In Re Will of Harrison

Stacy, J. Tbe paper-writing propounded, and wbicb is called in question by tbe caveat filed herein, is alleged to have been found, shortly after the death of Mrs. Harrison, securely wrapped in some clothes supposed to have been put aside by tbe deceased to be used as ber shroud. Tbe burial clothes, containing tbe alleged will, were found in tbe top *459 bureau drawer in Mrs. Harrison’s room. Tbis drawer was locked at tbe time, and it also contained ber purse, or, at least, sbe was in tbe babit of keeping ber purse and other effects in tbis drawer. Tbe alleged will was sealed in an envelope and addressed to Alice, Maude, and Clyde, daughters of tbe deceased. Tbe following is a verbatim copy of the paper-writing propounded: December 21, 1914. Alice, Maud and Clyde, my dear children, when I am dead want you to have 50 acbers of my land run off and give Grove deed to it if be is living then divided equal between you three children if either of you die without having any children at that wons death I want that wons part to go to Maud children, now my dear children please do just like ive ask you to do when I am dead and gone, dont want eny of you to ware black for me, think it looks better not preten to start it then only part black now do as I say about it dont forget to burn all my old things I want you all to do just like ive told you, dont want eney won to read this while T am living. ' Genia Haeeison. The record contains over a hundred exceptions, and it would be a work of supererogation to consider them in detail or seriatim. Indeed, we deem it unnecessary to go beyond the first issue; for, if this be answered correctly and without error, the remaining issues and exceptions relating thereto become immaterial. The jury have found as a fact that the letter or script, if genuine and in the handwriting of the deceased, was not written animo testandi, by which is meant that it was not her purpose or intention that said paper-writing should operate as a testamentary disposition of her property (.In re Johnson, 181 N. C., 305); or else the jury has determined that the same was not found among the valuable papers and effects of the decedent. C. S., 4144. This is the necessary meaning of the answer to the first issue; and, under the jury’s finding, the letter or instrument propounded may not be admitted to probate as a valid holograph will. Spencer v. Spencer, 163 N. C., 83. The animus testandi of Mrs. Harrison being doubtful, or, at least, ambiguous, as appears from the face of the instrument, we think his Honor was justified in submitting the question to the jury for determination. “It is essential that it should appear from the character of the instrument and the circumstances under which it was made that the testator intended it should operate as his will, or as a codicil to it.” In re Bennett, 180 N. C., 5. Propounders object because Mrs. Rasberry, one of the caveators, was permitted to testify that the bureau drawer in which it is alleged the script was found was not usually kept locked; that Mrs. Harrison was *460 not in tbe babit of keeping it locked; tbat there was a key to tbe drawer, and tbat sometimes it was locked and at other times it was not. It is urged tbat this testimony should have been excluded, under C. S., 1795, as violative of tbe rule against offering evidence of personal transactions or communications between tbe interested witness and tbe deceased person; but we do not think tbe evidence in question falls within tbe inhibition of the statute. It was competent for the witness to say whether or not the drawer was locked, and to testify as to the babit or custom of keeping it locked. This was a matter within her own knowledge, and .did not perforce entail a recitation of any personal transaction or communication with tbe alleged testator. Carroll v. Smith, 163 N. C., 204; McCall v. Wilson, 101 N. C., 598. Tbe extent of her observation and tbe opportunity she may have bad to know about tbe matter, independent of any transaction or communication with the deceased, were inquired into on tbe cross-examination; and this was proper as affecting her credibility and tbe weight of her testimony, but not necessarily its competency. In re Bradford's Will, ante, 4. In Lane v. Rogers, 113 N. C., 171, it was held tbat tbe witness might say she saw tbe book in tbe bands of tbe deceased, at tbe time and place in question, but not tbat tbe deceased banded her tbe book. See, also, McEwan v. Brown, 176 N. C., 249, and Sawyer v. Grandy, 113 N. C., 42. After a careful examination of tbe record, we have found no reversible error with respect to tbe trial of tbe first issue, and it is, therefore, unnecessary for us to consider tbe remaining exceptions. No error. Hoke, J., dissenting.