Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-20
ON WITNESS STAND
Mrs. Jones Has Ready
Answers for Interrogators.
HER SANITY is QUESTIONED
Inquiry as to Her Ability to Manage
Her Property.
SAYS NIECE WAS KIND TO HER
But Declares She Wants Husband,
"Bill Jones, the Avenger,"
to Get Estate.
HER SANITY is QUESTIONED
SAYS NIECE WAS KIND TO HER

Catherine NJ. B. Jones. wife Of Bill
Jones the Avenger. eighty-five years old,
testified for forty-five minutes today be-
fore jury in Justice Barnard's court
at the hearing to determine her mental
condition and her capability to manage
her real estate, valued at $4,000 The
inquiry is on the application of Miss
Charlotte E. Bates, niece, to have Mrs.
Jones adjudged insane.
Mrs. Jones responded readily to the
numerous inquiries aimed at her by coun-
sci, although to portion of the questions
she was Obliged to answer II don't re-
member. Several times during the eX-
animation by Attorney J. ]. Darlington,
counsel for the niece. Mrs Jones inter-
rupted the lawyer with the query Don't
YOU think you have asked enough ques-
lions to know whether l am crazy or
not? On two occasions only she pleaded
fatigue and Mr.. Darlington halted his ex-
animation to allow the witness to rest
Husband in Court.
William Jones. the husband who gained
the name of Bill the Avenger'' by his
attempt to shoot Charles j. Guiteau the
assassin of President Garfield, assisted
his wife to the witness chair, which had
been removed from the witness stand and
placed Immediately in front of the jury
When the wife had completed her testi-
mony Mr.. Jones helped her across the
courtroom and accompanied her to her
home.
When the name of Miss Bates, the niece,
hrst came up in the examination, Mrs.
Jones said: "She came to me and said she
never gave me any trouble. l think this
is trouble, bringing me here to court.
She wanted me to stay at her house, as
she thought If died there she would get
my property. l wanted to return and re-
main with my husband. as l promised
to do when l married him. l want him to
get my property. and l have made an
other will for that purpose"
Admits Niece Was Good to Her.
Under the examination of Attorney
Darlington, Mrs. Jones admitted that
Miss Bates had given her no other
trouble than bringing her to court, and
that the niece had treated her most
kindly and considerably when Mrs.
Jones was staying at the home of her
niece.
The witness seemed unable to remem-
Der making deed of her property about
year or SO ago to a Mr.. King, and
receiving his note for $4,000. Under
questions by d. w. Baker, former
United States attorney. one of her
lawyers. Mrs. Bates recalled employing
ing begun by the niece in her behalf.
In reply to questions by Senator Rayner
of Maryland, another of her lawyers. Mrs.
Jones recalled her fathers death in 1851.
and the extent and detail of his real es-
tate holdings. She also told the senator
she was not living on her farm now, but
for six months in the summer stopped at
Arundel-on -the-Bay.
On what bay is that, Mrs. Jones?' in
quired the senator.
ION Chesapeake bay" quickly answered
the witness.
In rebuttal Mr.. Darlington asked the
witness how it was she could remember
these details about her father SO many
years back. and could not tell how many
times she visited--heF niece last year. The
witness had no explanation to offer
Mr.. Darlington refrained from inquiring
of the witness concerning the statement
made by him to the jury that she had
left her home and was found living in
negro cabin in squalor, except to ask if
she had not been in that dwelling when
her niece took her to the latters home
her condition at that time will be shown
by other witnesses, it is expected.
Woman "Not Pure White"
Mr.. Darlington did inquire If the woman
living in this stone lodge house OF one
room on an adjoining farm was colored.
Mrs. Jones said the woman wasn't col
ored. nor was she pure white The
witness admitted she took no clothes with
her from this lodge house to her niece S
home and said the latter had provided
new clothes for her. She could not say
what had been done with the old gar
ments. Mr.. Darlington last Thursday
told the jury the clothes had to be burned
because of their condition.
Mrs. Jones denied that her husba nd
cd hor {ho~ 1,;.a
manner. She admitted that when he is
not sober she is afraid to stay alone In
the house with him.
Several physicians were present in
court and watched the conduct of the
witness during the examination It is
expected they will testify later in the
case.