The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-21
SERVANTS ON THE STAND Lift Veil from Mason
 Skeleton. CONTEST FOR BIG ESTATE Second Wife Absent from the
 Court Room. Negro Women swear te Extraordinary Attitude of Aeed Mobile Bank
 CT Towards His
 Only sea.

thiru uay oI the Mason VIII contest | hearing opened with a noticeable fall ing on in the number of spectators that have been one of the features of the trial and the absence of Mrs. Mason No. from ths hearing. Soon after court was opened Judge Williams reminded certain of the witt nesses that he had heard them com menting on the testimony preceding them and if it was repeated he would punish the guilty. The chief feature of the hearing to- day was the testimony of negro wo- men who served in the Mason house. hold. It was backstairs gossip but they lifted the veil and revealed the Mason skeleton. The attorney for the contestant. p. M. Robinson. offered a certified copy of the divorce of Mrs. Mary Lee Mas son against James H. Mason. This was objected to by C.. L. Smith for young Mason, but the objection was overruled.
 The certified copy of the will was admitted as evidence.
 The first witness examined was City Engineer A. s. Towle who testified that he had known Mir. Mason for many years. He had business dealings with him just prior to his departure for Japan. He endeavored to explain discrepancies in a survey made for the
 
 to grasp the situation. He was very feeble and asked to have his wife cail- ed in. Mrs. Masson gave directions and said they were going away. No developments were brought out in cross examination. Negro Servants Testify.
 Lena Jackson. a negress. for some time a servant in the Mason house. hold, testified to Mfr. Masson's pecu- liar actions and swore that he often | swore at and about his son. cursing Mrs. Mason and on one occasion choked her. Hh
 Her testimony was practically on the same lines as other witnesses relative to the feeble condition of Mir. Mason and his manner of abusing and curs- ing hiS son. She further. said that he talked of his money. saying his son only wanted that.
 Jumima Anderson. a negress. said she worked for the Massons about sev- en years and about five years with MT. Mason after his wife obtained a di- vorce.
 She heard screams one day from the dining room and ran in. where she saw Mrs. Mason crying. Her face and neck bore the imprint of Mir. Masson's hand. She described the rage and actions of Mir. Mason even when he was alone. The negress told of the last Christ mas young Henry Mason was at home, which was about the same as other witnesses. MT. Mason refused to allow two of Henry's boy friends to be invited to partake of the Christ mas dinner. He said Henry was worth less and only wanted his money.
 Two years prior to the separation from his wife he often spoke in like strain. The witness told of remaining with Mir Mason after his wife was divorced. She helped move the effects over the ofice of physician She woman who often spent several weeks at the house. She had often said to Mir. Mason: eff you don't treat that boy Henry right. MT. Mason. you will be in h--l and we will be here fight ing for your moneey. The negress added, And here we is." She told of a number of women vis- itors to MT. Mason, and spoke of Mrs. Fletcher's visit to her uncle. Mir. Mas son told her he had made a wil leav- ing everything to Mrs. Fletcher. and that Greg Smith had drawn the will.
 The negress said MT. Mason was crazy on the subject of women. money and keeping the money from his son." and narrated numerous escapades of the aged banker.
 Cross examination of the witness brought out the same line of testimony.
 Contestants attorney objected to the method pursued Dy the aLtOTney TUT the other side in cross examining the witness as improper. He was sus- tained in the objection by the court.
 Judge Williams cautioned MT. Smith saying the witness had been put un- der oath by the court.
 Judge Williams at 3 o'clock recessed court for one hour.
 Many other witnesses testified, prin- cipally family servants who told about the same story relative to MT. Mas city to son and wife at various times.
 Dispositions of Relatives.
 Attorneys McAlpine and Robinson. for the contestant, introduced deposi- tions of Miss Lillie Mason, sister of the deceased living in Washington; a Mrs. Pauline Moffett, another sister, of Carlisle. Pa, and Rev Joseph Fiotch- CT of Reisertown, Md, which were taken up and discussed. the irrelevant portions being stricken out.
 These with four more from witnesses from New York and Baltimore. will be taken pand the entire number will be offered tomorrow.
 Judge Williams announced that court would continue throughout tomorrow and until 10 o'clock tomorrow night. The court will sit Tn the Circuit Court room in the evening, there being bet ter lighting facilities there.
 It is thought the contestants wit nesses will finish their testimony by tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.
 It is expected by working long hours the case will go to the jury Tuesday afternoon or evening.