Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-01-17
The smoot Will Case.

The SmOOt VIII case.
The morning session of the Corpora
ton Court today in the hearing OF me
Smoot will contest "as consumed 10 Inc
kim of evidence for he proponents "i
Inc will and was principally to bring out
The alleged fact that the contestant mas
far some years been incorporate IN her
habits.
The frat witness was Mamie Jackson,
tho colored laundress at the SmOot resi-
dence who testified that Mrs. SmOot had
told her that she bad made her will, but
thu, she was not at all satisfied with IT..
She was followed by Rev. Mr.. Burch,
who admitted, in cross examination by
Mr.. Brent, that he had said on one
occasion that Rev. Mr.. Jones was ras-
cal bu. he explained that he had said so
because of stories told him by Miss Ella
Smoot and not because of any personal
knowledge. He added that he now be-
lieved Mr.. Jones to be everything that
christian gentleman and minister OF
the gospel should be.
Frank Burch and SmOot Jones, sons
of the two clergymen, gave unimPortSnt
testimony and Mrs. Burch again took
the stand. She testified that her sister,
Miss Smoot, had frequently abused the
Joneses aud was often irresponsible,
Mrs. Burch said that she bad had
but one serious disagreement with her
mother, and that was when she had
opened a letter addressed to her mother,
but she said she had done this at the
suggestion of Miss Ella SmOot, who had
informed her that Rev. Mr.. Jones was
getting from their mother money that be-
lOnged TO them.
MIR Brent asked Mrs Burch if she was
under the influence of Miss Ella Smoot
when she opened her mothers letter and
she replied that she must have been.
At the afternoon session Mrs. Warner
Moore took he stand and testified that
Rev. Mr.. Burch upon seeing check for
el375. drawn on a brokerage hrm 10
New York, written by Rev. DR.. Jones
and signed by Mrs. Frances Smoot, be-
came angry and called Rev. Mr.. Jones
a rascal Witness further testified that
during two days she was with DIR.
Bu.ch at Atlantic City his sole topic Of
conversation was abuse Of the Joneses.
Rev. Mr.. Burch again took the stand
and admitted that he had called Rev.
Mr. Jones rascal, but denied having
abused the Jcneses. He reiterated that he
had used the word "rasca" in referring
to Rev. Mr.. Jones after listening to tne
of Miss SmoOts statements.
After the Gazette's report closed yes
terday evening and after several other
witnesses for the contestant had been
heard Rev. w. STROLLER Jones was
placed on the stand in rebuttal. he
was asked by Col Smith if he was not a
descendant Of an old ard hOnored FAM
ily, and IN reply gave the names OF ms
mother and father, and also SAID that ne
had been a minister Of the gospel Tor
thirty years. When questioned aoon'
certain statements, made by witnesses
for the contestant and asked If they were
true. he said, II repel them with in
donation and scorn." When the wit
ness was turned over to Mr.. Brent he
was asked about certain incidents follow
inc the lease of the lumber business to
Mr.. Field, and admitted that when he
thought Miss Smoot WAS about 10
punch" him with the end OF an umbrella
he had warned Der that Re would ''lreat
her as a man and would knock hey
down"
Rev. Mr.. Jones stated that Miss Smoo'
had objected to the lease of the lumber
ward and said that since his second mar
rage she had been most uOkind and un-
gracious toward him. When one OF bis
attorneys called his attention to the fact
that Miss SmoOt had branded him "A
rascal in court Monday, he SAID the
| charge was "most outrageous"
Joe Haskins, colored, who had been a
servant at the Smoot home for 80 years,
WAS on the stand for some time, but was
A most unwilling witness and but mite
WAS gained from him. He admitted thai
there were family disturbances, but said
lie believed that such things were common
10 most households. When asked as u
Miss Shoots habit', he said she was moi
always temperate, but could not fix any
act Of iutemperance within the period to
which the court had limited the lnVesli'
CATION. and finally announced that ne
would rather go TO Jail than reveal tue
family secrets that he believed should o'
sacred to all servants. The attorneys d.
| not insist upon the court taking drastic
measures and Haskins was excused
Haskins was placed on the stand by
counsel for Rev. William SIrother Jone'
and Rev. Francis NJ. Burch ard thef
wives. who are the proponents oil lh'
will which Miss Ella Rose Smoot, tn
unmarried sister Of the wives o; IN
clergymen, seeks 10 break, to show tina
| the contestant is OF incorporate habits