The Washington times., 1909-03-30
DENIES ADVISING
BROWN TO MARRY
Physician Says He Simply
Refused to Interfere
With Ceremony.

Details Of the marriage. of John A
Brown. the wealthy octogenarian, the
validity of whose union with Rachel Ann
Richardson is being contested for the
ownership of a $4,000 estate, were given
in court this morning when Dr. NJ. b.
Stricken, the physician who attended
the aged man at the time Of the cere-
moay. ad Kate O'Kearn, the land lady at
the house where Brown and Rachel
feed to bring her into court for a mo-
nesses.
The present Litigation is preparatory
TO the hearing of caveat filed TO Browns
will which made Mary s. Reeves. Of
Philadelphia, residue beneficiary and en-
phatically denies the legality of the
ceremony through which Brown passed
with Miss Richardson.
The woman in the case is held in the
background by her lawyers and only
the repeated demands Of the lawyers for
the estate and for Browns relatives sur
fered to bring her into court for a mo-
ment yesterday to cap the days pro-
ceedings with a dramatic climax
Call Mrs. Brown" said Tracy L.
Jeffords. her attorney The woman,
gray-haired and CARRIED in light mourn
ing, entered.
is this the woman who was married
10 Brown" he asked the witness, DR..
Strickler.
1T Is" the witness replied
This court is adjourned" announced
Judge Wright.
DR.. Stricken TeStihes.
DR.. NJ. B. Stricken was placed Oh
the witness stand at the beginning or
this mornings session TO complete the
evidence which he gave yesterday. Mir.
Schwartz, of counsel for the estate of
the late Mr.. Brown, read to him tesl-
mony which he gave before the exam
liner IN chancery at the time Of the
hearing upon the suit for annulment OF
the marriage.
You say now that the testimony you |
save, that Howard Tombs came to the |
! street house before the marriage
ceremony was performed. is not true?'' |
II don't know whether the COY came |
10 the house before the ceremony. 1 !
cid not see him until after the marriage
vas ever"
When asked why he had advised Miss |
Eichardson to consult lawyer. the !
physician said: Il felt that any advice
L might give might be incorrect. and !
sent for Hunter so that / need not |
have anything to do with it
You did advise Rachel Richardson |
10 marry this man on that morning not
withstanding he had had a stroke OF /
apopleXy2"
Browns Mind Clear.
Il did NOT advise her. said that as /
far as his mind was concerned she /
might do So
Tell me why you didn't want TO have /
snything 10 do with it,
Because 1 had no interest in II. I |
was there as a physician"
Did not Miss Richardson say TO Won
We are engaged to be married and 1 |
Would like TO have the ceremony per
formed at once. IL he is going TO die? "
She said they were TO be married on
The 18th of the month. and wanted TO I
know II he was IN great danger"
You knew Mr.. Brown before YOU
were called at the house that morning."
had met him once before"
Has she paid you for the services
you rendered 10 Mr.. Brown"
No
What was the amount Of your bill
against herr
Five hundred dollars"
Kate O'kear1, the landlady al the
mouse at 81 street, where the marriage |
was performed. was then called She \
testified that the couple had lived at 1
her house, and that on the morning OF i
the marriage she had been called into 1
Mr.. Browns room and found him try
ing 20 get out OF bed.