The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-12

time of his death There are four 9th
er suits in court besides these insur-
ance cases, involving the estate of Sam
uel Barnes, valued at about 100000 in
which the widow and the sons are con
tending parties for the property.
mrs. lisa Barnes was the first witness
called to the stand this morning. She
Identified the insurance policies in the
case and declared that they had been
in her possession uncalled for since De-
cember
Mrs. Belle McCollum, star witness for
the widow, was next called to the
stand. She testified that she had
known Mrs. Barnes for nearly thirty
years. That in October. 1905. Samuel
Barnes had called at her home on Van
cede with Mrs lisa Richardson for him.
That he worshipped her and wanted to
marry her. That he was worth about
100000 and had $1,000 life insurance and
would settle all this upon Mrs. Rich
ardson if she would marry him. That
he had sold the home place and settled
with the boys, giving them all they
would get from his estate He urged
MIS-. McCollum to see Mrs. Richardson
and plead his cause. She consented and
did So After Mrs. Richardson and Mr..
Barnes We're married she had visited
at their home and declared that they
lived happily together, and that Mr..
Barnes told her that he had done as
he promised, that is to say settled his
property and insurance on his wife. In
the cross examination of this witness
attorney for the Barnes brothers was
very rigid. He asked her if it was not
a fact that Samuel Barnes at the time
of his courtship was not an old man.
decrepit with rheumatism and not at
all attractive. She admitted that this
was so.
Did you advise Mrs. Richardson NOT
herself Co.
000?"
mo. 1 merely repeated what Mr..
| Barnes had told me to tell her.
Mrs. Fannie Sherman was next call
ed to the stand. She stated that She
had been at the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Barnes for four weeks in January. 1905.
while Mr.. Barnes was sick. That he
had told her that he had given his
property and life insurance to his wife
and that she was the best woman in
Topeka" That his boys had not treat
| ed him we'll. That they did not call at
the house or inquire after their father
during his illness. That Mr. Barnes
| had declared he had had a hard time to
win Mrs. Barnes for his wife. and thar
| they appeared to live happily together.
Mrs. Sherman was subjected to a Sc
we're cross examination. but no import
ant facts were brought out. Mrs. Sher-
| man stated that she had lived here
since 1882.
| This case will continue the rest of
| the week.
| John McAdams was tried today in
| probate court and adjudged insane.
| c. A. Wyberg was brought to the po-
| lice station today on charge of dis
turbing the peace. He is a German
shoemaker, living in North Topeka.
| His defense was graphic. He said that
r front
| F. Johnson,s restaurant on Kansas ave-
nue. where he had rooms during the
| flood when a strange man came UP and
began to abuse him. That the man
called him a fool and wart. That
| finally the stranger struck him. Il did
! not turn de odder cheek said Mr.
wyberg, "but I tried to hold him, and
I guess 1 scratched his race leedle
guilty one No, don't know him, and
| I don't want to-" The officers are look
ling for Mr.. Wyberg's alleged assailant