New-York tribune., 1916-06-17
Bigaut Brought Here from
Trenches to Tell of His
Masters Habits.
MILLIONAIRE ANGRY
AT LAUNDRY BILL
81 Baggage Charge Kept Him
from Changing Hotels in
Naples, Witness Testifies.

Amos +. Emo was no hero to his valet.
Edmond Bigaut, bronzed soldier Of
France, who for several years acted in
that capacity to the millionaire whose
will is being contested, was a witness
IN the Surrogates' Court yesterday.
Bigaut's testimony is considered Of
great Importance by the contestants
because Of the constant opportunity he
had TO observe the words and actions
of the testator, whose mind, it is con-
tended, was not sufficiently strong to
resist the undue influence which it IS
alleged was exerted over him.
So important, indeed, did they regard
Bigaut that the Paris War Office was
requested TO send for the former valet
in the trenches and give him a fur
Tough that he might come here. He
will return to the front when he
finishes as a witness.
Bigaut left the employ of Mr.. Emo in
the summer Of 1915 when his country
called, although he knew that by leav-
ing ne would forfeit $4,000 legacy
payable only in case he was in the en-
ploy of Mr.. Emo at the time of the lat
ter's death. That is the kind of patriot
Edmond Bigaut is.
Objected to Laundry Item.
lie quoted a railroad ticket agent in
France as venturing the opinion that
Mr.. Emo was crazy" because he had
made several inquiries about the cost
Of tickets TO Rome. At Jekyl Island,
Georgia, where Amos X. +. Pinchot, his
nephew. and Mr.. Pinchot's family were
his guests, Mr. Emo displayed the same
spirit of pcnuriousness.
lie sent for Pinchot. SAID Blgaut,
and told him. 81 like you. but will not
ray your expenses" Mr.. Eno's particu-
lar objection was TO several items on
q laundry bill.
On their visit to Jekyl Island in 1915.
Bigaut testified, Mr.. Emo gave other
evidence OF closeness. After ordering
strawberries. he tasted one or two and
liked them. Don't eat any more until
YOU find out how much they are going
to cost" Bigaut advised. The price
was about 81. They're not good and
too stiff" decided the man whose in
come was 81 a minute.
IL is the contention Of the contest
ants that the mind and memory Of Mr..
Emo were already impaired when he
went 90 Europe in January, 1914. Gong
from Nice to Rome. Mr. Emo despite
the suggestions Of his man, insisted
on going 10 a second or third class
hotel, having already travelled second
class from the south Of France. There
were no accommodations. and he sat
UP and waited several hours for n
room.
In Rome. Mr. Emo got sick and
thought he was going TO die. He or
dered Edmond 70 bring him his strong
box, from which he took out paper
THAT is my will ! want you 10 give
10 TO my brother Henry Eno." he said.
lie also gave Bigaut six checks 10 de-
liver 90 the persons whose names were
written ON them, if he should die
Mr. Emo. did you make one out for
me?" the valet asked.
"No. but / have provided for you in
my will" Mr.. Emo replied. Look at it
if you like" Bgaut found himself
named as p beneficiary. That was the
1914 win. under which the contestants
insist the testator's estate should be
distributed But Mr. Emo did not die
then.
At Nice, said the witness. his en-
ploycr made "much noise about the
prices" which the hotel charged. and
he said he would cut snort his visit
there. IN Naples he thought of chang
ing his quarters. but did not, because
10 would have cost him 81 to move his
baggage.
Enos Father Slept in Tub.
Bigaut will continue his testimony
Monday.
An earlier witness yesterday was
Francis G.. Walenger employed for sew
oral years as valet by the late Amos r.
Emo. father Of Amos F. Emo. lie said
that one day Mr.. Emo told him that he
could have a large part Of his estate
and $250000 in cash. The next day
Mrs Humphrey. sister. asked Wa
LANCER whether he twas going 70 keep
those things my brother gave you?"
"No: he can have them back" said
the valet magnanimousiy. Walenger
said 10 was the elder Mr.. Eno's habit 10
go to sleep IN a bathtub filled with
water; the only way to get him out
was by letting the water run out.