Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-07
SUPREME COURT
March T . r IN Finally
Adjourned Saturday
Last case Heard Saturday by Justice
Hanson, the Case Of L. D. coomb.
OF WetsrvilIs, Appellant from De.
cree Of Judge Of Probate Appoint
Ing Guardian

Vsosase HPPotnt~
Ing Guardian
The last case demanding the atten-
ton OF Associate Justice Hanson at
tne March term of the supreme judi
claI court for Kennebec county occu-
pied the greater part of the day. Sat-
urday, and was that Of L. D. Coombs
OF Waterville. appellant from the de-
cree OF the judge Of probate appoint
ing Dr. Matthew S. Goodrich of Wa
tervlile, his guardian. Hon. w. r.
Pattangan vase counsel for Mr..
Coombs. The appeal contained three
reasons for dissention. The first
canned that there was no reason for
a guardian to be appointed, the Sec
ond that Or. Goodrich was not a pro-
per person and third that friction ex-
listed between DIR. Goodrich and Mr..
Coombs.
AT the morning session, following
the openings Of Attorney Pattangall
Tor Mr.. Coombs, and Attorney B. F.
Maner for the proponents, witnesses
including We. Shea and two BROTH
ers and a sister, Mrs. Chaplin, who
were brothers and sisters to the de-
ceased wife of Mr.. Coombs were mt
on the stand by Attorney Maher and
TESTIFIED to the several reasons WHY a
guardian should be appointed and
why DR.. Goodrich was the man an
pointed by the judge of probate. and
his qualifications for SO serving. They
testified that the wife of Mr.. Coombs
peiore a serious surgical operation.
"nlch later resulted in her death. had
MADE will appointing DR.. Goodrich
the executor and consequently the
doctor had been appointed guardian
py the probate court. Drs. Pratt and
Hardy, two we'll known physicians of
Waterville testified as to the ability
OF DIR. Goodrich, and of his standing
IN the community. The proponents
were represented by Judge B. F. Ma
her OF Augusta and Carl Blackington
of Waterville.
AC the afternoon session, the first
witness was Mrs. Fannie M. Russell.
wso said that she was the housekeep-
er for Mr.. Coombs, had been there fort
some six year and had come to Mr..
Coombs' home at the solicitation of
Mr.. Coombs' wife, just before her
death. She said that she had nursed
Mrs. Coembs during her last illness.
IN answer to questions he said that
she was a married woman, her hus-
pand being away a greater part of the
time, he being employed on the Maine
Central railroad, but he was at home
some nights and over Sunday. She
said that she had two daughters, aged
10 and Il years, and that these con-
stituted the family living with MIR.
Coombs. She told of the arrange
ments as to the running expenses of
the home as agreed to at all times
by Mr.. Coombs. She testified that she
had no personal reasons for objecting
to the appointment of DR.. Goodrich
as Mr.. COMBS guardian, excepting
that she felt for Mr.. COMBS welfare
that the doctor should not be APP
pointed. She told at length of Mr..
Coombs mental and physical. contli-
ton and the effect that DR.. Goodrich
had on his mental condition.
Attorney Pattangall called Mr..
Coombs, who was asked some ques-
lions without being sworn. Mr..
Coombs had to be assisted to the front
of the court room and was allowed
to sit just in front of the witness
stand. His appearance was most pa
thetic. He at times, was unable to
connect his thoughts and his memo
nv was badly lacking. His answers
to questions put to him were to the
effect that he was very much opposed
to DR.. Goodrich being his guardian.
He. however, did not seriously object
to some other responsible person be-
ing appointed At this point, Judge
Hanson, acting from suggestions by
Attorney Pattangall. suggested few
minutes get-together by counsel in an
attempt to agree upon some person
thus to be appointed, but this offer
Attorney Maher Immediately turned
down. Mr.. Maher, after calling DIR.
Goodrich in rebuttal, again called Mr..
Coombs, who was sharply questioned
by Attorney Blackington in an at
tempt to demonstrate his Coombs)
real mental condition.
Attorney Pattangall. in his argu-
merit. laid great stress that q guardi-
an appointed should be to the liking
of a charge. He quoted from a deci-
sion made by Justice Cornish in the
case of an insane person. He also
suggested the names of a few prom
inent citizens of Waterville whom he
thought might be available. In clos1
ing, he earnestly urged such an ap-
pointment and pleaded for the well
fare of his client.
Judge Makers argument was most
" made on a point of law. He went
into the details of this case to great
length taking issue with Mr.. Pattan-
gall on the Interpretation of the diff
ferent statutes. ....-. .--.
In adjourning court to Sept. 26th,
Justice Hanson took the case under
Amusement until that time.
The. meeting recently conducted
by the local corps of the Salvation
-