The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-13

General William r, Walker. who made
the instrument that a jury heard testi-
mony about for over two weeks. was we'll
known throughout tho state. He was an
architect and a man OF a very determined
character
The instrument which was probated at
Pawtucket was contested Sy General
Walkers granddaughter. Miss Bessie c.
Walker whom he for many years sup
ported BY the will offered she was TO
received but $40 a month until the death
OF General Walkers widow, then sne was
10 receive $50 q month There was testi-
mony introduced 10 show that the con-
testsnt's father was General Walker
favorite son.
w. Howard Walker, another son, was
made executor and trustee under the will
He for many years was I'm business with
his father Undue influence on the part
of Howard was set up as the reason why
the will should be broken.
General Walker married for second
time I'm 1897 and while the contestant re-
fused to state that tbs made any differ
ence I'm the family. It was intimated by
witnesses for the will that at first undue
influence was claimed TO have been eX.
ercised by the second Mrs. Walker
A number OF prominent persons from
Pawtucket and this city went on the wilt
ness stand and testified that Gen Walk
er when the will was made early i'm 1904
was i'm full possession OF his faculties.
Miss Walker and her mother claimed that
during the same period physical illness
had impaired the generals mind.
Some OF the witnesses called in behalf
Of the proponents OF the will were par
ticularly strong In stating that Gen Walk
or was one OF the most difficult men they
could imagine to unduly influence. Coun-
sci both for and against the will made
long arguments.
After being out about four hours and
half. the Jury returned. The announce
ment OF the foreman thSt the jury had
reached tho conclusion that the instru-
ment offered was not the last will and
testament OF Gen. Walker. created con-
sternation amongst the court officers and
those who were not close friends OF the
contestants
II could not be positively ascertained to-
day whether the case would be taken ~
tho supreme court or not. Lawyers who
had paid a good deal OF attention TO the
case were almost unanimously OF the
opinion that the verdict would not stand
lawyer I'm discussing the case today
said that the verdict was particularly a
surprise AZ the trend OF iuries I'm will
contests for the past half n dozen years
had been decidedly 10 sustain willis Al
one time Iuries served "a sort OF Fighters
OF wrongs supposed TO have been commit
ted by testators but lately iuries I'm the
absence OF very strong proof as TO loss OF
testamentary capacity were disposed TO
uphold the distribution OF his estate made
by any one who took the trouble TO make
n will
In one case passed upon n short time
ago 10y the appellate court a jury's YER
diet was set aside and will made by a
woman sustained. though she cut of her
relatives This case. attorneys think.
shows that our courts are not as gen
eral thing far apart from Jurors I'm hold
Ing Wills as far a. possible sacred.
When the jury was out short time
yesterday. 80 general was the belief that
the will would boo sustained that there
was told I'm the corridors a story about
noted will contest I'm which late eN-
chief Justice Bradley appeared for the
contestants. The JURORS, when charged.
went IN their room and the first vote