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[Crouch's?] hands occupied about an hour and was clear and, it must be admitted, convincing. Incidentally, I may say that I have learned from other sources that Dr. Loomis is a man of high professional standing and of unquestioned character and is much endeared to those who know him in Syracuse where his claim, if it should be disputed, would have to be tried. His trustee, Justice Crouch, is a Judge of the Supreme Court at Syracuse and Major Tuck was associated with Judge Crouch up to the time the latter went on the bench. The probability is that Dr. Zoomis's statement would be received without question by any Court of jury in Syracuse and the only issue that would remain would be as to the value of his services, not as to the fact that they had been rendered. Judging from what I know of the services of professional men of the standing of Dr. Loomis, I am inclined to believe that in a Syracuse court and before a jury of his neighbors, Dr. Loomis probably would be able to sustain a charge of $10,000, possibly $15,000, against the estate, and that his attorneys would probably advise bringing suit for some such amounts, if the claim should be litigated. IT is difficult to escape the conclusion that he gave himself with entire consecration to the service of his old friend Mr. Ranger. 

At the conclusion of Dr. Loomis's narrative, I said to him that the executors wanted him to present a claim which would be so free from any element that might excite controversy that they could allow it with sanction of everybody in interest. I repeated that other claims had been presented which seemed to be unjustified, at least one of which had been withdrawn, and others of which the executors might have to litigate, so that I hoped that as this was the estate of his old friend, he would take into consideration the position of the executors as well as his own and that he would present a claim to which nobody knowing the facts could possibly object. With this statement, I asked him what he thought was right and fair and he said that he believed that his services were fairly and reasonably worth $10,000 but that he would make his claim $5,000. I asked him to make up and present his claim promptly and to accompany it not only by the usual formal affidavit of proof, but to send also an affidavit giving a general outline of his services, so that if the executors allowed his claim they would have somewhat more than the formal proof to justify their action. Both he and Mahor Tuck said that this would be done. 

Dr. Loomis stated to me that he had never received any compensation from the estate of Mr. Ranger's father for services rendered to the