Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-09-22
BANKER IS HEARD
Phil Mitchell Testified TO Business
Dealings With Father
Mackin.
EXAMINATION NOT COMPLETE
Witness Considered Priest to be of
Sound Mind When He Had Inter
view With Him in January.

| The only witness examined yeSter-
day afternoon in support of the pur-
ported will of Thomas Mackin. was
| Phil Mitchell of the State Bank of
Rock Island. AT the adjournment of
court fer the day cross examination of
Mr. Mitchell had not been completed,
but will be completed some time next
week, on Mr. Mitchells return from
| the Illinois State Bankers convention
which viii be held at Springfield, be-
ginning Monday.
Mr.. Mitchell stated that he was well
acquainted with the teStator. having
known him for about 20 years. He
! testified that during all that time Dean
Mackin was a patron of the bank of
which Mr.. Mitchell was the head, and
that he had an account at the bank
and transacted his financial deals
through the bank, though largely per-
sOnally with Mr.. Mitchell himself. Mr.
Mitchell explained that he was ac-
quainted with Dean Mackin in a per-
sCnal and social way as well. and that
he met the priest as often as two or
three times a week when he was in the
city. He characterized Dean Mackin
as fluent talker. and of jovial
disposition. well posted on current top
les, and taking a delight in discussing
them with his friends and associates
Mr.. Mitchell told of the visits of Faith
er Mackin to his property in the west
and of his giving accounts of his fish
ing and hunting experiences while on
these trips.
saw Priest ut Home.
Mr. Mitchell said that he did not re-
member when he last saw Father
Mackin, but that either Jan. - or rs,
1904. he called at St. Joseph's rec
tory. about a month after the will had
been made. The call was by special
appointment. and was for the purpose
of adjusting an oVeTdraft which the
priest had at the bank and to arrange
for his future needs in the way of
money Mr.. Mitchell stated that on
that occasion he had transacted some
very important business with Father
Mackin. involving the renewal of some
$4,000 worth of notes which the priest
held against a local manufacturing
firm. adjusting the overdraft of about
$1,000, and providing for his i'm
mediate need OF ready money. At
that time Father Mackin said
that he was sick, but that he
expected soon to be better, and that
Bishop Spalding of Peoria. afflicted in
much the same way, and himself, ex-
pected TO take a trip together to Eur
Ope as soon as they were able to en-
dure the journey. Mr. Mitchell said
that from his long association with
Ether Mackin he believed him to be
of sound mind and capable of trans
acting ordinary business.
Was III at Time
Under the cross examination, con-
Quoted by Rollin Sturgeon. the wit
ness admitted that Father Mackin at
the time was pale, less robust than for
merly, that his face was white instead
of florid. and that he appeared weak in
body and somewhat emaciated, but
that his mentality seemed 10 be strong
mis- conversation as spirited and jovial
as usual. Mr.. Mitchell said that he had
heard that Father Mackin was aflict-
ed with fatal malady, and had sought
the interview in order to adjust the
business necessary before the priests
death. He admitted that it was per
haps month before he secured the in
terview he sought and that he saw
Father Maclin at the first opportunity
that his attendants would permit. He
said the transaction was brief. as he
had the figures all prepared, but that
Father Mackin verified them.
The cross examination will be con-
tinued next week.
Court Hears Motions.
Judge Gest this morning heard mo-
lions in various cases in the circuit
court, and entered numerous orders,
published elsewhere in this issue. Tes-
timony in the Laveen divorce case was
heard, and the case taken under adj
visement. Court was adjourned at 10
O'Clock until Monday morning.
H. A. Suttle and his attorney. Walter
Kirk of Peoria, were in the city today
in connection with the criminal action
before the grand Jury, but no action
was commenced in the circuit court.
The grand jury adjourned yesterday
afternoon until Monday morning, no
partial report being made before adj |