The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-02-06
TRIAL OF EX-GOT, VALLER, EFT. ~.
Attorney Page, One of the Defendants,
MISUNDERSTANDING Facts LIKELY.

| New York, Feb. 5--Justice Bischoff
| in the supreme court heard testimony
to-day in behalf of the defendants in
| the suit brought against former Gov
efnor Waller of Connecticut, Alfred r.
Page and others by Joseph w. Pullar.
The testimony for the plaintiff is all
in. By it the plaintiff seeks to show
that by reason of continued debauch
| he had been rendered mentally incom-
| petent.
| Mr. Page was the first witness for
the defense. He began by telling of his
various interviews with Pullar and his
subsequent movement in his behalf In
| consequence of a number of legal pro-
| ceedings that he had begun as result
| of the will left by Pullars second wife.
Page admitted that he had practically
| advised Pullar to keep out of the jur-
| isdiction of the court of this state. He
said that he told Pullar that his pres
| ence in the city would have an irritat-
ing effect and that If he had no press
| ing business here it would be just as
we'll for him to keep away. During the
negotiations which Page had in charge
Pullar was fearful that he might be ar
| rested for bigamy. The witness said
that he had tried to bring about set
tlement Of the will contest and with
this idea had consulted with Governor
Waller, who was acting for the other
heirs.
Page said that he told Pullar that the
other heirs declared that under the cir
cumstances Of the making of the will,
he, Pullar was not entitled to any
thing. During all these negotiations
did you ever see Pullar under the in
auence Of drink" asked General Bur-
nett II never saw Pullar under the
influence Of liquor in all my life" re-
piled Page, emphatically. Page said
that in the negotiations PullarS agreed
to give up two-thirds of the estate but
that the heirs demanded four-fifths.
Coming down to the night the con-
tract was made Page said that he saw
Pullar take one drink-a Manhattan
cocktail-before his dinner. He said
that after they had got to the hotel
where the meeting was held Governor
Waller told Pullar that the matter
would have to be settled at once. I'VE
do not believe that you are entitled to
anything" Governor Waller said to
Pullar, according to Page. I'VE are not
police court lawyers and we do not
want this matter exploited If it can be
avoided. We are prepared to give you
one quarter Of the estate in settlement.
This is the very best compromise we
will make,
Page said that he subsequently had
private interview with Pullar and that
Pullar agreed to the proposition made
by Governor Waller. Page said that
there was considerable discussion as to
the form of the contract and that Pull
ar made frequent suggestions as to the
form. Owing to the litigation it was
suggested that the counsel for both
sides should act as trustees Of the es-
tate Page said that a suggestion was
made that he should receive -twen-
ty-fourth of the estate as his fee, but
he objected. Mr.. Page denied that he
had advised Pullar to change his name
or remain outside of New York for five
years.
In closing the direct examination
General Barnett asked: Were any
suspicious facts brought to your atten-
ton at any time during the litigation
the death of Mrs. Pullar?"
Eyes, there, were. They were told to
me by Mr. Carleton This line of ex-
animation was not pursued by counsel.
Early in the trial it was intimated that
the defense would bring out startling
facts regarding Mrs. Pullars DEATH
The trial will be continued Tomorrow