Bridgeton pioneer., 1899-05-04

Circuit case No. 2 was then called. and
1t proved TO be a somewhat novel and in
terestiDg suit. The counsel was VIM. A..
Logue, late Prosecutor, and Walter RI.
Bacon, and these brilliant legal minds
furnished considerable interest, ,inasmuch
as they had their cases we'll prepared,
ana they took advantage of every Incl
Gent that they could grasp, for the benefit
OF the cause they represented.
In MS opening to the jurors, Mr.. Logue
stated that his client, Mary G. Evans, of
this city, brought suit against Naomi D.
Randolph, formerly of this city, for a
sum of $l0l9.S3, with interest from Jan.
1898. In substantiating this claim, Mr..
Logue made it appear that Mrs. RAN
dolph, an aged woman, formerly lived a
recluse in an unpretentious house on
West Commerce street. This woman
was possessed, probably, of an estate
valued at $4,000 or 100000. She had
chosen to live alone, and some time since
was declared a lunatic, and a guardian
was now caring for the interests of the
| woman.
1t was back in 1892 that Mrs. Randolph
sent Edna Evans, little daughter of
Mrs. Evans, to her mother with a request
for piece of pie, or some like nourish-
ment. Mrs. Evans, in a neighborly sort
OF way, carried Mrs. Randolph piece of
pie, and from that moment an arrange
ment was made with Mrs. Evans to fur
nish dinner each day to the old lady, for
which she was 10 be attained $5 per
month. This arrangement continued ur-
til Nov. 25, 1894, when the physical dis
ability of Mrs. Randolph became such
that all the meals of Mrs. Randolph were
furnished by Mrs. Evans, and the latter
did all of the household work about the
Randolph residence. Mrs. Evans did all
the washing, ironing, ETC., and finally
Mrs. Evans became Mrs. Randolph's
right hand. She did business for the old
lady, received interest, paid bills, carried
deposits to bank, and matters of this
character. Mrs. Evans lived just back of
the Randolph property, and signal was
arranged between the two, and when
| Mrs. Randolph needed Mrs. Evans, she
would hang out a towel or newspaper
| from the window. For this increased
service Mrs. Evans charged the Randolph
estate the modest sum of 81 per week.
| The figures demanded are summed up in
this way: Furnishing dinners for thirty.
six weeks, at S5 per month, $50. Credit
by payment of cash, $l2O. leaving ball
ance on this account of $50. The balance
OF the account was made up of 164 weeks,
at 81 per week. aggregating $4,000. A
! arodif af G1Q- ;a
balance on this account of 1853 80, or
| $lOl9.S3 in all.
| Mr.. Logue called Mrs. Evans to the
stand, but jnst as Clerk Trenchard was
about to administer the oath, Mr.. Bacon
interposed an objection, claiming that in
asmuch as Mrs. Randolph was under
legal disability, the plaintiff could not be
| sworn.
He cited authorities. and Mr.. Logue
said that he knew that Mr.. Bacou's con-
tention was correct, but he desired to
offer her, that the jury might understand
that Mrs. Evans was willing to 90 upon
the stand.
John Evans, the plaintiffs son, testified
| to the service his mother had rendered
Mrs. Randolph, and alleged that Mrs.
Evans really neglected her own family in
her care of Mrs. Randolph. Previous to
Mrs. Evans employing herself to Mrs.
Randolph, Mrs. Evans did some IA or Is
washings week, these she gave up to
give her time to Mrs. Randolph.
Edna Evans, fifteen years old, daughter
of the plaintiff, corroborated the previous
| testimony.
Benz. T. Ware nephew of Mrs. Ran.
| dolph, had noticed the attention and care
| given Mrs. Randolph by Mrs. Evans,
and thought that one dollar a day was a
very small compensation for the duties
performed.
| DIR. II. w. Elmer, Mrs. Harriet Pfetyen-
mair. Thomas Hepner and others were
called to show that Mrs. Evans rendered
services to Mrs. Randolph.
| H. w. Scull of the Cumberland Bank,
Lawyers Orestes Cook and James J.
fed that all business they had to do with
Mrs. Randolph, was done in the presence
of Mrs. Evans. Mrs. Randolph almost
always refused to transact business with
out Mrs. Evans was first sent for.
When Mr.. Logue closed his case, it had
strong aspect and Mr.. Bacon's defense
was looked for with considerable curl
osity. The counsellor did not make
much of an opening, and produced Irwin
w. Sheppard, nephew of Mrs. Ran
dolph, as his first witness. Mr.. Shep-
pard is at present custodian of Mrs. Ran
dolph. and he says she has been in fairly
good physical health since being removed
from her home. Mr.. Sheppard said
when the od lady was removed she was
not properly cared for, and the house
was very filthy, her bed being covered
with vermin, and not fit to carry away.
A number of receipts were shown from
Mrs. Evans for money paid, ana Mr..
Sheppard said that he found them in her
house. He was not acquainted with Mrs.