The New York herald., 1871-10-25
MORE DOLLARS ASTRAY.
How Was Old Samuel Belden When
He Made His viii?
A Handsome Woman on Polite
Drinking.

The case of the disputed viii Of Samuel A. Bslden
was brought up yesterday morning in the surro-
gate's Court before Surrogate Hutchings. The tes.
tatOr resided In Brownsville Texas. and died
worth in real and personal property, over $780,
Most OF the real estate Is situated In Mexico and
Texas, and Il Is expected VIII IN future time
represent q much larger value than 1t does at
present. Old Mr. Belden was ABOUT seventy
years Of age, and departed this life on the 18th
OF February last, at the fremont House In this
city, having come to New York on visit to his
relatives last summer. the old gentleman devised
his property to his brShes, sisters and neces but
leaving by far the lions share OF his properly to
Mrs Reichart, OF this city. Mrs. Rechart
BECAME MoRosE,
1t appears, to the Old gentleman last summer when
he was afflicted with sunstroke In New York, but
remained in attendance on him until his death.
she Is the pr0ponent Of the will. and two OF Mr..
Beldens brothers, sister and one niece are the
contestants. The latter allege that Mrs. Reichart
procured the making OF the Will by undue influences;
that the will was made while the testatOr was In
dellrous state that Mrs. Reichart gave HIM intoxl
eating liquors and morphine to large extent on the
day that he made the wll and tnat he had to be
supported In his bed SO weak was he until that
closures OF Yesterday, the case promises before 1t
finishes 10 develop some spicy family scandal
MI. Winchester BrittOn appeared for The fair pro-
ponent, and Mr.. Graves for the contestants.
THE TESTIMONY.
The nrst witness examined III the case was a Mr.
COrnwel, one OF the subscribing witnesses to the
WILL In his direct examination he depO5ed that he
was present when the VIII was made; that the esta
well wnat he was doing This witness was cross
examined for over two hours by the counsel for the
contestants as to whether
sTIMUIANTs WERE GIVEN
to him to any extent on the day ne made the Will.
the witness sad M that not beng M Beidens nurse
He was also crcss-examlned as 70 whether the de-
knew everybody who called on MN that day
animation. The other subscribing witness to the
Will was a Mr. Alay, who added nothing to the
Tne case became really Interesting when Mrs.
Relcnart TOOK the stand. Sne is tall. majestic
looking woman. with u slightly aquiine nose, large
graylsh eyes and the lghest of auburn hair, which
nowed in rIch tresses over her shoulders. few
WHICH CROWNED HER FOREHEAD,
though she looked not more than thirty years OF
s tM 0l e about Se Of @
face MIR. Relchart would be ranked an ex-
tremeiy handsome woman. man. AS t Is sde possesses
splendid woman. Sne gave her evidence very de.
cidedly, anu at times
PROVOKED LAUGH
In Court by the fine way III which she cut her an
swers down. Mrs. Relcllart Is not at all verbose.
of Mr. COrnnell. She said she was not present all
the time whlle the will was being made but as to
According to her testimony he had ms senses per-
fectly. and recognized everybody whe was present,
Her cross examination
WAS VERY SPICY.
Counsel Mr. Graves. apologlzed for some Of the
questions which lie might have TO ask her during
the crossexamnatlon. Mrs. Reichart waived her
hand loftlly and said, Not at al.m
cason when gentleman called on Mr. Beden and
asked him II ne recognized hms The deceased
said Yes, he did and on the gentleman's asking
him II he knew his name, the deceased answered,
You are from Texas.'"
sir." '' ''A''AA''' '"''A "'' '''' '''' NV
CoUNsEL-Do you remember his ever saying while
sick bed that he was at sea.
WITNESS, very uccldeuly-NO, SIT.
| CoUNsEL-Dld he ever think while sick that he
| WITNEss-No SIR very decdedlv); his mind was
| as clear as mlhe this moment; 1t became gradually
| weaker after the Will was made.
COUNsEL-W Was he Dilnd before his death.
| WITNESSING. Sir.
COUNSEL-Were his eyes bad.
/ WITNEss-A little while he was sick.
CoUNsEL-Then he recognized all visitors
| WITNESS-Ycs sir.
The witness was then examined as to whether
| when several individuals whose names counsel
mentioned called on the deceased without being
| recognized his friends
CoUNsEL-Had your uncle any unfriendly relations
toward your father
WTNEss-Yes, sir.
CoUNsEL-Are you on unfrendly relations toward
WrTNEss-I don't know; never mentioned my
fathers name to my uncle IN all my lie.
COUNSEL-.NOw, Mrs. Reicnart, was your uncle
given to intoxicating drinks before he dleds,
WITNESS decldedy)-"NO, SIR"
COUNsEL-"Dd ne drinkf'
WITNEss-"lIe drank as every gentleman shoud.n
CONSTELLATION often was that ~
:, WITNESS lbowing)-"Whenever ne felt Ike 1t"
[Laughter.l
CoUNsEI-"How often was that?u
WITNESS blowing again)-"lmposslble for me to
say.n
In her further crOssexamination the witness said
that drinks were given to her uncle on the day lie
died, but she could not tell how often. she Indig.
nantly denied that she ever either directly or ind
recty, asked her uncle to leave her money She
said the VIII which was handed to her was not the
same the copy OF the Will she had. Her brothers.
name was where her sons was. Sne confessed that
her uncles signature TO the Will was only scrawl
but the doctor told her that didn't matter long as
witnesses were present.
This concluded the cross-examinaton, and the
case was adjourned TO Thursday next, at twelve
O'Clock.