The Newtown bee., 1901-07-26

The hearing before Charles Henry Peck and w. A. Leonard as cOmmis.
 sioners on the estate of the late George Whitlow Seaman of Dodgingtown was
 begun on Friday last at the Brick
 building. Attorney Howard Taylor ot
 Danbury appeared for the remon. strants and Attorney c. Fl. Northror
 for the administrator. The estate
 amounts to about $2, 300 in cash.
 George Crane, the administrators, pre-
 sented a bill for board and services
 Seaman amounting to S1 200 and up
 wards. This was objected to as un-
 reasonable by the only heir, Mrs Abi-
 gail Warren, sister of the deceased,
 and her son-in-law, w. s. Haines, of
 Plumtrees. MT Crane is also a son-in-
 law of Mrs Warren. MT Crane took
 the stand, Friday, and told how for
 years he had taken care of Seaman
 when none other of the relatives would
 have him. How he had fed, clothed,
 washed and shaved him. That he was
 an unpleasant person to have around.
 I. w. Andrews, Francis B. Andrews
 and Eleazer c. Bevans testified they
 would not have him around for any
 amount of money, and MT Bevans
 stated he believed Seaman was fool.
 At this time an adjournment was
 taken to Tuesday at 10 a. m. At that
 hour w. s. HaineS of PlumtreeS took
 the stand. He testified that Seaman came to Bethel from New York state P years ago and took up his residence
 with George Crane. That he often saw Seaman about MT Cranes with clothes that would not fit him. That
 he had on pants without buttons on,
 his Suspenders being held on by nails
 inserted through the cloth. Had ob- served him when he was not fit to be seen and when his clothes did not cover up his nakedness. Haines testi- fled that he had eaten something like 400 meals at MT Cranes house and that Seaman ate at the second table. Had seen Seaman driving cows, saving and splitting wood, feeding hogs, cleaning out stables and bringing in how much his services were worth, MT HaineS thought S4 month was a fair average He testified that he had been on good terms with MT Crane up to a year ago.
 John Carson testified that he had seen Seaman going after COWS, and saving wood. He did not think Sea man was worth his board and clothes. Had seen him asleep in the house in the daytime. Seaman was attired as an ordinary man would be dressed.
 Andrew Falls had known Seaman for 20 years. Had seen him driving COWS, working at wood pile and cutting weeds with a scythe. That Seaman had clothes enough on. When asked how much his services were worth, Ea1l 1o, hx h George only knows that.'' He thought, however, that part of the year he was worth his board and part of the time not.
 Mrs Abigail Warren, sister of the late MT Seaman, testified she had been a frequent visitor at MT Cranes. She testified that Seaman was in the ha bit of taking care of the stock, washing dishes, churning, bringing in wood, peeling potatoes and apples for the household. About four years ago had seen him moving in the lot. That she had seen Seaman washing out his own clothes. If Seaman went away for visit, Crane was sure to go after him. Mrs Warren thought he was worth more than his board and keep. That Seaman had received $8 month in York state. That Mrs Platt, Mrs Cranes daughter, had sent her word that she could have S1, 900 if she would leave Miss Haines. That Seaman, while not capable of transa cting busi- ness, about great many things was as bright as the next one.
 Miss Annie K. HaineS testified she was 25 years old and had known Sea man for 20 years. That she had seen him bring the COWS, churn, carry in water to the house and work at the wood pile. Had seen him wash his own clothes. Had seen him when he was not clothed in respectable man. ner, wearing all sized garments, evil dently cast-off clothes. Had heard MT Crane say Seaman was more bother than he was worth. Had heard him use profanity. Never knew of his or choking Mrs Crane.
 At this point the arguments were made. Attorney NorthrOp made presentation of MT Cranes calm. He stated in opening that it was matter which ought to have been adjusted outside of the courts. Sea- man was man who the judge of pro- bate had found incompetent to man. age his affairs. We will show that none of the friends of Seaman would have anything to do with him and that the whole burden fell on MT Crane. Is MT Crane s claim a just one? We claim he has not charged as much IS he ought to have done. Here is a man incompetent, indecent and pro- lane, great care, and under these we claim Mir Cranes | charges are reasonable. If MT Crane | lad desired to be dishonest, he had | ample chance to make out any sort of | ! bill. But the honest man that he is le only asks for $2OO a year for six l 1earS. Near neighbOrs come in and | swear they would not have Seaman lround for any money. It hasn't been proved that he was capable of doing my hard work. Who antagonizes this ;laim of MT Crane? Mrs Warren, al- though for years she collected the in- crest due on his property Did she 10 anything for him? Mo- Simply bought few socks and little tobac- Q: And when you come to look at uestion of spite. Then take the at itude of this man Haines. Not being atistied with his lawyer he openly him. His daughters testi- nOny is also to be given very little 1eight. Consider, then, what MT ;rane did for this man. Cared for i'm in health and sickness. Wit esses prove he was of very little value 0 MT Crane. MT Cranes claim is a cry just one and you could scarcely nd another man who would present Q reasonable a bill
 Attorney Taylor in opening for his lients said it was only fair to assume hat the old fellow was worth his keep nd that the balance was not in George ranes favor. One hand washed the ther in the relations between Crane { nd Seaman. This is horse sense. When Seaman went off to York state ou notice how quickly Crane went fter him. He then referred to the | ;rong impression Mrs Warren made