Evening star., 1909-05-10
PRINCE BEGINS SUIT
be Bearn Trying to Recover
All of Wife's Estate.
i'm COURT WITH LAWYER
Plunges Into Mass Of Testimony in
Printed Record.
LONG DELAY AT THE START
Father -in-Law's Deposition Concern
ing Alleged Release Agreement
to Be Put in Evidence.
IN COURT WITH LAWYER
LONG DELAY AT THE START
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
BALTIMORE. Md, May 1o.-The
much discussed suit Of the Prince
de Bearn ct de Chalais against
his father-in-law. Ross Winans. and
Gen. Ferdinand C. Latrobe. trustees. 20
obtain absolute possession OF the en-
tire sum of 100000. his wife's estate.
was begun this morning in circuit court
No. before Judge Sharp.
The prince arrived in court promptly at
10 o'clock. accompanied by his legal coun-
sci. Maurice Leon Of New York, and the
local associate counsel. Messrs. Ran
The prince took a seat at once at the
table with his legal counsel and plunged
into the mass OF testimony in the printed
record. turning over the pages in studi-
Gus manner
Mr.. Winans and Gen. Latrobe are rep
resented by John E. Semmes. with Messrs.
Bernard Carter and William Fell john
son, Jr., as associate counsel. Mr.. Car
ter and Mr.. Johnson are technically rep
resenting the two children Of the prince.
Mr.. Winans was not in court.
Long Delay at Opening.
There was long delay from the open
ing until 1870 o'clock while the court
went over testimony. and 1t was neces-
sary for Judge Sharp to be absent for a
while at a session of the supreme bench
During this interval the prince and Mr..
Leon were taken out to luncheon by Mr..
Stewart.
A feature Of the trial is promised in the
deposition of Mr.. Ross Winans which
was made at his home, 1917 ST. Paul
street. April 30 and which extends over
sixty-four typewriter pages.
The deposition. questions and cross
questions were taken before Ward B. Coe,
examiner In equity. and stenographically
reported by Court Stenographer Leon
Weinberg. For the prince Messrs. Stew
art and Leon were present, and for the
defendants Mr.. Semmes.
The principal point made in the deposi-
tion by Mr.. Winans is that the releases
which the prince gave to Messrs. Winans
and Gen. Latrobe, agreeing to take $780,,
600 absolutely and the income from the
remaining 100000 until the two children
shall come Of age, were made by the
prince of his own free will. without du-
ress. and that he had plenty of time to
make objection to the contemplated ar
rangements before the signing of the re-
leases.
Courtship Gone Into.
The testimony goes rather fully into
the subject of the princes courtship and
his relations with his wife. which are
shown by Mr.. Winans to have been most
amicable. Toward Mr.. Winans also the
attitude of the prince following his wife's
death Is shown to have been most pleas
ant. and during his stay in Baltimore
while settling up the affairs the prince
is said to have called to see his father
in-iaw at least once a day and to have
addressed him most affectionately.
According to Mr. Winans, the latter was
notified by the prince shortly after his
daughters death that she had left a will.
Correspondence relative to the settlement
of the estate in the manner finally effected
was carried on, 1t is alleged. between Mr..
Vile c. Jacobus, tn princes counselor In
Paris. and after the arrangements TO have
the estate settled were decided upon the
prince then came on to Baltimore.
The settlement seemed satisfactory to
the prince, 1t is alleged In the deposition,
and the prince went away. but shortly
after became dissatisfied with the settle
ment and the suit followed.
The fact that the prince wrote to Mr..
Winans thanking him for the honor Of
being appointed guardian of the children
is mentioned in the deposition.
Upon these facts, 1t is understood, the
defendants will rely for their contention
that the arrangements made by the
prince will have to be lived up to. The
plaintiffs will. 1t is understood, under
take to show that there was conspiracy
to mislead the prince. During the TAX
numerous objections to questions and
evidence by Mr.. Leon.
When the prince came to Baltimore with
his two children after the death OF his
wife he entered into a settlement in the
orphans court. by which he was given
100000 of the trust fund absolutely and
the income from the 100000 balance
which Is to go to his children when they
are of age. 1t Is this settlement which
the prince now seeks to set aside.