Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-04-03

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ceased had not manifested an aversion
to Henry DAingeriad's children, from
the fact that she mentions them in her
will and bequeaths certain articles to
them. Why had she not ignored them
altogether if they had been the objects
OF her aversion?
Mr.. Hunton alluded to many scenes
in connection with the trial, among
them that of boy being compelled to
tell of his fathers suicide, and ex-
claimed, could Mrs. Eliza DANGER
field only look down upon the drama
which has been presented in the con-
test of her will" Further on MIR. Hun
ton said Mrs Carter had received her
aunt Jennie in her room at her home
in Baltimore. when Mrs. G. was so
critically i'll that the doctor had for
hidden anyone to see her. Did such
al act show hostility? The speaker
then referred to the other side en-
deavoring to ventilate the Asbury Park
scandal by going to Washington and
procuring a letter written by the tesla
trix to Miss Ellen Daingerfeld con
corning that unfortunate affair. Is it
to be supposed that the latter would
haye gwen up that letter had she
known the object?
At this juncture Mr.. Moore arose
and begged to be allowed to state that
the object in procuring the letter was
for the purpose of identifying the sig
nature of the testatrix, and not 10
again air the scandal.
Mr.. Hutton at first manifested some
impotence at the interruption, and
both he and Mr.. Moore for time seem
ed trfe ruflled. Explanations, now
ever, speedily followed, and Mr.. Hun
ton said t would make no further al
fusion to the letter.
Mr. Hunton then proceeded with his
| argument. He went on TO state that
after the death of Mr.. Henry Danger
field the testatrix had, at her
own expense, fixed up house
for Mrs. Virginia Daingerield and
her family, but the latter lady
had refused to leave the house of her
mother-in-law. She wanted to remain
and be on the ground at the time the
property was disposed of. Something
must have been radically wrong WITH
Mrs. Virginia Daingerfeld or she never
would have incurred such an luminosity
from the testatrix. The speaker said
he deplored such cases, which ended in
law suits, and produced family feuds.
Mr.. Hunton closed by making
an earnest appeal to the jury
to sustain the will, urging that
nothing whatever mad been produc-
ed to show that the deceased did
not possess testamentary capacity. All
had proven that her Intellect was in no
way impaired, that she had been sub
ject to no undue influence, and that the
provisions OF the will argued prudence
| and common sense in the face Of the
circumstances which surrounded Mrs.
Daingerfeld at the time she made the
will. Mr.. Hunton made spirited ar
gument. He closed his address to the
Jury at 945, and was warmly congratu-
| lated by many who were present for
the mastely manner in which ne had
| presented his side of the case.
The case was subsequently given to
the Jury, and the bulk of the large
crowd which had gathered left the court
room.
The Jury Was out two hours when it
! returned and reported that it was un-
able to agree on verdict, and at u
o'clock was discharged until 9 o'clock
this morning Mr.. M. B. Harlow, the
foreman of the jury, announced it had
~, a1 Of 10
opinion that an understanding could
not be arrived at at present. Mr.. w.
H. May, a member of the jury, also in
formed the court that it would avail
nothing to lock the jury up indefinitely.
Ia his opinion, verdict could rot be
rendered during the night, and perhaps
not at all. Considering this and IN view
of the fact that the expense entailed by
the trial of the case had already reach
ed figure between $4,000 and $4,000,
Judge Nicol decided that it would be
advisable to obtain a verdict if possible
from the present jnry rather than to
undergo the additional expense coDse-
quent upon the impanneling OF a new
jury and trying the case second
time. Judge Nicol admonished the
members of the jury to express no
opinion on the case and to allow no
expressions Of opinion in their presence.
He enjoined them to absolute secrecy
and informed them that the court would
fine or imprison anyone guilty Of vlo-
iation Of the Injunction or a failure to
infinitely observe it.
The court was called to order this
morning at the appointed hour and az
ter the usual preliminaries Of opening
the jury was again sent out to agree
upon a verdict. Judge Nicol, before
they left the box, stated to them that
they composed an intelligent body OF
gentlemen and was one of the best
uries which could have been i'm
panelled.
At 1920 o'clock the jury again entered
the court room, when Mr.. NJ. B. Har-
low, foreman, arose and said he regret
ted exceedingly after all that had been
done on the part of the court toward
rendering their duty pleasant, that the
jury could not reach verdict. He
asked his honor for instructions as TO
further procedure. The jury were will
ing, if they thought it possible to reach
a verdict, to remain all day and also
the next. The jury, he said, had care
fully considered sll the evidence and
the instructions, and in the face of all
they were firmly deadlocked as to
agreeing upon verdict. In fact, upon
a vote being taken this morning it was
shown that there was no change what
ever from Saturday night.
The judge suggested another en-
deavor on the part of the jury. He
would do all he could TO aid them so