Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-04-08
FURTHER EVIDENCE OF
MRS. WELLS SANITY
Twenty Witnesses Who We're
Acquainted With Her Give
Testimony for the Proponents
in the Contested Will Case

Martina ara lSllZabeth sykes referred 10
Mrs. Wells as grandma" while Mrs.
Wells. herself, showed great affection for
both Anna and the children. according to
tie testimony of witnesses who were on
the stand Friday in the trial of the
Wells will case. in which the stcp-daugh
ter. Anna Wells Sykes. and the half-ss-
ter and sistcr-in-law, Mrs. Hannah +.
Wells, are seeking 20 break the VIII of
he late Effle Il. ?. Wells.
Attorney John G. Sargent Of Ludlow.
who was not able to attend court on
Thursday. was hand again Friday
~ continue his work in the viii case.
A host Of witnesses, 20 in all. were call
cd by the proponents to testify concern
ing the characteristics of Mrs. Wells.
as to sanity The following
witnesses were on the stand Arthur G.
Crane. Miss Rachael Metcals of Wiuch"s-
ter. Mass, Mrs L. b. Plat Mrs George
q. stiles Mrs. Daniel A. LOOMS. Miss
Cornclia c. Underwood Mrs, Edward
lloyt Mrs. Mary F. Watkins, Mrs. II.
i. Perkins. Mrs. J. II. NJ. Wires. Gardner
Brewer Mrs. George A. Hall. Or. Guy
j.. Loudon. Mrs Archibald j. Taylor,
Mss Jennie Wood Eugene II. Smith,
Mrs. Florence G. Shaw, Miss Ursula Kim
ball, Miss Elinor Kmbail and Miss Carrie
Hagar.
The greater part Of the testimony was
alorg the same lines as that Of Wednes-
day. all questions on the part of the pro-
ponents leading w to the main question
as to whether or not, in the minds of the
witnesses. Mrs. Effie Wells was of sound
mind and memory. The answer Of every
witness was corroborative of those VINO
had testified before-namely that Mrs.
oil af
good judgment in business and other mat
ters possessed of a very good memory,
and with nothing in her actions to indi-
cate any unbalanced condition of any
kind. or any deterioration In her mental
faculties UP to the time of her death.
On the part Of the contestants. tho cross
examination continued to center along the
lines Of the relations between Mrs. Wells
and Anna, and Annals children. Nearly all
Of the witnesses testified that these re-
lations were the normal relations which
exist between mother, daughter and grand
daughters. and none could remember that
Mrs. Wells had ever said anything in their
hearing that would lead TO the conclusion
that there was trouble between her and
Anna The contestants emphasized the
fact that room, known as Annals room.
was kept at the Wells house for Mrs.
Sykes and that there was also room
there which was known as the chldren's
room.
One Of the most important witnesses
of the day was Miss Rachael Metcaf.
the daughter of the Rev. ]. H. Metcalf.
a former pastor Of the Unitarian Church
in this city Miss Metcalf whose home is
now in Winchester. Mass, is ono of the
legatces under the will OF Mrs. Wells TO
the amount of 5000. Miss Metcalf grad
uated last June from Radcliffe College.
She has spent most Of her summers since
leaving Burlington II years ago. in camp
at South Hero. and during the summer
months she has seen much of Mrs. Wells,
as the Metcalfs and Mrs. Wells were close
! friends.
/ Miss Metcaf testified that she had been
! entertained many times at the Wells
! home, that she had taken several auto
mobile trips with Mrs. Wells. had been
entertained by her at the Hotel Belmont
in New York city. and while there mac
been the guest of Mrs. Wells on trips tc
a large number of places Of educationa
and historical interest in the city, rs wei
as at the theatre and other places.
In answering questions concerning Mrs
Wells as a friend of young people and as
a hostess, Miss Metcalf said that, with
out any idea Of being disrespectful &c
age or 10 the memory of Mrs. Wells, tho
description which seemed to fit her wa:
that she was good sport" always
fitting her mood to the mood of those who
were her guests and trying to please
them. She seemed to like the company
of young people and to understand them
MANY details of the life of Mrs. Wells
were brought out by Miss Metcalf which
had not been touched upon by othe
| fat a flut MrS
Wells liked an argument. and used Il
argue with Mr.. Metcalf over religious ant
other matters. hut that she was neve
oppressive in arguments. although sh
always had reasons for taking the posi-
ton which she did.
From personal recollcctions of Mrs
Wells Miss Metcalf told of that lady.
| artistic taste as evidenced in paintings
fancy china, flowers in her garden an
about the house, books. etc, also OF he
generous spirit as shown by the man.
gifts to the witness and others, and tn
work which Mrs. Wells did in the Re
81 osa and many other welfare orGaniza
tons.
Miss Metcalf said that she had not III
s.. shteat doubt OF the sound mini an
memory of Mrs, Effie Wells.
Mention was made during the cours
) of the testimony of Miss Metcalf of III
'line-a-day" book which Mrs. Wells ker
during the last few years OF her If,
Miss Metcalf said that she knew tina
Mrs Wells kept this diary for more tina
two wears. Mrs. Wells had bought
'line-a-day" book for Miss Metcalf an
the witness several times referred TO thi
book to establish dates.
Mrs. l.. b. Plat. president OF the Hon
!, for Destitute Children, testified az to I'll
activities of Mrs. Wells in connectio
:, with that institution. Mrs. George Stlt
and Mrs ID. A. LOOMS told of the wor
= of Mrs. Wells in connection with I'll
= ! Daughters of the American Revolution
OF which she was member of the boar
a Of management Mrs. II. Il. Watkins tie
; tined with regard to working with Mr.
! Wells in connection with the Anti-Su
o frage League, the Red Cross. the XIII
. club, the -. A. F., etc Mrs j. H.
:, Wires spoke of the interest of Mrs Wei
:, In the Home for Aged Women, and of h,
work as member of the board of tru
a, tees or that institution. Gardner Brew,
told OF his associations with her as
=, customer in his store and of her contr
. button TO the school garden project.
- DR.. Guy f.. Loudon told of treating Mr.
Wells for a slight trouble with her hi
and later for general tonic TO impro,
the circulation and tone up the SISTER
Eugene II. Smith testified as to the VOL
r which he had done in the Wells home !
decorator and painter. The Miss
r. Ursula and Elinor Kimball daughters
e r. r. kimball, gave IA picture of Il
a home life of Mrs. Wells, gained fro
| iati ~