The New York herald., 1879-12-16
MISER LEWIS MILLION.


FURTHER TESTIMONY TO PROVE THE ALLEGED
WIDOWS CoSspIRAcY-AN ''IMPEErINESr
WITNESS
The examination of witnesses in the contest over
the will of the late Joseph L. Lewis. of Hobokens
who bequeathed his property, valued at over
$l.000o00. to the federal government. resumed
after weeks adjournment yesterday before Master
in Chancery Cornelius S. See. in Jersey City. Elijah
J. Cauldweu called to the stand for
examination by Judge Fullerton. who requested that
the other witnesses. Arnaux and Fleet who had
fessed perjury. be removed from the room. Cauld-
well then testified that he became acquainted with
the woman claiming to be Mrs. Lewis at No. ~
Beecker street. this city. then occupied by Mrs.
Russell; Marcus Sacia brought him there. and while
there he saw Frank Allison. Mrs. Russell and Mrs.
Lewis.
"You testified that Mrs. Lewis said she never saw
Joseph Lewis in her life?'
'She doesn't claim to have ever seen him." was
the reply.
"why did you change your testimony
because 1 thought it wrong to allow the con-
spiracy to go any further
"Ihen you confess that you committed perjury"
II said that my former testimony false"
THE MONEY DIVIDED.
Witness continued by saying that he irst knew Of
the conspiracy in January. 1873. when Marcus Sacia
arrauReIueut5
to break Lewis will; he next met Mrs. Lewis. and
learned from her that. il she successful. the
money was to be divided between Sacia Allison and
herself; witness agreed then toswear that he had
known her to be the widow OF the deceased and had
met her ut Lewis house; he had conversation with
lawyer in reference to the case. but eused to tell
what took place.
"why?" asked counsel.
"Because." answered the witness. II pledged my
word OF honor not to reveal it..
AS far Us he knew. witness continued. mono of the
the result OF u conspiracy; he declined to say
whether he had received money for changing his
testimony; he denied that he had testified, in his
previous testimony. that the signature of Justice
Fish to the alleged widows marriage certihcate was
asked witness to get certificate and he told her to
Saca who was taking care Of the entire case for
her; she offered to get witnesses sign it II he
cured the certificate. At this point witness and
counsel became engaged in an argument.
"For man who is deliberately coufesStng per.
jury. ;. said Judge Fullerton. Il think you are very
impertinent.'
II have as much right to be impertinent as you.
The witness then admitted the receipt Of money
vided 1t between Allison, Fleet ard himself; Mrs.
Lewis told witness that she had never seen Lewis,
sb not n be tsa she asond
know. as she was claiming to be Lewis wife; he
purchased ten blank certificates. three of which
were given to Mrs. Lewis. who placed them in the
sun, under u magnifying glass. for the purpose of
fading them; four of them gwen to her lawyer.
Mr.. Nichols; the forged Fleet certificate. which
was similar to the one presented by Mrs. Lewis.
flled in by man named Westbrooke: witness
signed the name of the witness. Clara Meredith.
and Arnaux signed the name OF the sexton; he had
money Tor Mr. Scott and spent 81 80; Scott
paid him SIS and told him he should not have spent
so much.
being refused money by Scott. remark. as you
passed out of the door. Don't the - old fool
know that can get plenty of money from the other
sidey"
"No, .irn H., answered the witness; II never said
He added that he had frequently borrowed money
from Detective Lowell He had received .
promise of money for changing his testimony.
''Then why did you do itY' asked counsel.
and her brother. as they w were dangerous gang to
be associated with. and was sick OF the whole bus
ness"
WHO Is JENNIE HoLBnooKE?
''Who 10 this Jennie Holbrooke?" asked counsel.
The witness replied with smile. "why. the
woman who claims to be Mrs. Lewis" He had seen
Didn't you testify last week that you hadn't
her IN year?" asked counsel.
II might have" replied the witness. "but meant
that hadn't had an interview with her. because
Counsel again asked II witness did not expect some
money for his testimony.
"No, sir. and he began counting his fingers.
"What are you counting your fingers forY asked
the yer
"I am trying to find out how many times I've
Mrs. Maria Fleet, Of No. CSC Hudson street. this
city. then testified that Frank Fleet her son:
between him and his wife, during which he tore up
his carriage certificate: his picked 1t aud
nanueO witness, VINO preserved until sne sur.
rendered 1t to Detective Lowell three weeks ago.
worn and patched certificate then shown wit
ness. and she identified it the one her had
torn.
The cross-examination of Cauldwell was resumed.
He testified that he had brought the woman repre-
senting herself rs Clara Meredith to Lawyer kussell
he allowed tho lawyer suppose that her name.
Upon being cross-exsmined by Mr.. Richards witt
said that he knew Justice Fish had married
Joseph Lewis to the alleged widow. because Justice
Fish was not in New Jersey on September IS. 1858.
the date of the alleged marriage. A paper shown
to the Witness which he said in his handwriting
1t proposition to Lawyer Nichols to produce
man who claimed to be able to prove that the will
purporting to have been made by Lewis
forgery. and who could prove the time and place
where the will was made. He admitted having given
Il to the lawyer about three months ago. He gave
the lawyer the mans name and address. He did not
know that Mrs. Lewis certificate bogus at first.
but he believed her bogus all the way through. The
hearing was then adjourned