The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-01
MRS. WALKER
WITNESS IN
WILL CASE

For over three hours Mrs. Walker.
mother OF the appellant I'm the controversy
over the will ID the late General William
r. Walker. was on the witness stand to-
day in Presiding Justice Sweetland's d.
vision OF the Superior court. Her testi-
mony on many important points involved
was not particularly strong.
General Walker, by the will probate. Of
which is under consideration, left his
granddaughter. BESSIE G. Walker $40 a
month while his second wife might: after
he death OF the latter Bessie c. Walker
was to received $50 a month, and should
she have children they were 20 receive
5000. The property was left in trust and
W. Howard Walker, a son. long associ-
ated in business with the deceased, was
both executor Of the will n trustee.
Mrs. Walker said in the course OF her
cross-examlnation today that General
Walker was a kind and generous man.
She and her daughter lived at his home
until 1901. He supported them, though
Mrs. Walker claims that she loaned him
at different times money that aggregated
the sum OF $500. OF his she acknowl-
edges having been paid back $500 by w.
Howard Walker.
Mrs. Walker claimed that Gen. Walker
said on one occasion she and her daugh-
ter would live with him always. and
Bessie would have her fathers share.
Asked by Mr.. Edwards Of counsel for
the proponents of the will to state Just
the words used about having her fathers
share. witness did not give n definite re-
ply, and finally admitted share might
nave referred 10 affection. After a num-
Der OF other questions witness was asked
when Naturalization, health began TO fail
him, and the reply was about the time Of
his second marriage, lie seemed. ac-
cording 10 the witness, 10 grow childish
about that time.
Mr.. Edwards asked II she opposed this
second marriage and witness said she
had no right 90 interfere Witness was
very guarded iu her statements about
this marriage. but finally admitted II
would have done no good for anyone To
interfere. as Con. Walker was accustomed
To- having his own way.
Mrs. Walker told OF visits OF Gen.
Walker and his wife 10 her home on
Thanksgiving day. 1904. and Thanksgiving
duy. 1908. She was asked particularly
about whether ne was rational and sane
i'm his conduct on those occasions, but the
point she insisted on was that he was
childish.
Witness testified she once had n talk
with ". Howard Walker about Margaret
Han. a cousin OF the testator's first wife.
who gets 500 a month 10y the Will, and
Howard said only FOR his efforts Mar
garct would have got nothing by Tho will.
Mrs. Walker admitted that Margaret Han
had lived with General Walker since she
was - months old and counsel asked
witness n she believed that Il was neccs-
sary for Howard Walker TO interfere in
Margaret behalf, witness repealed the
statement
when she heard the will read Bessie,
according 90 witness. aid. that does not
sound like my grandfather % and declared
there had been undue influence. W How
ard walker heard the remark but said
nothing
Witness said her W comment on the
will. made 90 Howard. was 1T IS very
funny he diduot leave anything 10 me. ,
Howard replied. "No. did not leave any
Trims &C. Hattie GIowarG's wifeD" on an
other occasion witness claimed she said
TO Howard. you know Bessie Is not well
and cannot work HE reply was he had
his own 20 look Que for.
Mrs. Walker told about n receipt T1vrT
FOR tho 500 returned on the loan. Cen.
walker and Howard both ~ seems put
their names ON the paper. There was a
reference Goo the receipts 90 notes but
witness claimcd Con. walker never gave
her ans notes.
The amount OF Tho estate left by Gen.
Walker ls t1t '1n John w. Hogan e. at
toruc FOR thr contestant and Edwards
& Angel represent tie proponents OF the
Will.