WALLS HUNG WITH CARROTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3241, 10 June 1911, Page 9

WALLS HUNG WITH CARROTS.

MAD visions of a testator of A £17,000 ESTATE. COW IX HE ROOM. • Delusions of an extraordinary kind •were said to have affected a testator whose will, involving £1,7,000, was in dispute in the London Probate Division. The late Mr .Edgar Swan, a, civil engineer, of Colchester, married twice. Under his will his widow and her children chiefly benefited, while under two codicils the estate was distributed among the children of both marriages. Mr E. A. Swan, a barrister, the eldest son, propounded the will, and codicils, but probate was opposed by the widow and her three (children. The widow alleged that the dead man had suffered from delusions, some of which were: That ho had been placed in command of troops in,the Crimea. That he had won a great victory, and beeni congratulated by generals. That he was continually surrounded by Russians. That there was an iron ball in a field adjoining his house, which was dangerous to him and his family. That his room -walls were hung with carrots, and That lie had vegetables sprouting from' his head. In 1905 the testator underwent an operation, and evidence was given of delusions he suffered afterwards. He died in December, 1900, in his 90th year. As a. civil engineer he had been engaged in building railways in various countries, including the Crimea. It was suggested that he believed, after the operation, that a cow ivas in the room. He would crow like a cock, and repeat a phase such as “Oliver and Parker” until it got on people’s nerves. A son of the second marriage, Mr Stanley Swan, spoke to the testator’s delusion about there being an iron ball in an adjoining field' which was harmful to him and hie family. Accordingly he told the witness to guard it, and to get the blacksmith to chain it up. Wbeni he thought the house was surrounded by Russians he ordered all the doors to be barricaded. A witness named Taylor, who took old Mr Swan out at Colchester in an invalid chair, said! Mr Swan would sometimes express a desire to be wheeled to the Elephant and Castle in London, not appreciating; where he was. The jury found in favor cf the will, but against the two codicils executed in May, 1906. Judgment was entered accordingly, the question of costs being reserved.