The Washington times., 1909-03-29
TRIES TO PROVE
LEGAL MARRIAGE
Fight Over the Will of John
/ A. Brown Opens in
Court.

was Rachael Anne Richardson legal
Iy married 10 John y Brown, the
wealthy octogeuariau. as she contends
This question was made the issue IN
what promises 20 be one of the mos,
sensational and bitterly contested legal
lights which has arise in the District
Probate Courts for many years. Inc
events which led 10 the suit between
The woman who declares she is Mrs.
Brown and the exc cUtors OF Browns
will, and Miss Reeves of Philadelphia,
are very unusual.
a satisfactory selection Of jurymen in
Judge Wrights court was not reacned
until noon today, most of the morning
being given up TO arguments by counsel
as to the right of peTcmptoTy challenges
Brow q, whose estate is valued at
S5l010, was, II is contended by the
woman, married TO her November 2,
1897. by the Rev j. b Mclaughlin. That
evening he suffered n stroke of paralysis
and was removed to a hospital where
lie made viii in her favor One month
later be made a new will, denying the
legality OF the marriage, and declaring
that he wished her to have no part OF
his estate The following April he was
adJudged suffering from seniie de-
lnentia, and Congressman r. o. Moon,
of Philadelphia. was appointed to care
Tor his interests.
Other Bequests.
BY the will Of Brown. which was
filed following his -ath in August, 1905.
he made several small bequests, but
left the bulk of the estate TO Miss
Reeves.
Both the woman who claims to have
been his wife and his sister and nieceS
tiled caveats to the. lii, and the point
his wife, and whether she has the right
10 file the caveat protesting against the
disposition of the property
The interests OF Rachael Anne Rich
ardson are represented by Attorneys
Ieffords, Hunter, and Saiamon; those Of
Lne executors by Benjamin II. Schwartz,
Milton Strasburger. and Congressman
X. o. Moon, ana those of the relatives
by Attorney James ]. O'Shea
In his opening statement Mr.. Jenords
declared that he would prove the mar
rage legaI by court Necords and wit
Ilesses- Mr.. StrasburEer then address
ed the jury He declared that consent,
which he alleged did not exist in the
marriage of Rachael Anne Richardson
ana Jonn y. Brown, was essential TO
valid ceremony and that Brown did
not give his consent
Minister on Stand.
The Rev. J. B. McLauChIin. the min
lister Ilawyer who performed the cere-
Inony. was the first witness placed on
the stand today. He was first iurerrO-
gated by Mr.. Jeffords.
Did you sOlemnize a marriage be-
tween John A. Brown ana Rachael Anne
Richardson on November p, 1902
I solemnized a marriage between
two people giving those names. / did
not know them personally.
How did you learn the names Of the
pe95le?-, -.
counsel for Mrs Richardson came into
office shortly h
day, and asked me for "A card. He SAID
he wished 10 procure a marriage license
\ short time afteTward l went to the
door, and Mr. Hunter was standing or
the pavement A carriage was there
containing d.. StTiCkler and the woman
who was introduced TO me as Miss Rich
ardson- We went to o. ] street north
west. and there 1 performed the cere-
mOny."
Here Mr.. Jeffords concluded his direct
examination, ard Mr. Schwartz put the
witness under crOsS-eNaminatiOn lie
required MIN 20 describe his business
and then asked him to read to the Jury
one OF his business cards. which he
used at the time the ceremony was per-
formed on the reverse side Of the
card, as Mclaughlin read il. was: Visit
me sick baDtize, and bury the dead.
free. Marriages, everybody for CASH
Dr. Mclaughlin when asked 10 idCnIi-
~ the woman who Is making the fight
10 break the will. failed to pick her out
among the women in the courtroom.
] understand il. You met the doctor
Mr.. Hunter. and the lady?"
No 1 vent with the doctor and the
lady
What occurred when YOU went into
the houseT'
AZ was taken upstairs to the large
front room, and there performed the
ceremony.
Describes Scene.
What did YOU frd in the room when
you entered"
II found the lady there. and Mr..
Brown, who was reclining on a couch, !
half lying and half sitting
Who else were present.
Il think TIE doctor. the lady Of the
house. Mr.. Brown, and Miss Richard !
SON
How many marriage ceremonies did !
you perform during the month Of No
Esmber, 1902
II cOuld not tell without referring 20
my office records. Probably an average /
OF one Cay, maybe more"