Year: 1862

Street Savings Bank Mr. shaer had told me An his own
Office that we could make 900 out OF the w Dr. owns
had said TO me, What Is the Of Mr.. Hopper max ng
WILL Il won't stand !" told Mr.. Shafsr that 1t would
DO hard matter 70 satisfy Mr. Wiley Mr. Shaer said in
the presence or Drs. Downs and Vanderpoe that Mr..
Wiley would move heaven and earth TO break the will l
never told Mr. Shaiier that Bib Wiley couldn't do much
against the influence OF three powerful religious
thought Mr.. Hopper's condition from the time be W .
burned until his death like that OF young child
perfectly helpless in body and mind before that time
he always railing against somebody; the week be
fore he burned called on him, when he said "How
long are you going TO keep in the Tombsf" when L.
knowing the man. told him to rest easy and be patient
and would have him out in few days; before Mr.
Hopper was burned considered him o OF unsound
mind; he told Mary Russell in my presence he
wished God would send him 10 hell tnat he igh have
tussel with the devil TO who'd beat when Mr. Shat
fer was not Mr. Hopper would speak OF him In the
worst terms saying thas his matters attended
to- not hurried up; that Mr. Shafier q God damned
fool and he believed that instead Of getting him OF
trouble he was only getting him in dsspor; when in Mr.
Shafers Office his manners conversation and lang age
would be entirely different; he was constantly railing
against bis family saying that they wanted TO poison
nm had threatened him with cold steel and others had
got INN 10 60 down New York bay in boat with the
intention of drowning him. business relations
very simple all could get out of him was TO get
much money a. could and Keep IL ALL as might as well
have 1t as any one else; he down every thing
good, and said hs would have ythng TO do with
any one who was connected with q church, and would
curse different clergymen in the most violent terms;
day two after tho will made Mr.. Shansr asked
TO let his partner (Mr HUH have $500 OF Mr. Hoppcrs
money account OF their bill; rather violent
took place my refusing TO do So said IL would be
an unbusiness like sort OF affair; Mr. Shaffer told II
we consulted Mr.. Hopper's wishes there would be some
thing left in the will both to him and myself.


Cross examined-Prior to Mr.. Hopper being burned
he always expressed himself to being opposed to
giving Mrs. Hopper her thirds, and expressed wish
that his entire property might be given to the city Of
New York; never FOR moment considered Mr.. Hopper
possessed sufficient soundness Of mind to dispose OF his
effects and never thought the will would stand told
Mr. Shaner's partner that considered Mr. Hopper was
crazy and that il OF the family would break
the will If possible; had Mr. Shaer asked for my opn





Thomas d. James being called tho stand and sworn,
testified follows reside in the city of New York.
and am one OF the firm OF Van Antwerp James attor-
neys know Charles Hopper for at least ye last
past and for several years prior june in 1857
transacted business for him at the time ceased 10 do
business for him considered him OF very weak, vac
lang and unsound mind; from time until his decease
thought his mind deprecated in strength and soundness


Abram NJ Tanning recalled and further cross-ex-
partner Mr. Shasr, what had told him respecting the
wlll the offer to make executor did not influence
my conduct in respect 10 the drawing OF the will and its
execution: l consider l conducted myself properly
through the whole proceeding; did not give any inorma
lion; answered no questions that not asked me;
considered Mr. Hopper TO be truthful man; he
was stern, stubborn and very violent or irritable
Redirect examination-I have frequently heard Mr..
HUFF ncite Charles Hopper to turn John Hopper Of tho
house, from the time first became acquainted with
Charles Hopper formed the opinion that he either
man Of unsound mind inveterate drnkor bat from
his actions and conversations afterwards was led to be-
lsve he OF unsound mind, and told differ ent
bsrs Of the family within three months Of my becom
ing acquainted with him.


Thomas u. James was recalled and subjected to a
Searching examination the subject Of his former
answers show that he though. the deceased
of violent temper ard strong passions and that his
mind seriously impaired very unsound. The
s still ponding before the Surrogate.