Evening journal., 1903-10-23
VI. ]. BRYAN UNDER
HOT Cross FIRE
Sharply Examined AS to His
Action in the Bennett
Will Case
TOLD WIDOW OF THE BEQUEST

New Haven, Conn, Oct. 2S.Awillian
]. Bryan again occupied the witness
stand in the probate court when the
hearing on the application for probat-
ing the will of the late Philo S. Ben
nett was resumed. Judge Stoddard
spent considerable time in asking Mr..
Bryan why it was that in the letter
which was left for Mrs. Bennett 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.
Rryan replied that he did not know,
but that it was so understood between
himself and Mr.. Bennett, and that af-
Ter Mr. Benefits death he told Mrs.
Bennett about the arrangement. Judge
Stoddard then asked Mr.. Bryan If any
one was present beside himself and
Mr.. Bennett when they discussed the
letter in which the bequest should be
made to Mrs. Bennett The witness
answered that he did not remember,
but thought that Mrs. Bryan was not
present. although she afterward wrote
the two letters on a typewriter, one
to Mrs. Bennett and one to himself
relating to this point.
why didn't you tell the widow the
TRUTH" was the sharp query Of the
examiner
Mr.. Bryan replied that there was no
intention to conceal the fact that
Mrs. Bryan was to know, but he said
neither thought of adding her name
in the case.
Mr.. Stoddard then questioned tho
witness regarding some offers he had
made to Mrs. Bennett with regard to
the $4,000 bequest to himself and fam
lily. Mr. Bryan said that he had told
Mrs. Bennett that he was willing to
pay the inheritance tax on the entire
S50,000 bequest out of his $4,000 por-
ton. and that he would give her S2,50O
in trust for three persons who were
her relatives, the balance to be in
vested by him in government bonds,
and the interest to be paid to Mrs.
Bennett, unless he should need it be-
cause of broken health or in case of
her death.
When Judge Stoddard asked the wit
ness If Mr.. Bennett had ever made any
investments for him. Mr.. Bryan re
piled that he had made investments of
the Commoner fund, buying govern
ment bonds with the proceeds of the
subscriptions which came in advance.
He also said that Mr.. Bennett had
never made an investment for Mrs.
Bryan.
Lawyer Newton then asked his
client. Mr. Bryan: WAS 1t ever sug
gested by yourself or Mrs. Bryan that
he give you the S50,000?"
mo, sir; we never suggested It. Il
came as a surprise to us when Mr.
Bennett made the suggestion him
self"
James d. Dewell, a wholesale
grocer, stated that for many years he
had known Mr.. Bennett. He had al
ways believed him to be a shrewd
capable business man and bore a repu
tation as such.
Replying to questions. he stated that
Mr.. Bennett appeared to be in good
mental condition at the time when he
last saw him. which was shortly be
fore his death. On this occasion the
witness rode to New York with him
He was a man, said the witness, whose
opinion could not easily be changed
At this point Judge Stoddard inter
rupted with the question: did h'
worship Mr.. Bryan?"
Witness replied: Il always knew
that he held the highest opinion o.
l him"
The case was adjourned until Mon
| dav EVENING