The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-10-27
WI. BRYAN Under FIRE
Sharply Cross-Examined as to Hi
Action in Bennett Will Case.
TOLD WIDOW OF THE ssouss7

Bryan SAID Bennett Made Invest
ments For Him. and the Offer Of
$4,000 In the viii Was Surprise
to Him.
New Haven. Conn, oct %. william
j. Bryan again occupied the witness
stand in the probate court when tn
hearing ON the application for probal-
ing the will of the late Philo ). Ben
nett was resumed. Judge Stoddard
spent considerable time in asking Mr.
Bryan why . was that in the letter
which was Fl Tor Mrs. Bennett b.
her husband, directing her To give Mr.
Bryan $50 900 Tor himself aud family
f. was not stated that a certain part
of tine fund was TO be given to Mrs
Bryan and part 90 the children. Mr.
Bryan replied that hc did not know
but that il was so understood between
himself and MIR. Bennett. and that al.
ter MIR Benefits death he told Mrs.
Bennett about the arrangement. Judge
Stoddard then asked Mr. Bryan II any
one was present beside himself and
Mr. Bennett when they discussed the
letter in which the bequesi should be-
madc 90 Mrs. Bennett. The witness
answered that he did not remember
but thought that Mrs. Bryan was not
present. although she aiterward wrote
Tine two letters ON a typewriter one
to Mis-. Bennett and one 70 himself
relating 90 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 o. conceal the fact that
Mrs. Bryan was 10 know. but he said
neither thought oi adding |er name
In me casr
ST. Sloddari then questioned the
witness re-afiing some offers he hal
made Go Mrs Renncu with regard t1
me SlDD0N Request 10 himself ami lam
ilv Mr Bryan said that he had told
Mra. Bennett that be was willing TO
pay thr inheritance tax ON the entire
SJn.OOn bDpuesi ONT of his S2J.000 pOr-
zion. aud that De- would give her s. 500
m crust lor three persons who were
Der relatives. the balance 10 be ia
vested hy him in government bonds,
and the interest 10 Dee paid to Mrs.
Bennett. unless hc should need IL be-
cause of broken health or in ease Of
her death
When Judge Stoddard asked the wit
ness ID SIR Bennett had ever made any
investments for him. Mr. Bryan re-
piled that ho had made investments OF
tuo Cpmmoncr fund, buying govern
mcut bonds with the proceeds OF the
subscriptions which came in advance.
He also said that Mr.. Bennett had
never made an investment Tor Mrs.
Bryan
Lawyer Newton then asked his
CLIENT Mr. Bryan. Was IL ever sus
gestod bog yourself or Mrs Bryan that
be- give you the 100000"
$50. SIR. We never suggested IL. II
came "a surprise to US when Mr..
Bennett made the suggestion him
SELF"
James u. Dewell. wholesale
grocer stated that for many years he
had Known Mr. Bennett lie had al
ways believed him 10 be shrewd.
capable business man and bore a repu-
tatiou az such.
Replying to questions. he stated that
Mr Bennett appeared TO De in good
mental condition al 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
So this point Judge stoddard inter
ruptad with the question: Did lie
worship Mr. Bryan
Witness replied. 81 always knew
that he held the highest opinion of
him"
The case was adjourned until Mon
day evening.