Norwich bulletin., 1922-03-29
EXECUTOR OF WILL ON
STAND IN LUTHER CAST

David F. Armstrong of Groton, execu-
tor of the will Of Mrs. Augusta L. Luz
Their. widow of Capt. joseph Luther of
New London, which relatives are trying
to break on the grounds of undue infu-
enco and mental incapacity, went on the
stand iN the superior court in New Lon
don Tue Sday morning and testified as to
his relations with Captain and Mrs Lu-
ther.
Mr.. Armstrong said that he first be-
came acquainted with Mrs. Luther in
1901 VIXEN he was introduced to her by
Captain Luther, whom he had met a
short time before through their mutual
interest in automobiles. He testified that
during that year he only saw Mrs. Luth-
er once CT twice. In 1905 he saw Mrs
Luther few tines, perhaps, half
dozen but he never called at the Luther
| home for social visits during that time.
! The witness said that he saw a great
! deal of Captain and Mrs. Luther in 1906
when he droy their automobile on sew
! efal trips. to Narragansett Pier, Hart
! ford, Springfield and other places. He
! said he never got any compensation for
services, but Captain Luther paid the
/ hotel bills and all expenses 1T was a
| novelty and I was young and I enjoyed
it, said the witness. He said he visited
tbs Iaulhers at their home quite lot
that year.
He went on to testify Of his employ
nlent at Eastern Point, in New York and
in New London up to 1917 Some time
during the latter part of that year. he
testified, Mrs. Luther came to his home
| in Groton and asked him to drive her
car. He sad he did not have an opera
tors license, but he had one issued, and
he drove the Luther car. Saturdays, Sun
days and holidays until the death Of
Captain Luther and then for Mrs. Luther
until her DEATH Mr.. Armstrong sale
that he went on several trips with Cap
tain and Mrs. Luther in 1918 and tht
party usually consisted Of Captain and
Mrs Luther, his (the witnessO wife anf
daughter and himself. Mr.. Armstrong
said that the same conditions as to his
; relations with Captain and Mrs. Luthel
and the frequency of the automobile
trips existed in 1919 and 1920.
Mr.. Armstrong testified that on the oc
casions Of his vistNs to Captain and Mrs
Luther's home the subjects Of converse
: ton were automobiles, submarines, TIL
sinking of vessels during this war ant
other current topics. He said that Mrs
Luther was interested in vessel prop
erty and talked a good deal about yes
sci property which Captain Luther own
: ed. He testified that Mrs. Luther toll
his vessel property to her and that sh
: had told him that their earning wa
good especially during the war.
. The witness said that Mrs. Luthe
: thought a great deal Of his child. CAV
e her presents. called her "her little girl
and said that she would like to see he
get college educc ton. Mr. Armstron
testified that Mrs Luther had told hir
h Captain Luther thought good deal o
him and had remarked that he woul
: like to adopt him If he were younger.
a Mr.. Armstrong; testimony was inter
rupted at tfis point for a short recess
: of the court when the appelees put Mr..
!, Elizabeth J. Bolden of Philadelphia o
the stand. She testified to the marriag
: Of her husband to Mrs. Gaillard severe
= years ago. which is alleged to have bee
= the cause of the estrangement betwee
the latter and her sister. Mrs. Luther.
The first witness on the. stand, Tues
day norning was Cornelius C.. Costell
;. Of Mystic WHO testified that he had see