The Mount Holly news., 1919-11-25
Court Proceedings

I
Testimony was taken in the conte:
in the estate of John 0. Hopkins, d.
ceased, a colored man who died g
Moorestown, last July and left tw
wives. Soon after his death applics
ton was made for the issuance of lei
ters of administration to the daughte
of his first wife. Objection theret
was made by the second wife.
Rebecca Roberts, sister of John
Hopkins, testified that she was pres
ent at the marriage of her brother an,
his first wife, Charlotte, which tool
place 40 years ago in the parsonag,
of Mt. Moriah A. M. E. church, Noun
Holly. The ceremony was performed
| by Rev. Mr.. Mills, who at that timt
was pastor of the church. The couple
lived together about two years, during
which time they had two children, one
of whom died. The parents separated
and never again lived together as hus.
band and wife. About 25 years age
Hopkins married another woman and
lived with her up to the time of his
death.
Bessie Hopkins, aged 40, daughter
of deceased by his first wife, testified
that she knew her father had married
twice. After his death the first wife
had renounced her right to make ap-
plication for letters of administration
In favor of witness, who then made
formal application therefor.
The second wife, Sarah, testified
that her marriage took place in Cam
den, but she did not remember the
date or the name of the officiating
clergyman. She said a marriage cer-
tificate had been given to her but it
had since been lost. She admitted
that at the time of her wedding she
had knowledge of the first marriage
and also that there had been no di-
vorce proceedings in the case of the
first wife.
Mr.. Peacock, who represented the
applicants for letters of administra-
ton, said there is a record of the first
marriage in the office of the bureau
OF vital statistics, Trenton, and that
ne had sent for a certified copy there
of, but it had not yet arrived. The
case was postponed for a week in or
der to have this paper offered in evi-
dence and any other testimony that
may be produced. George B. Evans
was counsel for the second wife.
Testimony was taken in the contest
over the will of Joseph W. Taylor, de-
ceased, of Medford township. A cav
eat had been filed against his will on
the ground of mental incapacity.
A number of witnesses were htard.
who presented conflicting testimony in
relation to his mental condition at the
time the will was executed. Decision
was reserved.
George M. Hillman represented the
proponents. James M. Davis appear
ed for the caveators.
Judge Carrow held a session of
court on Friday.
Two cases that had been set down
for a hearing were reported ready and
a jury was called. Before the trial
opened, however, the cases were re-
ported to have just been settled.
They were both against the Public
Service Railway Company, and were
actions for damages resulting from a
between a trolley and an au-
tomobile. The accident occurred in
Bordentown. George Anderson, own
er of the motor car, brought suit for
damages to the machine and for per-
sonal injuries sustained. Archibald
kafer, Jr., the other plaintiff, was an
occupant of the automobile, and sus-
aimed personal injuries also.
A jury then was called to hear the
Ease of George W. Shaner against
Henry H. Bonsall and wife and Ed
ward Bonsall, an action for mechan-
cs' lien.
Last spring the plaintiff, who is a |
contractor, was requested by Mrs. |
3onsall to make a number of repairs |
o the dwelling house she occupied. |
lie performed the work and presented |
bill for $277.94, which was not paid,
md he brought action to lien the prop
rty.
Mrs. Bonsall, wife of Henry HI
is school teacher in Pal |
nyra. In 1912 Bonsall deserted his
wife and went to Philadelphia to live,
her the use of the Palmyra
ouse. He paid the taxes and interest i
n mortgage, but did not otherwise
ontribute to her support.
She testified that he having paid for
ormer repairs to the property, she
ssumed he would pay this bill, but
% refused. When cross-examined she
aid he had not paid for any repairs
or several years. When asked if she
new he had given a deed for the
roperty to his brother, she said she
ad not Joined in making any deed
nd knew nothing about it.
She stated that before making the
resent repairs she had consulted her
usband in Philadelphia, about the
natter, stating that the work was
ecessary. His reply, 'That's up to
ou," she assumed meant that he
would pay the bill.
Edward Bonsall, brother of Henry,
estified that in August, 1915, he re-
eived deed for Henry's interest in
he property, for and in. consideration
f the sum of one dollar, as trustee for
ne minor son of Henry by the latter's
Irst wife. Since that time Edward
las been paying the taxes and inter-
st on the mortgage. He never paid
or any repairs and did not authorize
he work done last spring.
Henry Bonsall denied also that he
ad authorized the repairs to be made.
By direction of the court non-suit
vas granted in the case of Edward
'onsall, trustee.
The jury returned general verdict
against Henry Bonsall and his wife for
he full amount of plaintiffs claim,
which is a judgmentagainst them, but I
8 not lien on the property in suit, as
title thereto is in Edward Bonsall,
trustee, who was non-suited by direc.
ion Of the court.
Joseph Beck Tyler appeared for the
plaintiff; Arnold ]. Beckenbach and |