The Washington herald., 1906-11-25
AIRS DAHLGREN SIDE
Attorney Tells of Claims of
Mrs. COltOn's Daughters.
DENIES UNDUE INFLUENCE
Syme Insists Dead woman's Mind
Was sound, and that Clients Are
Within Their RIghts-DeHies Wrong
I'm Filing of VIII I'm California
Court-NIrs. Grace's Request.

so many misleading and prejudicial
statements have appeared lately about The
will OF Mrs. Ellen N. Cotton. widow Of
Gen. G. d. Cotton, formerly of Cali
fornia. and n partner OF Coils p Hunt
ington and Senator Stanford, her estate,
and the alleged claims advanced thereto
by certain parties. that it is about time
to have some Of these statements cor
-ected"
This statement was made yesterday by
Conrad II. Syme, who represents Mrs.
John g. Dahlgren and Miss Katherine
Martin In the litigation before the courts.
Mrs. Dahlgren and Miss Martin. daugh-
tiers of Mrs. Cotton. are the chief Iegatees
under the will in dispute. Mrs Dahlgren
originally married Daniel Cook, and after
his death was married TO Henry Mclean
Martin. since deceased. After the death
OF her mother. Mrs. Martin married
john B. Dahlgren. Mrs. Dahlgren is
about sixty years Of age. while her hus-
band looks to be about thirty.
Mr.. Syme said he has carefully avoided
up to this time TO discuss the merits OF
the case, as In his opinion il was not a
case that should be tried I'm the press.
He claims the other side has pursued
this course, and had been generous IN
the information given out when the tes-
t!nony was taken here and in New York
i think the filing Of these suits at this
time, said Mr.. Syme, while the contest
over the viii is going ON in California,
Is largely fOT the purpose OF the moral
effect il might have Ny clients and |
are I'm DO wise disturbed over these va
IieCs suits, having had information some
time ago that such proceedings were con-
trmpla,ed."
Talks Of Merits OF Case.
fl speaking Of the merits Of the case.
NJ. Syme- said that the litigation was
brought by Siegfre ed Sacher. as the next
friend OF bis daughter, Helen Beatrice.
WHO = about FIVE or SIX years old and
"Do IS the great granddaughter of Mrs.
t@fol- Airs. C0!tOls second daughter
liCicH. married Crlttenden Thornton. She
Cied 10 Paris !n October. 1899. and left
daughter. Helen Cotton Thornton. who
i.iaricd Sicgfried Sachcr Mrs. Sacher
uird in Paris in February, 1904, leaving
the daughter, Helen Beatrice
u Is c0HteadCd by Dir. Syme that Mrs.
Cotton had given "a large sum Of money
10 tire mother Cf little Miss Slcaer before
JHc mothers death
There Is not one scintiIla of testimony
- the case continued SIR Syme. show
Ing that Mrs Cotton had been Influenced
iy amy one in the making uf her will
Neither Of The witnesses To the wilI-onc
OF them personal friend OF Mrs Col
ous-noticCd tie slightest suSp. ciOus cir-
curstance surrounding the execution of
her last viii and testament, both testi-
lying as 10 her mind being sound"
Claims Her aIInd Was Sound,
Mr., Syme said that a cousin OF Gen.
Cotton, who had known Mrs. Cotton from
her girlhOod. and who saw her frequently
during the last months OF her life testi-
lied unreservcdiy that her mind was un-
impaired, and remained 50 up to her
dGHLh- This testimony. according 10 Nr
Syme, Was supported 10y ;hat of an ad-
iniral of the navy who Cften visited N
Mrs. ColtCns house.
Another important point Indicating
lndt Mrs Cotton was Of sound mind he
continued was that within a day or two
after tie viii vas executed a cashier of
one Of the local national banks unhesi-
t3tingly took her acknowledgment to the
transfer of $4,000 OF United states bonds.
lie did not notice anything to indicate
-lrs- Col;on was not in every way capable
ot attending 20 her business. Both the
physician and nurse who attended Mrs.
Cotton in her last illness. which extended
ever period Of some ten days. testified
lI1t they observed no mental impairment
Whatelcr