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141 Wis. 41

Donovan v. Hyde

Wisconsin Supreme Court

Decided December 7, 1909

Wisconsin Supreme Court · decided 1909-12-07

J. Eeuit, Circuit Judge. Appeal by one Thomas F. Hyde from judgment of the circuit court affirming order of the county court admitting to probate a certain writing as the will of Thomas J. Hyde, deceased. According to the evidence of the proponent the will was drawn for Hyde by a layman while the former was in his last sickness, but able to sit up in bed.

Affirmed · Decided 1909-12-07

¶1The following opinion was filed October 5, 1909 :

Dodge, J.

¶2The principal question presented is a pure issue of fact on which the cire.uit court has reached a conclusion. We do not feel justified in saying more about the evidence than that we fail to find any clear preponderance against such conclusion. '; “

¶3. Error is assigned, and some argument indulged, upon admission of testimony of the Scrivener to personal transactions with the deceased, objectionáble by reason of asserted interest under the will; but the record discloses that such testimony was received merely de dene esse, and does not show that any part thereof relating to personal transactions was considered by the court. Hence no error affirmatively appears in that respect.

¶4Another assignment of error is in the award of costs- against the contestant in circuit court. The circuit court was in better position than we can be to weigh any considerations for or against such award and to exercise sound discretion thereon. We cannot find anything in the record to persuade us that that discretion has been abused.

¶5By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.

Winslow, C. J., took no part.

¶6Upon a motion by the appellant the mandate was, on De'-cember 1, 1909, modified and amended so as to direct that the taxable costs of both parties be paid out of the estate, but that no costs be taxed for printing the case.

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