The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-11-23
THE COUNTY
COURTS.
The Richards Will Case Again
Argued by Counsel.
Senator Pituey Reviews Evidence
Which Tends to Show That Rich
ards was Easily InfIuenced-EIis
Peculiar Horse Deal Once Rich
ards Tbreatened Suicide Judge
Cutler Answers tine Arguments.

The Richards will case was argued
before Judge Vreeland in the Morris
County Orphans Court on Friday
last. Senator Mahlon Pitney the
counsel for Miss Edith Richards, ca
veator, addressed the court on the res
timony brought to prove that Jona-
than Edward Richards was man
easily influenced, of feeble mind.
and therefore incapable of making a
will. Before the young man had come
CT age, he went to Newark, and fancy
ing trotting horse, gave $50 note
to bind the bargain until he became
of age. The horse was valued at 5000.
Mr.. Meeker, his guardian advised him
to buy less expensive horse, but he
was determined on purchasing it, and
on reaching his majority. he gave 5000
for horse not worth $50. The horse
died soon after coming into his pos
session and veterinary surgeon told
him that the horse had been "doc-
tored. The Senator went on to say
that Richards lacked intelligence, and
that he once sold his share of the farm
products for one year for bay horse,
then traded it for kicking mare, then
sold the latter for 81. At another
time, when boarding, he posted no.
tice to the effect that he was going
to commit suicide at four o'clock.
He, however, never afterwards, said
word about it. He became violent
one day, while boarding at Mr.. Parker s
and smashed all the furniture in the
room, because he did not approve of
attentions paid by some one to Miss
Parker. The Senator spoke of several
other incidents which pointed to the
feeble-mindedness Of the young man.
He said that the will itself, showed
was the strongest evidence that in
fluence had been exercised over him.
The Senator concluded by saying
that if he had been left to himself. he
undoubtedly would never have made
will, and the property would have
gone to his sister as next of kin.
Judge Cutler, in answer to the Sena-
tors argumnet, said that if it was not
proven that undue influence was used
on Richards the will must be admit
ted to probate as it is executed in due
form. Judge Cutler stated thai when
Richards. went to Senator Pitney in
order to bring suit against Meyers. the
man who sold him the horse, the
Senator did not treat him as one of
feeble mind.
Senator Pitney denied this and read
his evidence which showed that he
had told Richards that he had better
have guardian appointed over him
instead of buying race horse.
Mr.. Cutler concluded by saying that
when Mr.. Barkman brought the will
for Richards to sign, Richards said
that it was all right, article for ar
ticle, and that therefore, the young
man knew what he was doing when
he placed his signature on the docu-
ment Court adjourned until Mon
day morning.
The case Of Thomas McNamara VS..
Martin McNamara, his brother, was
taken up Monday morning. The
plaintiff claimed that he was employ
ed by his brother who lives at Whip
pany from October 1897, to January
1899. During this time he said he
had not received any wages.
The jury was out four hours and
brought in verdict in favor of the
defendant.