Walker v. Walker
Walker v. Walker
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
The issue devisavit vel non was tried before the chancellor, the parties having waived a trial by jury, and the issue was found for the contestees. We must treat the finding as that of a jury, and decline to disturb it unless unsupported by evidence.
Briefly, the facts are that the will was prepared at the dictation of the testator about ten days before its execution, and that on that occasion the three subscribing witnesses were called in at the request and desire of the testator to attest the.execution of the instrument. There is evidence to the effect that, after the witnesses had been informed of the purpose in calling them in, and had been introduced into the testator’s sick chamber, the drawer of the paper handed it to the testator, with the remark, “ here is your will,” and that the testator, after calling for his spectacles, and putting them on, either read or glanced over the will, and signed it, thereupon, in the presence of the witnesses. There is, also, evidence that immediately after the testator had signed, he inquired of the witnesses whether they could identify his signature, and that, after examination, they declared their ability to do so. The whole evidence (with only a single variant note) declares that the instrument was at once attested by the subscribing witnesses, in the testator’s room, within a few feet of him as he lay upon his bed, and that the testator could have witnessed this attestation, if he had so desired, having only to turn his head to see what was done. That he was abundantly able physically to move his head is perfectly manifest.
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Susie F. Walker v. Rufus Walker
- Cited By
- 5 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. Win. Attestation. In the presence of testator. Under the requirement that a will shall be attested by two or more witnesses in the presence of the testator, where he has signed, and, having a mental consciousness of the act to be performed, but, because of the position he is in, does not actually see the witnesses subscribe their names, the attestation is good, provided he had the physical ability to change his position, and by so doing could have seen the signing. Watson v. Pipes, 32 Miss. 451, cited. 2. Same. Case in judgment. A will was prepared ^t the testator’s direction, and at his request three persons were called to witness its execution. He was quite sick and was lying in a “ sort of stupor,” but when spoken to would respond intelligently. The paper was handed to him, with the remark, “ Here is your will,” when he called for and adjusted his spectacles and either read or glanced over the instrument and, knowing the contents, signed it in the presence of the witnesses, and asked if they could identify his signature. They answered yes, and thereupon took the paper and subscribed it as witnesses, at a table in the room, which was back of the testator and where they were not actually seen by him, but where he could have seen them by turning his head on the pillow, which he was easily able to do. Held, a sufficient execution and attestation. 3. Finding of Chancedlob on Facts. Treated as a verdict. Where a jury trial is waived and an issue devisavit vel non is submitted to the chancellor, his findings on the facts will be treated as that of a jury, and will not be disturbed, unless unsupported by evidence.