Only Performed Light Chores

ONLY PERFORMED LIGHT CHORES

Mrs. Flowers Said Not to Have Done Hard Work

SHE IS THE WOMAN

Who Ask for $1065 for Services Rendered Her Father

The case af Ellen M. Flowers, of Ypsilanti, who is contesting the administration of the estate of her late father, Joseph Follmore, claiming that there is $1,065 due her from the estate for services performed for her father during his lifetime, was on trial in the probate court. The administrator of the estate, Horton F. Case, was represented by Attorney Martin J. Cavanaugh, while Mrs. Flowers had John P. Kirk, of Ypsilanti, for her counsel. The first witness who was put on the stand by Attorney Cavanaugh was Nellie Follmore, a pretty brunette and the wife of the late George Follmore, who was Joseph Follmore's son. Mrs Follmore testified that she was frequently at the home of her father-in-law prior to his last illness and that she never saw Mrs. Flowers doing any hard work. Mrs. Flowers, the witness said, frequently did small chores about the place, but they were not of a nature to call for a great deal of exertion. She also testified that Mr. Follmore, her father-in-law had only been confined to his bed about three weeks before his death. She did not think hat Mrs. Flowers had given Mr. Follmore any more attention than the rest of the family.

During the testimony of the witness, Mrs. Flowers frequently prompted her attorney. When Mr. Kirk took the witness in hand, however, he was unable to shake her testimony. His rapid fire of questions would have nonplussed many a witness more accustomed to the surroundings of the court room. He tried to prove by the witness that she was not in a position to know what household duties were performed, and by whom, in the home of Joseph Follmore, he adroitly suggesting to her that her time would have been so taken up with her children that she would not have been able to give attention to what was going on at her father-in-law's house.

On cross-examination Attorney Cavanaugh made it plain how Mrs. Follmore could have had plenty of opportunity of knowing what was being done at the house of Joseph Follmore. In questioning the witness he showed that she had to go to the house of Joseph Follmore many times a day for water from a well there, there being nothing but cistern water at the house of the witness. He also very conclusively showed that both houses were within a stone's throw of one another and that the witness was in a position to know almost everything of Importance that was going on in her father-in-law's house.

As told in the Argus a few days ago, Mr. Follmore died intestate. Commissioners on claims were appointed to settle up the estate, valued at about $6,000. At that time Mrs. Flowers put in no claims, alleging afterwards that she did not know that the commissioners were looking into the property. On February 26, 1891, it is said that she filed an affidavit declaring that there were no debts against the estate. She now asks for $1,065, which she says is due her for services in her father's house during his life-time.