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
This site is a part of the Stoddard County Missouri web site, hosted by: Mary Hudson mahud@rollanet.org
If you have a problem with this site, please contact
Mary Hudson and/or Connie Perkins
To contact the State CoordinatorYvonne James-Henderson - hen1@idt.net

This Page sponsored by
Rootsweb		 Return to:
Stoddard County Web Site
Since November 01, 1999
You are our 150th visitor -- thanks for stopping by!