The times., 1899-03-30
Third Y OF THE
DAlNGERFlELD TRIAL
Medical Testimony as to the
TestatriX's Mind.
Conflict of Evidence Bearing Upon
Her Mental Condition.
The suicide OF Two sons Plays n
Prominent Part i'm
the Case.

Alexandria. March 29.-When the third
days session of the Daingerheld' contested
will case opened this morning, before
Judge Nicol, the large crowd which had
characterized the previous sessions was
present Shortly after 10 O'Clock the mem
bers of the two families to the suit ap-
peared and took their accustomed seats.
| Mrs. Virginia Daingerfield was called, and
notwithstanding objections from the other
| side. was permitted by the court to con-
| tinue her testimony. The witness stated
| that two of her sons were absent from
home at different intervals, and that their
expenses had been paid by her; the testa-
| trix had ceased to contribute to the chill
dren.
| The next witness called was Richard
| Gemeny. He testified that during the year
| 1886 he was employed in the brokerage
Office of H. C. Ward. in Washington, as
| telegraph operator; he knew Mrs. Efiie
Daingerfeld as a patron of the house with
which he was connected. and had fire.
quently known her to speculate in stocks
on some occasions her dealings amounted
to as much as 5000. Counsel for contest
ant stated that the bank book OF the testa-
trix for 1897 had been produced, but that
for 1896 had not been presented.
| Abraham McCorkle, coored, testified
that he had been employed in the Dain-
gerfleld family for many years; he was the
| man of all work" When he was first
employed in the family Mrs Eliza Dain-
gerfield was regarded by him as a woman
of strong mind. Some months prior to her
| death she had severe attacks of illness.
| and there had been a decided change in her
| general condition; she was forgetful and
| her mind was apparently impaired; she
l., nat.,
gerfed and his little sister Catherine.
One OF the duties of the witness was to
| bring products from the Springfield farm
during the life of Henry Daingerfeld
After his death, however, this was chang
ed, and the farm products were purchased
by direction of Mrs. Eliza Daingerfield.
from the market or stores. On one oc-
casion when the testatrix had settled an
account contracted by Henry Daingerfeld,
jr., George Ayres. from whom the articles
were purchased, was warned not to allow
Henry to have anything further on ac-
count
The witness was cross examined and
stated that he regarded the testatrix as a
person of strong mind, she had exercised
supervision over everything pertaining to
her family. although Miss Salie usually
assumed control of affairs when the grand
mother was incapacitated For some years
prior to the death Of the testatrix the
| witness gave instances of her forgetful-
ness, and during this period he stated that
Miss Sallie seemed to have charge of the
affairs OF the family.
Richard Gemeny, being recalled, stated
that Mrs. Effie Daingerfeld's transactions
with his house had been by cash payments
and due bills.
The next witness was Mrs. Robert F.
Knox. relative of the testatrix She
had witnessed will of the testatrix made
in 1883. She was familiar with the un-
pleasant relations existing between Mrs
Eliza and Mrs. Virginia Daingerfield, bu
did not know the cause of the strained
relations. The testatrix had stated TO th'
4 witness that her son, Reverdy. was with
ont means, and had nothing but what sh,
gave him. The testatriX had been at
| tended during her last Illness by Mrs
Virginia Daingerfeld, who, SO far as III
witness had been able TO observe, did al
in her power for her mother -in-law. Mrs
Knox had seen a second will, but lie
membered no particulars.
Miss Lille Smith testified that she ha'
witnessed will dated in 1883. and anothe
in the fall of 1894, for the testatrix, tn
latter viii being after the death of Henr
Daingerfeld.
Capt. R. F. Knox substantiated the tes
timony of his wife and her sister.
DIR. Tompkins Testifies.
Some delay followed during which ccun
sci argued on the introduction of copie
of prescriptions furnished Mrs. Eliza Dain
gerfield during her last Illness; the cour
ruled that the original prescriptions woul
be received in evidence.
Dr. E. L. Tompkins, OF Washington, wa
then called. He stated that he was ma
tive of Richmond, Va. now residing at Isl
Q Street northwest. Washington. He wa
a specialist in nervous diseases He wa
questioned by Mr.. Moore, counsel for con
testant, relative to the effect of the variou
occurrences to which the mental facu tie
of Mrs. Eliza Daingerfeld had been sub
jected during the latter years OF her lif'
He referred to the advanced age of Mr.:
Daingerfield. with two married sons an
their families; that both of these sons ha
taken their own lives under the same roof
that she had been subject to spells of sick
ness and finally paralytic stroke 81
L months prior to her death; her memory an
eye-sight We're impaired; spelled her nam
differently on various occasions; all idea
of business had apparently vanished: key.
money, and other articles would be lost b
i her; declined to write letters or pay atten
tion to business affairs; did not appear I
y realize that dear friend was dead. He
acts at times showed her mind to be in
: confused state; that she had made vii
equally dividing her property, and befor
her death drew another ignoring one of he
! sons family. Her sensibilities had bee
= subjected to terrible shocks in the decin
o ing days OF her life by a scandal in which
= female member of her family was the pEin
0 cipal actor; that her unnatural acts of hos
; tillty toward Mrs. Henry Daingerfeld wer
c apparent to all in the house.
What in your opinion could have bee.
:; the effect, or, TO begin with, what was III
. cause of her paralytic stroke asked
I Counsel for Mrs. Etfie Daingerfield OBJ
THINK THIS OVER.