The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1919-07-17

last week here and was ACCOMPANIED
nome, Monday by wife and baby.
Miss Colleen Bethea has accented a
position as stenographer in Greens
boro, N. C.
by A. D. Matheson as ]. ]. Matheson
alleges in his complaint. 1t was gen
erally y known that Deems was help
Ing IN his business. He had other
good assistants in his business.
Dr. j. F. Kinney testified that he
was called to see Mr.. Matheson when
ne had his first stroke, and talked
with him few times afterwards. He
did not appear normal. Judging
from the general effect of disease of
that kind in my experience and from
medical authorities, do not think
ne was competent to dispose of his
large estate by will without help.
DR.. Chas. R. May, who was Mr..
Matheson's family physician, son-in-
law, and one Of the executors of the
will testified that Mr.. Matheson was
weaker, mentally and physically, af-
ter his stroke, but that he was by no
means crazy. I advised against Mr..
Matheson making any papers as I
thought he ought not to be taxed
with anything that would cause ex-
citement.
The contestants attorneys produc-
ed a copy of an affidavit by DR.. Nav
which was filed with the exemption
board asking for deferred classifica-
tion for A. D. Matheson to help. at
tend to his fathers large business
on account of A. j. Matheson's in
firm physical and mental condition.
DR.. May testified that A. D. Matheson
was necessary to assist his father in
his business. A. ]. Matheson was COM
petent to direct his business but
needed his sons assistance to carry
1t out.
w. c. Breeden testified that A. ].
Matheson's mental condition was de-
cidedly worse after he had the stroke.
In buying cotton he sometimes got
mixed up on the rrices and offered
as much as a cent pound above the
market. Don't think he was COM
petent to transact business in March,
1918, nor to execute a will like the
one in dispute. 1 did not have any
business transactions with him. Have
often heard men offer above market
for cotton to people who owed them.
The man who was offered above mar
ket for cotton did not let Mr.. Math-
eson have it.
Col. j. P. Gibson testified that Mr..
Matheson's mind was not near so ac-
tive after he had the stroke. He was
in my office on March 18th or 18th,
1918. accompanied him out to the
fountain. He said he was going to
the bank, but went toward -hawe.-1A-
my judgment he was totally incapac-
itated to transact business of any
kind.
]. H. Mitchell testified that in
March 1918, I went to Mr.. Mathe-
sons office to sell him some fertiliz-
ers. He spoke to ME and called me
Mr.. Darlington. He acted different
from what he used to. l asked him
why he called me Darlington. He
said he didn't know that he could
not remember or think as we'll as he
used to. I tried to sell him some fer
tilizers. He said he would seei Deems
about it. He said he had made his
will, and he hoped 1t was fair and
satisfactory. 1 don't think he was
then competent to transact business
or make will disposing of his prop
erty.
Mr.. Mitchell said he did not know
Tom Darlington, fertilizer agent,
who looks like Mr.. Mitchell.
w. C. Bruce testified that Mr..
Matheson's mental condition was not
as good after the stroke. He seemed
feeble and confused in the spring of
1918. Don't think he was compe-
tent to divide up property. He talked
sdnsibly. He said his legs were
about given out, and his head too.
J. P. Evans testified that Mr..
Matheson's mind was very feeble af-
ter the first stroke. I sold him cot
ton. Deems or Mr.. Freeman were
present to make calculations for him.
Don't think he was capable of trans
acting much business without assist
ance. Don't think he was capable OF
executing this will. Everything he|
said was in a sensible manner, but
he would sometimes say 33 cents
when he meant A, and some times
calldd me Will instead of Jack. Be
fore the stroke I saw him going toI
Loudon by himself, but after the
stroke, somebody went with him.
regard Loudon plantation worth
$4,000 or 100000.
John ]. Adams testified that not
long before A. j. Matheson died
bought lot from him (Feb. l, 1919
He offered to sell it all to me for
$1,000. told him l would take it.
He said he would have the deed fix
ed. Deems called me up and said
his father would not let me have it