Knapp v. St. Louis Trust Co.
Missouri Supreme Court
98 S.W. 70 (1906)
- Written by Rich Walter, JD
Facts
Anna Knapp (plaintiff) sued St. Louis Trust Company (bank) (defendant) to contest the validity of Margaret Gaffey's will, on the ground that Gaffey was not of sound mind and was under undue influence when she executed the will. Before Gaffey's death, Dr. McWilliams visited Gaffey’s home to provide treatment and received payment for those visits. In his account book, McWilliams noted the visits and payments, as well as the hyperaemia, brain softening, and paralysis for which he treated Gaffey during his visits. McWilliams died before trial. The trial judge admitted McWilliams' account book as evidence only that McWilliams charged Gaffey for visits on certain dates. The trial ended in judgment for the bank. Knapp appealed to the Supreme Court of Missouri, arguing McWilliams' account book should also have been admitted as evidence of the nature of Gaffey's disease.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Gantt, J.)
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