New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-23
BRYAN A WITNESS.
HIS GIFT Il SURPRISE.
otter BENEFITS Death Wdozc Has
Told about the Beouest


DAY at the hearing on the application for pro0at-
ing the viii of the late Philo s Bennett Judge
hehry S1odoard counsel for Mrs. Bennett, spent
considerable time in asking Mr. Bryan why II
that IN the letter which was left for Mrs. Ben
nett by her husband. directing her to give Mr..
Bryan $4,000 for himself and family it was not
stated that a certain part Of the fund was to be
given TO Mrs Bryan and part to the children Mr.
Bryan replied that he did not know. but that it
was so understood between himself and Mr. Ben
nett. and that after Mr. BENEFITS death he told
Mrs. Bennett about the arrangement
Judge stoddard then asked Mr.. Bryan il any
was present besides himself and Mr. Bennett when
they they discussed the letter in WHICH the request
he did not remember. but thought that Mrs Bryan
the two letters on a typewriter one to Mrs Ben
nett and one to himself. relating TO this point
We're the forms OF Letters agreed upon by you
and Mr.. Bennett asked counsel for the widow.
DO you know why you put this expression in
the letter to Mrs. Bennett: I wish one except
quest? Didn't you know that Mrs. Bryan knew
Il don't know why did it." replied Mr. Bryan
why didn't you tell Mrs Bennett the truth?
When did you tell her that you knew OF this let
After Mr.. Benefits death
The 4, Letter sta states a GIVE 10000 70 your wife and and
statement put in the letter to Mrs. BennettT'
MR.. BRYAN DOES NOT KNOW.
why was the erroneous statement sent to Mrs.
Bennett?"
Y suppose that the letter 70 Mrs. Bennett was
meant to be about the trust for me-"
When you were carving up the Bennett estate
why didn't you tell the widow what you were do
4 thought that W made it clear" -.
Colonel Bryan said he told Mrs 15enneLt DsA ~
The contest what disposition he would make OF the
age or against a bras kdown. 7 told her l didn't
need It while my health was good also tod her
$500 would give her $500 N trust to be used
for purposes which we had talked over. II con-
cerned three persons. two Of whom were her reia-
= thought that IF the will were made this year
instead Of three years ago Mr.. Bennett might make
b boe ~ ~ i7 i ~ ~ s- ~ bonds and that
the income be paid TO Mrs. Bennett as long as
she needed it or until my health became impaired ed.
or in the event Of nay death she was 20 De the
sole fudge whether she needed it 80, -
Who was TO judge whether your health was
TT was not stated"
Mr.. Bryan then fastened to add that he pre-
sunled neither Mr.. Bennett nor himself had
10 explain why he had received $500 from Mr. Ben
nett at the time the viii was drawn he reph go
supposed it was for drawing UP the document
REQUEST A SURPRISE.
When Judge stoddard asked If Mr.. Bennett had
ever made any investments for him. Mr.. Bryan re-
Piled that he had made investments OF The Com
rnoner" fund. buying government bonds with the
proceeds Of the subscriptions which came in ad-
vance He also said that Mr.. Bennett had never
made an investment for Mrs Bryan -
Mr.. Newton then asked his client AR Eryan-
Was IL suggested by yourself OF MIS-. Bryan
that he gave you the $5o,co0?'
No sir: we never suggested it Il came as a
surprise TO US when Mr.. Bennett made the sugges,,
ion himself" Mr.. Bryan added that ne had USED
a mart Of a previous will in drafting the last one.
lanes D I)evelI a wholesale grocer, said ne mad
known Mr. Bennett. and had always believed him
10 be n shrewd. capable business man, and IN GOOD
mental condition when he last saw hiI1 winch was
shortly before his death.
HIGH OPINION OF BRYAN.
Judge stoddard interrupted: Did he worship Mr..
Bryan"
IT always knew that he held the highest opinion
OF him" replied Mr. Dewel
M Bryan then made a statement which some
what modified hts answer that no money had been
Invested for Mrs Bryan by Nj. Bennett he sac
thar when he received the royalties on his book.
THE First Battle" he gave Mrs. Bryan, who wrote
the biographical sketch, about S.UrO. Ihls was
invested for her he said, but he could not recaI
whether II was by Mr.. Bennett or py a chicago
Arm case adjourned until Monday even
ing II the decision is adverse MI Bryan says ne
will appeal. 49,. -. -,
Democratic party. retained counsel To-Day. t4lth-
arrO he had conducted his case. He said ne wished
70 withdraw the statement he made yesterday 10
the effect that If the widow objected 10 MS or MS
feuslvs taking the money given him in the Bennett
he would charitable purposes
Prvau told the court that he had changed MS
decision and that he would now insist upon the use
OF the money requested by MT beTIeiL lot nm
safF and his family for the sake or running the
ssq- pa added that last night his intention
was to relinquish all claim upon me estate ouf
sF+ervard he decided that by so doing ne would
ieoDarcfz the rights OF the colleges and insuIu-
lions TO which he asked by Nj. Bennett 20 dls-
tribute part Of his property 1hat me 1850
Ia re would defend the requests made IN the VIII
=. birnseIf Family and the charitable institutions