Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-29
DAINGERFIELD WILL CASE.

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was still on the stand.
During the continuation of her testi-
mony she said that while her husband
was alive vegetables, &C., produced on
the latter's farm were brought 10 the
house where they were consumed.
After the husband of the witness died
the testatrix, for some reason, refused
to use any more of the farm prod
ucts and seemed to have antlpathy
to the members OF witnesses family.
Upon being crossed-examined witness
said Mrs. Eliza Daingerield had had
trouble with her eyes for about twelve
years; it was at first supposed she had
cataracts. Witness had written letters
for her; had also shown her attention
during illness. Testatrix had been
woman of very strong mind; in later
years, however, her mental faculties
suffered with her body. She had,
though, managed many things connect
ed with her household up to her last
illness. Mrs. Eliza Daingerfeld could
have been unduly influenced, es other
members of the family seemed TO have
her under control. Her hostilitie5 to-
wa-d witness without cause was to her
mind proof conclusive Of that fact; tes-
tatrix was on good terms with witness
up to the time of the death of the lat
ters husband; never had any trouble
w to that time. Testatrix had told
witness that Reverdy Daingerfeld had
lost all his property.
Witness finally left the stand, and
Mr.. Johnson read the will in dispute,
after which recess was declared until
seven o'clock.
The court reconvened at 7:15 o'clock
There was large crowd of spectators
present, and half an hour later il had
grown still more dense. The lights
burned sickly and there was consdere
BILE difficulty experienced in writing or
reading.
Mrs. Virginia Daingerfeld was re-
called to the stand, and Mr.. Burke ask
ed her some questions concerning her
late husbands estate, and the aisposi-
ton of certain parts OF it. Counsel onthe
other side made some objections and
colloquy followed. The court fnally
ruled the question out SO far as the dis
posaI of such property was concerned.
Witness then proceeded to answer other
questions concerning business matters
between Mrs. Eliza and Mrs. Efiie Dain-
gerheld; they concerned speculation il
stocks, &C., and the evidence was in re-
gard to conversations heard between
the testatrix and legatee.
J. S. B. Daingertield then took the
stand. He thought his grandmother
had been failing for some time, her
memory having especially been impair
ed. Witness then proceeded to relate
Instances connected with the tes-
tatrix's last days, especially her at
tacks of swooning and subsequent I'M
consciousness. When Miss Sellie Dain
gerfeld was about to be married, Mrs.
Eflie Daingerfield had, in conversation
with witnesses grandmother, stated that
she (Mrs. Efiie) would be the head OF
The house in future; witnesses part of the
| family had been virtually set at nought
and excluded. This evidence was SUBJ
sequently ruled out by the court. Wit
ness was made to go into many details
! concerning the frictions in the family.
/ He had heard conversations between
mis- grandmother and his aunt Ellie con
corning stock specuations. Witness
had had no intimation of his grand.
mothers will previous to her death.
| He admitted that his fathers family had
access ad libitum to their grandmother's
room, save when they wanted money,
at which times the grandmother would
repair to the room occupied by the
members of Mrs. Elites family. Wit
ness believed his aunt and grandmother
both speculated in stocks. He did not
know where the former obtained her
money. His grandmother had paid
shop bills OF his aunt's contracting and
be knoWledged she had paid some OF
his own. Witness said six months pre-
vious to his grandmother death she
mad stopped paying bills incurred by his
mothers family. He did not know
whether she continued paying those
contracted by his aunt.
Louis Daingerfeld took the stand
| He deposed that he had noticed great
fondness on the part OF his grandmother
Tor his uncle Reverdy's widow and her
children; they were in her company
mostly. His grandmother generally
fled at his approach. He had written
letters to his grandmother for remit.
tances; he also wrote to Miss Lottie TO
intercede for him. He used to thank
the latter for her influence.
MIR, Hunton asked witneas what
shock did he suppose the incessant de-
msnd5 upon his grandmother pro-
duced. Considerable laughter followed.
Witness resumed. He had been at
work in Baltimore, and the counsel
for Mrs. Virginia. aingerield endesvor-
ed to show that the alleged RICH rela-
lions manifested NJ particular interest
in that branch OF the family, but Mr.
Jenkins, his employer, had told him ne
would help him, but at the same time
be must look out for himself,
Benjamin McCorkle, colored, next |
took the stand. Witness was errsnd !
boy in the Daingerfeld family for |
about five years. Had noticed forget |
fulneas on the part OF the testatrix. |
although at first she had good mem |
DRY. In her last yearG she became con-
fused in counting money; would some.
times give witness quarter for five
cent?; had also seen her prepare to pay
bills a second time; had taken notes |
from Mr.. Henry to his grandmother |.
for money; be generally got the sums
asked for when the grandmother was
alone, but failed when Mrs. Ellie and
members of her family were present;
testatrix would occasionally lose her
keys; upon being crOss-examined wit
ness said he had been discharged, but
denied that be lad been discharged for