New-York tribune., 1920-11-05
Mrs. Cole Gave
$4,000 Cash
70 Physician
Dr.. Ward Admits He Got
SIS 900 IA Year From
Woman Who Bequeathed
Hacst of Estate to Him
Her Kin Contesting VIII
Doctor Questioned in Re-
gard to Holding Hands
and Smoothing Brow

Ihere was preliminary hearing yes
terday in the Surrogate's Court in the
contest of the will of Mrs. Margaret C.
Cole, who bequeathed most of her ST.
100000 estate to her physician, DR..
Freeman Ward, of GIG Madison Avenue.
Mrs. Ella l. Riley OF Chicago, niece
oy marriage brought the action, allcg-
ing that Mrs. Cole was infatuated with
the physician. was mentally incompe-
tent and under undue influence when
she made her will.
The contestants were represented by
Frank +. Walsh, and John 7. Cussack,
OF Boston, represented Dr.. Ward.
In her will Mrs. Cole beoueathe ID
81 900 each to several relatives and an
income from $4,000 to another. The
residue Of h"r estate went to Dr. Ward.
According to Mrs. Riley, DR.. Ward
was an extremely indulgent physician
II treating Mrs. Cole. who. it is alleged.
became infatuated with him Mrs. Cole
'eft collection of diamonds 10 DR..
Wards wife.
For long time prior to her death
Mrs. Cole was under the care of Mrs
Riley and two nurses. Mrs. Riley, how
ever, contends that eventually Mrs.
that they were maltreating her and
that Dr.. Ward encouraged her in this
obsession. According to Mrs. Riley DR..
Ward told Mrs. Cole
That is right. I am your only
friend. You must tell me everything
that happens
Mrs. Cole was fifty-four years old at
the time of her death.
Doctor Questioned on Treatment
DID you ever hold Mrs. Coles hand
or smooth her brow" asked Mr.. Walsh
OF Dr.. Ward yesterday.
Il did nothing that was not profes-
sional," was Or. Wards reply.
"ls it professional to hold hands and
smooth brows % persisted Mr. Walsh.
sometimes it might me profes-
sional." replied DR.. Ward.
Were you her adviser, physical and
spiritual ?' asked Mr.. Walsh after the
physician had narrated his friendly re
lations with Mrs. Cole.
NO" was the doctors laconic reply.
Under examination DR.. Ward admit
tod having received $4,000 in cur
rency from Mrs. Cole. He also admit
ted having received checks for profes-
sIonal services at the rate of $4,000
q year.
Asked whether he ever wrote notes
to Mrs. Cole, the physician said he did
NOT, except perhaps on occasions when
he was out of town. Mrs Cole had a
residence at Whitestone, j. l., but lived
great deal at the Hotel Gotham, in
this city. Dr.. Ward had country
place of about 100 acres at Stamford
Conn, and, the examination showed.
Mrs. Cole likewise acquired a place
there on the advice of Dr. Ward.
This place was given by Mrs. Cole,
prior to her DEATH to Or. Ward at a
rental Of 81 year, the property to re
Vert to him entirely at the expiration
OF five wears.
According to DR.. Ward, on August
1914. Mrs. Cole placed the property at
his disposal so that he might found a
sanatorlum "for refined patients" The
property consisted of the house and six
lots, also three adjacent lots, worth
$500 each.
"And on October 2. 1919, you got the
Whole business, didn't you?' queried
At this point Mr.. Cusacls objected,
saying the property was given to Dr..
Ward Iii trust TO establish q sang
torium. Upon the insistcncc Of MIR.
Walsh, however, Dr.. Ward admitted
the property reverts to him at the ex-
piration of five years, and that now
he collects the rental from it.
DR.. Ward said he thought that Mrs.
Coles removal to Stamford would be
desirable. IL said something to the
effect that it would be convenient to
have hey close to my professional at
tention.' said Dr. Ward lie also de-
clared that Mrs. Cole mad wiiled to him
the furniture or her Stamford house
except an old mahogany bedstead.
The examination Will be continued