The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-23
Attempts to Unravel the Mystery Sur
rounding the Late PhfIo 3. Ben
nett's $4,000 Request.
BRYAN's OFFER TO THE WIDOW
SAYS HE WAS WILLING TO PAY THE
INHERITANCE TAX.
Also that He offered to Give Mrs. Benz
nett the Interest on the Request
Mrs. Bryan Writes Letters.

NEW HAVEN, Conn, Oct. civilian
]. Bryan again occupied the witness stand
in the Probate Court when the hearing on
the application for probating the will of the
late Philo S. Bennett was resumed to-day.
great deal of the ground that was COW
cred yesterday was gone over again during
the cross-examnation to which Mr.. Bryan
was subjected by Judge Henry Stoddard,
counsel for Mrs. Bennett, the widow.
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 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 il was so understood be-
tween himself and Mr.. Bennett, and that
after Mr.. Benefits death he told Mrs. Ben
nett about the arrangement.
Judge Stoddard then asked Mr.. Bryan IL
any one was present beside himself and Mr..
Bennett when they discussed that 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 typewriter, one
TO Mrs. Bennett and one to himself relat-
ing to this point.
Judge Stoddard also inquired why it was
not stated in the letter to Mrs Bennett that
Mrs. Bryan knew the contents of this sealed
letter. since that letter said the writer pre-
ferred to have no one know 1t but Mrs:
that he had told Mrs. Bennett the details
OF the agreement when he came here after
Mr.. Benefits death. He added that he pre-
sumed IL had not occurred to either Mr.. Ben
nett or himself to mention Mrs. Bryan in
the letter.
The witness was asked to explain why he
had received $500 from Mr.. Bennett at the
time the will was drawn UP. and stated that
while there was nothing said about il he
supposed IL to be for drawing up the docu-
ment.
regarding some offers he had made to Mrs
Bennett with regard to the $4,000 bequest to
himself and family. Mr.. Bryan said he had
told Mrs. Bennett that he was willing 10
pay the inheritance tax on the entire $50, 0CC
bequest out of his $4,000 portion, and that
he would give her $500 in trust for three
persons who were her relatives. the remain
bonds and the interest TO be paid to Mrs
Bennett unless he should need IL in case OF
broken health or in case of her death.
When Judge Stoddard asked the witness
IL Mr.. Bennett had ever made any invest
ments for him Mr.. Bryan replied that he
had made investments Of the Commoner
fund, buying government 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 it ever suggested by
yourself or Mrs. Bryan that he give you
| the $4,000
mo. sir. we never suggested it. 1t came
| as surprise to us when Mr.. Bennett made
| the suggestion himself.
The witness then said that he had used
| a portion of a previous will which had beer
| executed by Mr.. Bennett in drafting the
last one.
James d. DsweIl, a wholesale grocer
| Mr.. Bennett He had always believed him
| to be shrewd. capable business man and
bore a reputation as such. Replying &c
| questions, he stated that Mr.. Bennett ap-
| peared to be in good mental condition al
| the time when he last saw him, which
| casion the witness went to New York with
| him. He was a man, said the witness
| whose opinion could be not easily changed
| At this point Judge Stoddard interrupted
! with the question, did he worship Mr.
| Bryan
Witness replied: ST always knew that he
| held the highest opinion of him.
Mr.. Bryan then made statement which
| somewhat modified his answer that ne
| money had been invested for Mrs. Bryan
| by Mr.. Bennett. He said that when he re-
| ceived the royalties on his book. 1.-The FRS
| Battle he gave Mrs. Bryan, who wrote the
| biographical sketch a sum amounting Il
| about $4,000. This was invested for her. h,
| said but he could not recall whether ii wa.
/ by Mr. Bennett or by a Chicago firm.
| The case was adjourned until Monday
| evening.