The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-23
Big Bennett Bequest Was Not Suggested
by Him, He Says-Bryan Refused to
Resign as Executor.

, when Mr.. Bennett went to Lincoln &c
have his will drafted by Mr. Bryan ano
| attempted 10 show that all the facts II
relation 10 the conference between Mr.
| Bryan and Mr. Bennett relating 10 the be
quest TO Bryan or to the Bryan family
had not been communicated 10 Mrs
Bennett although the apparent plan had
been TO make her Informed thoroughly
FOR BRYAN ONLY.
In regard TO the letter In which Bryan
| gets $4,000 IL was shown that Mr.. Ben
nett and Mr.. Bryan had prepared copy
! Of letter Mr. Bennett was TO send TO
! Mrs Bennett and similar letter TO Mr..
| Bryan. Mr. Bennett was 10 send these
letters 70 their respective destinations al
ter he should have reached New YORK:
Mr. Bennett had decided that members or
the Bryan family as we'll as Mr.. Bryan
were 10 be remembered in the sealed ct
ter, but the sealed letter remembered Mr..
Bryan only
Judge Stoddard brought out that Mr..
Bennett and Mr.. Bryan had agreed on a
letter 10 Mrs Bennett, advising her OF
the bequest TO Bryan. In which letter II
Bryan were the only ones who knew OF
the bequest. and yet Mrs. Bryan had
knowledge OF the beauest.
who was present at your home when
the forms OF this will and the letters
were prepared" he was asked.
II am not sure that anyone was pres
ent except Mr. Bennett and myself. Mrs:
/
! like 10 say In this connection that Mrs
Bryans study OF law. already referred TO.
was not with the thought OF pracucine
but that we might have more In common.
! She learned 10 write on the typewriter
/ that she might attend TO my correspond
/ ence She did the typewrting on the
WIN and ,ss two lst!ers one to be sent sSs
death OF Mr.. Bennett"
Didn't Mrs. Bryan participate in the
! discussions2"
Didn't che say that Mrs. Bennett
might be unwilling for YOU 10 take this
Il don't think she did"
do you know why YOU said in the let
ter for Mrs Bennett, my desire is that
no one but you and Mr. Bryan shall
know OF the Request when you knew
that Mrs. Bryan was aware OF the con-
tents7"
II don't know of any explanation. re-
piled Mr. Bryan except that In the let
$4,000 was 10 SO to Mrs. Bryan and part
for the children. and ~ was understood
that Mrs Bryan was 10 know.
WHY CONFLICTING STATEMENTS?
why didn't YOU tell Mrs Bennett the
truth in that letter TO her that Mrs
4 Bryan knew al about this7"
There was no intention OF concealinS
| the facts from Mrs. Bennett, but | did
not think it was necessary 20 add Mrs
/ Bryan's name after my name"
'In the letter 10 Mrs. Bennett II wai
stated that $40 600 was 10 go 10 you, snc
IN your letter that s25.ooo was 10 go e
you and $4,000 70 someone else. WHY
those conflicting statements?'
The letter 70 Mrs. Bennett was a,
70 the disposition OF the $4,000 trust and
the one 10 me explained what was 10 N
done with ~
While YOU ws-e carving up this estate
why didn't you tell the widow wha; you
were doing? In the confidential letter
why ala YOU state one thing when che
fats were something else7"
Both letters were shown 20 Mrs. Ben.
nett after Mr. BENEFITS death
That doesn't answer my question.
Now why do YOU not as an attorney
IN this will you were making, state the
faets in the confidential letter 70 the
widow"
II think the letter shows all don't
know OF any other reason
"Mr Bennett paid YOU Sso when Won
drew the will what was that for?"
y suppose II wss FOR drawing the will.
There wae no discussion "a 20 foe He
had several tmes given me money lie
/ simply handed me the amount He was
~ the house two daye then ="
Now about The beduest 20 Mrs Rem
nett ~ three houses IN Brfdgepor, Dld
vnn know - The time that the houses
did not belong % Mfr pennettr''
didn't know about the ttie ~ that
tlme I have n By hear~ay sinco only
nearsay hu, suppose YOU 40 No, ohiec,
~ that7''
Il don't object 70 &C." was Judge s,cd-
dards reply
"Nc. didn't suppoee vou would. ~
pnsa ,, MT Bryan = have heard tina, the
ttie wss W the firm ~ Rernetf q ei,en
All were ~nrtsaged suggested ~