The times., 1899-03-29
Testimony About the Asbury
Park Episode Admitted.
Testatrix Greatly Shocked Because
Of the Scandal.
The Suit Brings to Light the Many
Family Differences which
Seemed to Prevail.

courtroom was crowded with spectators.
The families of the parties to the contest
occupied the seats which were assigned TO
them yesterday. Judge Nicol stated THAI
he had decided TO admit the testimony con-
cerning an alleged scandal at Asbury Park
in 1899, with which the name Of Mrs. Ellie
Daineerfeld had been prominently con-
nected. He stated, however, that the tes-
timony could not affect the standing of the
legatee. or the validity Of the will, unless
it was shown that the result of the scam
dal had so shocked the testatrix as to af-
feet her in making the will in question.
II was for the jury 10 determine as 10 the
accuracy OF the aspersions, and their eI-
feet upon the mind OF the testatrix. Henry
Dalngerfieid was then recalled. He testi-
fed to information received by his grand
mother of the occurrence at Asbury Park,
and stated that il had been a severe shock
to her; the matter was common talk in
the house. Being urged TO describe the
scandal as illustrated in the papers. he
stated that his grandmother had talked TO
him concerning the affair, and numerous
kilograms had been received al the home
in this city. Counsel for contestants in
troduced a letter in the handwriting of the
testatrix, addressed TO Miss Daingerfield.
In Washington, which referred to the scan
dal. and in which the writer spoke of the
difficulty she experienced in bearing up
under the shock she had received. After
some discussion between counsel Judge
Nicol decided 10 allow the letter TO go in
evidence, reserving the right however, to
exclude il should subsequent events rend-
er such course necessary. Mrs Virginia
Daingerfeid, principal contestant, was
then called. She testified that the letter
referred TO had been sent to her by Miss
Ellen Daingerfield. of Washington, 10
whom Mrs. Eliza Daingerfield, the testa-
trix, had directed it. She admitted hav-
ing asked Miss Daingerfeld for the letter.
Henry Daingerfeld was recalled and tes-
titled to the effect of the scandal rn the
mind OF his grandmother. She had been
in depressed spirits for many months. She
had told the witness that Mrs. Efiie Daing-
erfeld was participant in a terrible scan
dal at Asbury Park with Ed Blunt His
grandmother's health had steadily declined
since his fathers death; frequently he had
seen her cry, and become subject 10 faint
ing spells; such scenes were common after
bis fathers death. On one occasion she
had fallen in her room, where she remain
ed until discovered by a member OF her
family. He described the death of his
grandmother. AT first ii was thought she
had been paralyZed; she remained uncon-
scious up to the time of her death. Prior
10 IeE ueatu ltluDtTs Vi lHe ldiHiis HaI
slept in her room at different times. He
was of opinion that his grandmother's
memory had almost totally failed her for
some months previous TO her death
She would lose her keys and other small
articles which she was unable TO locate so
that eventually anything priced was not
given her. Her business capacity had
entirely failed her. He spoke of the strain
ed relations which had developed among
and Reverdy Daingerfeld, the grand
mother showing more affection for those
of the latter family. Mrs. Effie DANGER
field and her children were constantly
with the testatriX, and private consulta-
tions were frequent. In obtaining pecun-
iary favors from his grandmother il was
necessary for him TO make the requests
In the absence OF his aunt and her chill
dren. In order TO account for the money
which was given him by his grandmother
he pretended TO be engaged in the sale of
farm products. Subsequent to his fathers
death there had been a decided change In
the treatment Of his mother and her chill
dren by the testatrix. The witness was
aware of the fact that his aunt. Mrs Effie
Daingerheld, speculated in the stock
market, and had known of conversations
held on the subject between his aunt and
his grandmother; he has also seen teIe-
grams from Hope Norton, of the New York
Stock Exchange On cross examination no
new developments were ELECTED.
AT the afternoon session Henry DANGER
held was recalled on crosse examination
Richard Mitchell, of Baltimore. was called.
He stated that he was third cousin of
Mrs. Henry Daingerheld and was init
mate with the family and had frequently
visited the Daingerfeld home in this city.
He had noticed a decided change in the
OF he
ter years of her life, and had noticed the
gradual weakening of her once firm men
tai faculties. He recalled the Asbury Park
scandal and apparent effect on the mind of
the testatrix. The subsequent tragedies
had. in the opinion of the witness, caused
q marked change in the disposition of the
deceased lady. Mrs. Eliza Daingerfield's
manner toward Mrs. Henry Daingerfield
since the death OF the latter's husband
had changed and a most violent aversion
was manifested toward her by the testa-
trix. which had caused practically divi.
sion in the family circle. Mrs. Reyerdy
Daingeriield apparently entertained tbs
same feelings toward Mrs. Henry Dain-
gerfeld. He spoke of conversation held
with Mrs. Reverdy Daingeriield, in which
the latter informed him that she and he
children had been left all the property o
Mrs. Eliza Daingerfield. The latter hat
often spoken lovingly of Katherine. th'
little daughter of Mrs. Virginia danger
field.
Henry Daingerheld, ir., seemed 20 hayi
been ignored by many other members o
the family. Mrs. Virginia Daingerfield wa
recalled. She stated that her husband hat
looked after the general affairs of his mo
iher, but her banking account was kept b!
Mr. Burke. In response TO interrogations
she stated that the Asbury Park affair ha'
an apparent depressing effect upon he
mother law, who became nervous sub
sequent 10 the incident when the matte
was referred TO. The testatrix had remark
ed that she feared 'Efiie had run off witt
man or that something else terrible ha
happened" and also that "Effie would d
almost anything for money" The witnes
referred 10 sickness of the deceased. an
that the testatriX had stated that her min
was not what IL had been. Mrs. danger
fields feelings toward the witness were de
cidedly changed after the death of tn
latter's husband. Mrs. Efiie Dalngerfiel
and her family had shown contempt TO
the members OF the witness family, espe
cially in the dining room. The witness al
luded 10 many incidents in the famill
circle. At this point in the proceeding
counsel for the contestants introduced III
will Of Mrs. Eliza Daingerfield in evidence
after the reading of which court adiourne
until o'clock tonight.
When court convened at o'clock tonigh
Mrs. Virginia Daingerfeld was recalled
she was questioned as to the value {
the estate left by her husband, and III
disposition which had been made OF It, TIL
estate left by her husband she stated
amounted TO about $4,000. The witnes
then testified as TO the relations existin
between the testatrix and Mrs. Eff
Daingerfeld. and also relative to the lat
ters dealings in the stock market. Th
next witness called was J. s. b. danger
field. a snn of Mrs Virginia Daiugerfiels