Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1915-02-18
BRIDGETON, n j, THURSDAY, FEBRUARYI8, 1915

tune teller and that he had all the
confidence in the world in her good
judgment.
Miss Emma DALEY, daughter of The
foregoing witness, told of having her
fortune told by Minnie c. Wood and
otherwise corroborated the testimony
of her father
Mrs. Andrew Zane, on the witness
stand, said that she was daughter
of the late Squire Riley. Her testi-
mony was chiefly regarding the sup
posed "bossism" of Minnie C. Wood
in the Riley household
She also corrobofated the testimony
of Mr.. Zane in regards to a CONVEX
sation with Mr.. David Bowen in which
Mr.. Bowen said that he had read the
will to Squire Riley in a loud and
distinct tone because he knew him to
be hard of hearing.
The cross-examination of this wit
ness brought out the fact that Squire
Riley had told her that Minnie C.
Wood had poor judgment in the hand
ling of the household affairs.
Counsel Fithian also brought out
the fact, from this witness, that she
had had conversation with Minnie
c. Wood in which she counseled her
| that it would be best to give Oscar his
| rightful share, rather than have all
of the expenses of court proceedings.
This conversation was alleged to have
taken place after the caveat had been
filed ON behalf of Oscar G. Riley.
Mrs. Francis Zane, granddaughter
of the deceased, told of going to see
her grandfather and of the trouble
that she always lad in gaining en-
trance to the sick room. She said
that Aunt Minnie (Mrs. Wood did not
seem to want anyone to see Mr.. Riley
She also said that her grandfather
complained that Oscar did not come
" see ullIl, DuI lll-sL OSCdT NdS d'IeS-
ular caller at the house, who at most
times could not gain access to his
fathers room, because of the inter
tterence OF Minnie c. Wood
Francis Zane, a grandson of the
deceased, was next called, and testi-
fed that there was always interfer-
ence when he wanted to see his grand
father. Upon cross-examination he
said that when he wanted to he went
upstairs to see him.
Levi J. Loper, the next witness
called, testified as to having called
upon Squire Riley in a social way,
and told of a conversation in which
| Oscars father told him that he sup
posed the house on Bank street would
eventually be his (Oscars). Upon
cross-eXamination he said that this
conversation took place or years
ago.
Mr.. Sheppard next called Mrs. James
B. Ware, a friend cf Minnie c. Wood,
who told of a conversation between
herself and friend in which Mrs. Wood
said she wished that the will had been
different so that there should not have
been so much trouble.
Counsel Sheppard stated that the
hearing of this witness closed his
case, and there being no rebuttal nee
essary in the mind of Counsel Fithiar
as expressed in court, the argument
was taken up.
Mr.. Sheppard in most minute ar
| gument of the case, presented every
shred of evidence which he could bring
out, claiming that Minnie c. Wood had
exercised undue influence upon the
mind of Francis P Riley, Sr., and
who he claimed had been proven to
be the boss" of the Riley household.
Mr.. Sheppard read and reviewed
several previous wills made by the
deceased in which he claimed that the
intention of Squire Riley to give his
son Oscar his equal share in the es-
tate had remained unchanged from
time Is years ago when one will was
made, up to years ago, when anoth-
er of the wills was drawn up.
j. Hampton Fithian in argument
said that no testimony of undue influ-
ence had been shown in any way upon
the part of Minnie c. Wood over the
deceased. He also argued that no
proper evidence had been shown which
pointed to the fact that anyone could
not see Squire Riley alone, and that
they could and did see the deceased
each day, and that had privacy been
desired they might have closed the
door which was always open.