The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-10-27
BRYAN AGAIN on STAND.
Testifies About the Requests to Hin
by PhiIO =.

New Haven. Conn. October 22.-W.l-
liam ]. Bryan again occupied the wit
ness stand in the probate court when
the hearing on the application for pro-
batting the Will of the late Philo s. Ben
nett was resumed today. Judge Sto1-
dard spent considerable time in ash
ing Mr.. Bryan why 1T was that in the
letter which was left for Mrs. Bennett,
by her husband, directing her to give
Mr.. Bryan SO. 900 for himself and
family it was not stated hat a certain
part of the fund was to be given to
Mrs. Bryan and part to the children.
Mr.. Bryan replied that he did MT
know. but that it was so understood
between himself and Mr.. Bennett.
Judge Stoddard then asked Mr.. Bryan
if any one was present besides him
self and Mr.. Bennett when they dis
cussed the letter in which the BE-
quest should be made to Mrs. Bryan.
The witness answered tina t he did
not remember, but thought that MIS-.
Bryan was not present, although she
afterwards wrote the two letters on a
type writer. one to Mrs. Bennett and
one t o himself relating to this point.
Mr.. Bryan said hat he had told Mrs.
Bennett the details of the agreement
when he came after Mr.. Benefits
death. He added that he presumed
that il had not occurred to either Mr..
Bennett or himself to mention Mrs.
Bryan in the letter. The witness was
asked to explain why he received $500
from Nj. Bennett at the time the will
was draw up. and stated that while
there was nothing said about it, he
supposed it vas for drawing up the
document.
When Judge Stoddard asked the wit
ness If Mr.. Bennett had eve made any
investments for him. Mr.. Bryan replied
that he had made investments OF the
Commoner fund, buying government
bonds with the proceeds Of the sub
scriptiOns which came in advance.
He also said thai Mr.. Bennett had
never mad an investment for Mrs.
Bryan.
Lawyer Newton then asked his client,
Mr.. Bryan:
WA 1t ever suggested by yourself
or Mrs. Bryan that he give o the
| $50. OGO?"
mo, sir, we never suggested it. 1t
came as a surprise to US when Mr..
Bennett mad the suggestion himself"
The witness then said he had used
a portion of Il previous will which had
been executed by Mr.. Bennett in draf,-
ing the last one.
James D.. DewelI a wholesale grocer
A SldNGd I4d " l4ohS SCdlo 4S Ia
known Mr.. ennet and he had always
| believed him to be Il Shrewd capable
business man and bore a reputation
as such. Replying to questions he
stated hat Mr.. Bennett appeared 10
be in gOOd mental condition at the
time when he last saw him. which was
shortly before his death. On this ocCa-
sion the witness rode to New York
with him. He was a man said n WI.
| ness whose opinion could not be easily
changed.
At this point Judge StOddard inter
rupted with the question
| Did he worship Mr.. Bryan?"
Witness replied: I always knew that
he held the highest opinion of him.
Mr.. Bryan then made a statement
which somewhat modified his answer
that no money had been invested for
Mrs. Bryan by Mr.. Bennett. He said
that when he received the royalties OF
| his boo The First Battle" he gave
Mrs. Bryan, who wrote the ~biograpnf-
| cal sketch. a sun amounting to about
| $4,000.
This was invested for her, he said.
| but he could not recall whether 1t was
by Mr.. Bennett or by a Chicago firm.
The case was adjourned until Mon
| day evening.