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

son asked witness what was his i'm.
impression of the character of his
mcther-in-law.
Mr.. Moore asked if character was at
issue.
Mr. Johnson replied by saying he
meant the mental character of Mrs.
Daingerield-nothing more-as the
charge of undue influence had been
suggested on her part. A spiritsd
skirmish followed between counsel as
TO admitting or excluding this species of
questioning
Mr.. Moore commended il character
was to be brought in it should be done
with wide.open door. That of the
testatrix had been partially shown;
this lady had lived in high atmos-
phere; this same exhibit should be
allowed respecting the principal lega-
tee.
Mr.. Hunton said the opposition
seemed to be speaking to those with
out the bar; the point appeared to be
among them. This he inferred from
| the interest which they were man
ifesting in this stage OF the proceed.
| ings.
The court decided not to allow the
| question of character TO be brought in
by those contestinS the will, affirming,
however, that should the other side bring
such thing in those contesting the
will would have to rebut. 1t was i'm
possible to draw the line in SUCH 2
matter.
/ Mr.. Carter continued his evidence.
| He told of the scene in connection with
conversations with members of the
family concerning testatrix's will. The
| relations between testatriX and Mrs.
Ellie Daingerield were very cordial;
those between The children Of Mrs. Ellie
and Mrs. Virginia were as between broth
era and sisters; Henry was more in the
company OF his aunt than with his own
mother. Mr.. Carter's cross. examina-
ton followed. Witness first met his
! wife at Narrsgansett Pier in 1893; she
was accompanied by her mother, Mrs.
Ellie; saw no other relatives; met them
again in 1894 at the place. a num-
Der OF Questions followed regarding
Mrs. Eliza DaingerfelG's actions a year
or two previous to her death. The
cross-questioniDg Was very severe, anO
after the witness had stood before Mr.
Burke5 battery OF queries for some
time be asked for water, and subse-
quently gave way physically under the
strain. He was taken to chair, but
in few minutes revived. He again
took the stand, but was about to col
lapse a second time and the examina-
ton had to be brought to close.
Mr.. Julian 7. Burke was then told to
tske the stand. He had known Mrs.
Eliza Daingerfeld all his life; his father
was guardian of her two sons during
their minority; later witness succeeded
mis- father i'll attending to Mrs. DIS.
financial affairs; he had married and
moved opposite the residence of tesla
trix, and her family and mis- own had
become very intimate; had lived in ties
tatri3's house during part OF the year
1897, while witnesses family was at
White Sulphur Springs. Many ques-
tons were put, and the substance of his
testimony was TO the effect that be
noticed no particular change in the
physical condition Of the deceased until
within the past few months of her life;
testatrix had managed her own house
hold affairs up to within short time OF
her death; she had realized the import
ance OF this in the face Of the fact that
TWO families were in the house; her men.
| tai powers were intact; she wss firm in
| her purpose, which he knew from per-
sonal experience; the children of the two
families seemed to live in harmony;
testatrix knew all about property wit
ness held for her. he had had numerous
interviews with her regarding her in
come, &C., and explained to the jury
The import of number of receipts, ex
hibits, &c, produced. Witness said
testatrix had been entrenching upon
her principal since 1881; had reduced
her principal about $4,000; testatrix
averaged an expenditure of about
$4,000 year; in the spring Of 1894 it
became known that the late Reverdy
DaingerfleiG had gotten rid of all his
stocks and bonds, and could not Dor
row any more money; testatrlx had
sent forwitness and upbraided him for al
lowing Reverdy to spend ell his money;
the firm Of Burke 81 Herbert had been
| transacting business for Reverdy; tesla
trix said she would help her son; wit
ness raised 81 900 for her, with which
she paid some of Reverdy's debts, that
| aad become pressing; witness described
some real estate (mostly unproductive
at presenD owned by the late Reverdy
Daingerhe!d at the time of his death;
also property OF which the late Henry
Daingerield died possessed; testatrix
| did not like Mrs. Virginia Daingerield,
according to his observations, for about
twelve years; Mrs. Eliza did not like
her daughter n-law's disposition, had
told witness so; the dislike began when
Mrs. Virginia first entered the house;
testatrix avoided her company and told
witness ia the fall of 1885 that she had
made will leaving her money TO Rev.
erdv and his wife and children, the
funds to be held in trust by witness;
witness thought then the will would be
contested; witness had told testatrix so;
warned her of court scene which
would inevitably follow.
The hands of the clock in the court
room indicated that it was ten o'clock,
and the court took a recess until ten
o'clock this morning.
Court met again this morning at ten
o'clock aud the Damea of the jurymen
were called. The usual crowd was pre-
sent.
Mr., Julian Burke again took the
stand and various questions were pro-
pounded him concerning the real
estate, sc, belonging to the danger
field family.
Mr.. johnson presented the appraise-
n,ant of tho astote of the late Harry