5
lam TO have witness state the differ (
nee between the Revere Hotel and the | .
Hotel where Mr. Parker
works. The court did not deem this an
important point az the stage OF pro-
'eedinTs. Mr.. Parker was asked N ~ |
knew drs. Dodge 10 waste her money !
nc his reply was no. i,
Witness was then asktl why Mrs !
SOdge left the hotel and his reply was :
he wanted house OF her own and
yapted II near the water.
Frank Field, painter. said he took .
he contract ~ Mrs. Dodge FOR the !
'einiing of house In Edgewood about !
wo years ago. Ic worked at the
louse about two months and noticed
Ire. Dodge was a peculiar woman. she
would appear 10 b. satisfied with J
DIOR Of paint and then She would },
hange her mind and burst out CRYING =
some days deceased would he very SOC !,
able q the men working az ;he house !
M other days she would not speak st y
III Witness from what he had seen =
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