The evening world., 1909-02-03
WIDOW, RICH, 81,
Loving WAITER,
SANE, SAYS JURY
Brother Wanted Her Declared
Incompetent Because Callers
Were Young Men.
NElGHBORS OBJECTED
She Liked a "Dear Little"
Usher, Too, but Verdict
Was Favorable
NEIGHBORS OBJECTED

Tho shsrin-s jury which heard the
testimony Of Mrs Mary Augusta Valen.
tine. an aged. wealthy widow, In pro-
eeedings brought BY her brother, Albert
Briggs, OF New Rochelle, to decide upon
her mental capacity. does not believe
because she, at the age Of stxty-one, ad.
mits loving a man twenty years younger
and 4 headwator to boot. that she u
incompetent to manage her own estate.
Mrs. Valentine, who lives In Fordham.
10 tho widow Of Charles Valentine, who
died twelve years ago, leaving her tloo,-
700. After she was on the stand over
an hour the jury reached III decision.
Briggs said after the decision that he
had no desire to gain control OF his
sisters property, but instituted the pro-
ceedings because her neighbors had ap-
pealed to him TO take soma action which
would proven, young men from calling
at her house at all hours OF tho day
and night
Mrs. Valentine was alert and bright
In her answers to the lawyers and tho
foreman OF the sherit-s Jury and the
Supreme Court Commission She came
to court accompanied by DR.. Charles L
Dana and Miss aotr. = trained nurse
Told Story Of Her Love,
Jacob Young, her brothers counsel,
brought out the story Of the love affair.
do you know James n. Edvardsr'
asked Mr.. Young
II do" replied Mrs. Valentine. Y
know him very we'll, indeed"
where did you meet him."
AT the restaurant In Wanamaker'A"
What 10 his occupation?
''He is q head water"
is It not a fact that this man often |
visited your home and that you have al
lowed him to kiss you? Why was this
man there? Did you love himr'
well, don't mind telling you that
did love him."
ut was none Of their business,
though" she said, regarding the COM
plants OF the neghbors, 1T was my
house and had perfect right to have
Mr.. Edwards there II wanted him.
He was the only person VINO thought
enough to come and see me- he was
not there to see them"
She Paid for Coney Trips.
Mrs. Valentine said that Edwards Is
forty-thrse years old, and that last
summer and in the early fall she often
visited Coney Island with him. On
these trips. she said, she furnished the
money. but Edwards handled 1t.
She told OF Edwards taking her to q
gypsy to have her fortune told and how
the seeress warned her twice against
woman whose picture turned up
when she, Mrs. Valentine. cut pack
Of cards. II was a picture Of Mrs.
Leonard, who had been Mrs. Valen-
tines companion for years, but the aged
teller that Mrs. Leonard was conspirng
against her. SO she turned the COM
panion out Of doors.
Mr.. Young then brought out a story !
Of Alexander Schneider, an usher In
vaudeville theatre In Fordham, whom ,
Mrs. Valentine said wa. the dearest |
little fellow that ever lived" Schneider,
she said. frequently called At her home, |
but her interest in him was merely =
friendly one.
She admitted having had trustees ap-
pointed for her estate and having de- |
clined to consider her two brothers in |
this connection, but would not say In /.
whose favor she would make her will. .
She made trust deed about six years
ago and gave the management to sam
uel Crooks, lawyer and Charles 7.
Campbell, i merchant. Mir, Campbell
had thrown the walter, Edwards, out
OF her house about week ago, she
said, but not AT her request.
DIT. Dana on the stand, said ne had
examined Mrs, Valentine and cons!d-
cred her sane, but not capaols OF man
aging her estate.