Wills of Stoddard Co. MO - Miller, David B. - Book A pg.62-66 ***************************************************************** File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Compiled and submitted by © 1999,2000, Connie Perkins ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *************************************************************************** Record Book of Wills in the County of Stoddard, Missouri Book A, pgs. 62-66 Probate Court Depositions on Will of William O. Knight David B. Miller of Lawful age being duly Sworn according to Law deposes and Says Question -- Mr. Miller were ever acquainted with William O. Knight, if So State when and how long -- Answer -- yes. Sir. I have been acquainted with him as long as three or four years. Question -- Was that immediately preceding his death or what time was it. Answer. It was before his death it was the three or four years next before his death Question - Please State to the court how your acquaintance began Answer. I kept a Store here and he came into My Store occasionally when he came into town. Question -- If you Know State what his errant or errants were when he came into your Store. Answer - his Mother bought Some goods of Me at that time & he came with her. Question - State Whether he ever came to your Store alone. Answer -- I do not recollect of his ever coming there by himself as Well as I recollect there was always Some person with him. Question -- State Whether he ever bought any goods of you or at your store. Answer -- Not himself. His mother bought the goods generally except when Sent Some other person he never bought any himself. Question -- State Whether you ever had any other acquaintance with him other than that by person of coming to your store. Answer -- I had Several conversations with him Some talk. Question. Please State what these conversations was about. Answer. There was a great many of them I do not recollect and there is Some I do. I took the liberty of Joking him some. I asked him if had anything to do with a girl or woman. He told me that he had craked or snriggled a girl as he called it Sometime ago after he told me that he begged at me to not pg. 63 tell it. I told him I would not then after that he come in low again he catched hold of me and begged me and told me to not tell that he had told me. I told him I would not tell it. I had Some other conversation with him but I dont recollect at it all was he Spoke of Singing Some Songs-- Question -- Please State what was his manner or how he talked. Answer -- It was in a very broken way as I would call it I could understand him but that was rather a kind of Stuttering. Question -- State Whether his remarks were Sensible or otherwise. Answer -- Some of them were Sensible and Some were not. Question -- State to what the Sensible remarks related. Answer -- The most Sensible was his coming to me and asking me not to tell what he had told me in relation to the girl matter. Question -- State whether any other persons were present at the time of that conversation. Answer -- I think there was I think Mr. Johnson was present. Question -- Please State what was the Manner of Mr. Knight at that time ask whether it indicated the possession of Sense or unsound mind. Answer -- Some of his remarks appeared to be Sensible and Some were not some of his converse appeared to be Sensible and Sound. Question -- Please State how he acted at the time of that conversation. Answer -- he acted in about the Manner , I state there I did not consider his actions Smart. Question -- Please describe the Manner of his walk during your acquaintance with him. Answer -- As well as I recollect he walked pretty much as others now did. Question -- how did Mr. Knight carry his head Answer -- he did not carry it different from other persons that I recollect of Question -- State whether you had noticed any peculiarity about his using any of his limbs arms, hands, or legs. Answer -- I do not know that I ever noticed his having any peculiar way of carrying his limbs. Question - State whether he could write if you know. Answere - I do not know Question -- If you Know Whether he could read. Answer -- I dont know I never saw him read Question -- If you Know, State Whether he owned any property Answer -- I cant Say that I know from my own Knowledge {word covered} pg. 64 hearsay. Question -- State whether you ever saw him doing any business. Answer -- No Sir. I never saw him doing any business his mother always done the business at My house except what She sent for he Never came himself to get anything. Question --State Whether you Know why She did the business. Answer -- Because She might She was ... it. Reckon. Quest -- State whether you saw him frequently or seldom during your acquaintance. Answer. I Saw him a good many times. Quest -- Where did he live during that time. Answer -- I Supposed he lived out here three or four miles with his Mother at David Crytes Ques -- If you know State Whether he lived on a farm Answer. I dont know only from hearsay. Question -- State Whether you ever was acquainted with his Mother Answer -- Yes Sir Question -- State Whether you know any conversation with Mr. Knights Mother about her son in his presents. Answer -- No Sir I dont know if I did Question -- State whether you ever heard Mrs. Knight say anything about William O. Knight in his presence. Answer -- I do not know as I said Question -- When he had to come to your store what did he do Answer -- Well he come there with his mother the most of the time and staid with her till she bought good for the family. Question -- state when he came to your store Whether you talked with him and if so about what Answer. Yes I talked with him Sometimes. I do not Know that I can recollect what we talked about. Question. State Whether you ever had any conversation with intending to Show his mental condition & if so when where and what was it. Answer -- I dont know that I had more than I have Stated. Pg. 65 Question -- State Whether any of the conversation already alluded to were carried on by you in order to ascertain how much William O. Knight know. Answer -- I don't Know but what Some of the conversation I had with him were carried on to know whether he Knew Much or not. Question --Why did you Seek to Know whether he Knew Much or Not Answer -- he had a peculiar way of talking was one thing that caused Me to ask Some questions Question -- State Whether Mrs. Knight ever bought in your Store any goods for William O. Knight in his presences. Answer -- I think She did for him and the family Quest -- At those times when She did buy goods for him. State Whether She consulted him and whether he examined the goods before they were bought. Answer -- I dont recollect of her ever consulting him or him examining the goods. Quest -- State Whether from your acquaintance With Mr. Knight you Would have made any bargain or contract or done business with him. Answer -- No Sir, I would not. Cross Examination Quest -- Mr. Miller from your Knowledge and acquaintance with William O. Knight, do you believe he Knew his father & Mother Answer -- I Believe he Knew his Mother. I don't Know anything about his Father. Quest -- Did William O. Knight allways Know you after you became acquainted with Answer - Yes ye always called Me by Name when he came up to me and he come up to me a good Many times. Question - From your acquaintance, conversation, and Knowledge of William O. Knight do you believe he Knew to whom property belonged. Answer - I think he would have Known his own property if it was placed before him and told it was his. I believe he would recognize it as his property. Quest -- From your Knowledge of William O. Knight if a piece of writing was Slowly read to him {word covered} pg. 66 Short could he understand its object. Answer -- I suppose he Might a Short piece of writing it being Short piece. David B. Miller - signed Sworn to & Subscribed in open Court this 24th day of June AD 1858 Reuben P. Owen Clerk © This page created and placed here by: Connie Perkins cpfamilyhistory@worldnet.att.net November 01, 1999 for MOGenWeb