The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-04
WARREN'S
MIND WAS
UNSCUND
Claim Made by His Daughter,
Mrs. Bates, Who Is Contest
Ing Probate Of His Will.

There was some interesting testimony
given In Judge Dubois court today in
the trial OF the appeal of Mrs. Elizabeth
Bates from the action OF the Pawtucket
probate court admitting to probate the
will of her father Peter Warren.
The latter left an estate valued at
100000. He gave his daughter SIS
month and the rest OF his property he
left TO Peter Hacking.
Mr.. Warren was So years old when he
died and for ten years or so his prop
erty had been I'm charge of Mr.. Hack
ling. 1t is claimed Mr.. Warren for some
years previous TO his death showed evi-
dences OF failing mind and that when he
made the instrument offered as his Will
he was under the controlling influence
OF Hacking.
Patrick Campbell, who worked for Mr..
Warren at different times during the
last years OF his life told OF number OF
instances OF falling memory and of pecu-
liar actions on Mr.. Warern's part.
Witness said that once Mr.. Warren
gave him a nickle for a quarter and In
sisted that the nickle was 25-cent
piece.
According TO Campbell Warren drank
very hard during the closing years OF his
life. After drinking to excess he would
court. Jurors and witnesses much amuse-
ment by tho manner In which he gave
his testimony.
William Massey, a grocer whose place
OF business was adjoining the house
where Warren lived, had very decided
opinions about the conditions or War
ren's mind during the last few years OF
life. Massey told OF Warrens looking
for his change after making a purchase
and finding the money In his hand.
He also told of Warrents coming into
the store and buying matches instead or
the bread he came for and forgetting many
times what he came 20 Sle store for
On one occasion Mr.. Warren wanted
two loads OF manure drown on Sunday.
He went twice the same Sunday TO de-
mand the manure be sent, but each time
admitted that Sunday was not the proper
day to send Il.
Witness claimed ne demonstrated several
times with Warren about his drinking so
hard Warren would say he could not
help IT, Mr. Massey showed In his tes,i-
mony that he had no very kind feelings
for Hacking, the chief beneficiary unaer
the will I'm CONTROVERSY
According to the witness. Warren was
under the influence Of liquor nearly all
the time for the last seven years. years witness
ment on Mr.. Warren's part TO put his
property I'm the care OF Hacking. once
Warren was confined 20 his couch and
was the trouble with Warren and on wtt-
ness saying that he himself was troubled
with the disease az the result Of his army
life Warren claimed witness had not been
I'm the army. =.
on cross-examination Mr.. Massey said
he was sure the deceased knew witness
had been in the army, as he. witness, was
past commander OF the q. A. r. and de-
ceased had seen his son-in-law's grave
decorated by witness TOR years. one
nh n nvaa l.
ness testified, he believed his wife was
Keeping house for him. though she had
been dead seven years. and the daughter.
Mrs. Bates, was his housekeeper.
There had been n great change IN war.
rem during the last years OF his life. Al
one time witness said Peter Warren was
The last yssrs he drank hard and was
very cr>nky.