The San Francisco call., 1904-12-08
USE SCHANDER'
own TESTIMONY

Though an uncle of Bertha Dolbeer,
Adolph Schander did not even have a
speaking acquaintance with her. His
own statements under oath to this eff
feet were read to the jury yesterday.
His claim to a third of her estate is
based on his tie of consanguinity, yet
he gave testimony that after she was 3
years of age he saw her but twice. on
one occasion having her pointed out to
him by his son in the Palace Hotel
court and on the other seeing her on
the street.
Miss Dolbeer did not know him, and
to him she was virtually an utter
stranger. Schander was a brother of
Miss Dolbeer's mother.
To show how removed the contestant
was from the life of the testatrix and
her reasonable justification for ignoring
him in her will the proponents yester-
day produced the transcript of Schand-
er's testimony taken at a preliminary
hearing in the contest.
F. A. Parker, vault clerk testified
that April 25, 1904, was the date of the
last visit of Bertha Dolbeer to her
safety deposit box. where her will was
found. 1t was undoubtedly on that day
that she deposited the testament there.
Mrs. Lena r. Thompson of Chicago,
who came to testify in response to a
request from the proponents, said she
became acquainted with the testatrix
five years ago. Two years later the
witness saw Miss Dolbeer and Miss
Warren for four hours in Chicago while
they were on their way home from the
East
Last April Miss Dolbeer telegraphed
from San Francisco before starting on
her last trip to Europe what day she
would be in Chicago, and asked Mrs.
Thompson to take luncheon with her
and Miss Warren. The witness de-
scribed the luncheon, which was fol-
lowed by a matinee theater party. The
testatriX was in cheerful spirit and
spoke enthusiastically in anticipation
of the enjoyment she expected to find
in her stay in Europe.
In my opinion Miss Dolbeer was per-
fectly rational and of sane mind at all
times" declared the witness.
Gale Thompson, husband of the pre-
vious witness, gave confederation to
her testimony. $a
RATIONAL DURING VOYAGE.
The deposition of William B. Leonard
a passenger on the steamer on which
Miss Dolbeer and Miss Warren crossed
the Atlantic to, Europe, was read tc
the jury, The witness helped them tc
arrange for rooms at the London hotel
He saw Miss DoIbeer frequently about
the hostelry and had many conversa-
tions with her.
She was rational in every way
said the witness when, asked his opin-
ion as to Miss Dolbeer's mental condi-
ton.
The witness and his wife were also
on the Deutschland, on which Miss DOL
beer and Miss Warren returned to
America. The testatrix was in buoyant
spirits and gave. every evidence OF
sound mind. q
Edward Bosqui, who knew John Dol
beer from the early days and later his
wife and then his, daughter, gave the
jury his opinion that. no members OF
the family. We're ever of unsound mind
1t was true that Mrs. Dolbeer COM
mitted suicide, but so far as he was
insane. The witness never heard of her
being taken to hospitals for treatment
for her mental condition.
Mrs. Charles A. Laton had known
the testatrix intimately. having met
her frequently in this city and at De
Monte. Miss Dolbeer was very con-
siderate of old people and that was
what attracted me to her." said the
witness.
No. | noticed nothing strange oI
unusual about her at any time" Mrs
Laton answered she was always
cheerful, courteous and very agreeable
So far as my memory, my Judgment OF
my opinion is concerned Miss Dolbeel
was rational at all times.
Mrs, Elizabeth A. Vandall. who was
a friend of Mrs. Dolbeer before hel
marriage to John Dolbeer and later
lived as a neighbor on Lombard street
testified that at the time of Bertha
Dolbeer's birth the mother was OF
healthy mind and caused no suspicion
WhateNer 10 raitx Mrs IolIae,