The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-07
GEN. WALKER
WITNESS IN
WILL CASE

The chief witness today in the trial of
the appeal of Bessie c. Walker from the
action OF the probate court OF Pawtucket,
TN admitting r+e+,.-te III
offered sS the last will and testament OF
Gen. William r. Walker, was w. Howard
Walker the executor and trustee OF the
disputed will. w. Howard Walker went
on the witness stand late yesterday, after
many witnesses had been called 10 show
his father was Of disposing capacity
about the time the will was made.
The case has been on trial several days
and some witnesses on behalf OF Miss
Walker claimed that they heard state
ments OF Gen. Walker that che should
have her fathers share OF the estate
There was testimony that about the time
the will was made Gen. Walker was
on tho ground OF undue influence and Of
lack of testamentary capacity.
II has been intimated all during the
trial that the undue influence alleged was
that OF the trustee, the latter swore that
IL seemed TO him at the time the will was
read that the appellant was disposed to
blame Mrs. Walker. the second wife of
the testator. w. Howard Walker was
for many years a business associate Of
his father.
IN the course Of his testimony w How
ard Walker said that after the will under
consideration was made his father came
10 the office quite disturbed In mind and
said his son George before his death ast-
ed that Bessie be brought up IN the Walk
er family, as he George did not want
her brought up by the CaprOns her
mothers people. Gen Walker then de-
Clared he had fixed everything as he
wanted IL, and said 20 witness you can
DO with my property just as | would do,
no
Witness was asked II his father ever
expressed an opinion Of the Caprons.
Witness replied In the affirmative. Gen.
Walker stated he had left an income to
Bessie and Margaret Hall as they were
women and could not manage things.
Bessie might marry an undesirable party
and IL she should die without children.
and in that case Gen. Walker said he
wanted the property to go back To the
walkers where 1t belonged and not to the
Caprons.
According TO witness Gen. Walker liked
all his grandchildren. one OF the witness
children was named after the general
The next witness WAS asked TO describe
what took place when the Will was open
ed at the home or Bossie's mother.
He said the first comment was made
when the clause providing for an income
OF $40 month for Bessie was read Her
mother then said Bessie cannot live on
that; she must go 10 work" Bessie ac-
cording 20 witness declared IL didn't seem
like her grandfather. Witness explained
that at the death OF the testatOr's widow
Bessie would receive $50 "a month.
Mrs. Walker Bessie's mother. said
there had been undue influence and Bes-
sic expressed no assent Mrs Walker said
Howard unduly inducdccd Gen. Walker
and Ressie said. no. Howard did not do
that" Witness gathered from the insn-
uations that Gen. Walkers second wife
Was blamed by Bcsslc's mother
Fault was found with tho allowance OF
so a month being made 60 Margaret Hall.
Witness explained that Margaret had
been for q long time in tho generals
home Witness said he had suggested the
allowance made 70 Margaret Hall, but
had never said he made his father give &C.
lie denied having unduly Influenced hts
father in the making of the will.
The estate OF the late Gen. Walker IL
valued az s25e)0 and the claims against
the estate may amount TO $500 it ls stat
ed