The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-27
VHH 6GhO " O0
Mrs. Osenberg on Witness Stand
in Own Behalf.
OPENS the Way to Lively Cross
Examination.
WHAT SHE WAS GIVEN.
Said Household Furniture Is OF
Little Value.
Collects Rents From Properties
Given Her.
WHAT SHE WAS GIVEN.

Mrs. Ellen Osenberg the house
keeper who is suing the estate of John
". Moore for $S,050 as compensation
for her services was called to the wit
ness chair by her counsel today for
the first time during the trial. After
q few questions they released her for
cross examination.
This action was like throwing food
to hungry wolves and the opposing at
torneys, with !. B. Larimer conduct
ing the cross examination, began a
rapid fire of questions which complete
" disconnected the witness and finally
resulted in a series of emphatic an
swers, 81 don't remember" Her cOun-
sci attempted several times to protect
her and finally relieved her by asking
the court to hear the testimony of an
other witness, who had TO get back to
his business thereby gaining a recess
for her.
Counsel Atchison and Schenck had
called the witness to testify as to what
were the articles of furniture Mr.
Moore had left to her in his will. She
included an old piano, two bedsteads,
two tables, a rocker, two wash stands,
a sewing machine, wash boiler and
wash machine, a cot and some dishes
in her list.
Asked what these articles were
worth. she replied: They are worth
absolutely nothing. 1 wouldn't have
them in my house" She explained
that all the furniture was old and
broken up or worn out and of no pos
sible use.
Then she was turned over to the
defense, who FIRST asked her how long
she had remained in the Moore home
stead at 1900 East Sixth street, and
she answered that she had remained
there up until about three months ago,
when she had gone to keep house for
John ]. Schenck, one of her lawyers in
the present case.
Then, in view of the fact that her
claim against the Moore estate is for
$50 a month, Mr.. Larimer asked her
what Mr.. Schenck was paying her for
taking care of his house. She replied
So a week.
Pushing the point still farther, Lari-
mer asked her how large a house it
was and she said it was an eight-room
house and all rooms were furnished.
She explained that she did not have
to do the washing or ironing, which
cost $3.50 a week.
Larimer then held UP some papers
and asked:
you see these papers. They are
deeds Mr.. Moore gave you to his home
stead and two other properties, are
they not?"
ave will find that out later" she
Answered.
ssTheseg aEaszoaEs pRapertiss~and4xa1as
collect the rents from them, do you
not Mrs. Osenberg?"
Those are not my deeds. / never
did take those papers,"
Mr.. Moore, when he was on his
deathbed at Christ's hospital, gave
these papers to Mr.. Atchison, who was
then Mr.. Moore's attorney, for you did
he not? and he handed them to you
did he not?'
He showed them to me but 1 never
took them"
who recorded these deeds, Mrs
Osenberg?"
Here Mr. Atchison came to his eli
ents rescue and offered to admit that
Mrs. Osenberg was in possession of
the three properties and that she held
such possession under the deeds held
by Mr.. Larimer.
Now, Mrs Osenberg, I want you to
answer frankly and tell me how long
before he died Mr.. Moore gave these
deeds to your
1T was about a week..
You testified in the probate court
hearing that you called in a nurse to
witness the transfer, did you not?''
Il don't remember"
"Mr. Atchison took the deeds for
you with your consent, did he not?''
Il suppose So"
And you have collected the rent for
these houses. have you not?"
Yes, sir"
You collect from the renters who
live there now, don't your
Yes, sir. When I get it."
You refer to the parties in the third
house, I suppose, but the poor COM
missioner has promised to pay for that.
hasn't he?"
WELL somebody did,
"He will pay it won't he?"
Il do not know"
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