New-York tribune., 1880-01-07
coySPIRING TO APPEAR AS A WLDOW.

TESTIMONY ~ THE LEWIS WILL CAsE-UNPLEASANT
STATEMENTS FOR THE CLAIMANT TO HEAR
The LAWYERS interested in the contest ever the
fortune of Joseph L. Lewis, who left Sl,OOoOoo
toward the payment of the National debt, held an
other hearing before Master III Chancery, at jersey
City. Yesterday John r. Dos PassOs. of this city,
who testified last Saturday in reference to the alleged
attempt made by the woman who claims to be the
widow of Lewis to blaclImaI Paymaster Read, OF the
limited States Navy. was cross-examIned by Coun-
seIlor Richards on behalf of Mrs. Lewis HIS testi-
ii""S "a Rfter nv first interview with Mrs. Ham
mond the woman who says she is the WIDOW
of Mr. Lewis, employed tive detectives
to watch her, and they traced her to sew
eral pawnshops, restaurants and other places
| do not think they obtained any information III
reference to her previous history Her scheme IN
regard TO Mr. Read was palpable that concluded
that it useless to spend any more time OF money
ON the matter. Mr.. Read told me that when he hiSt
met her she represented herself as Miss Holorook
He said he had met her casually IN washington, ana
that he had called upon her at the Coleman House.
"Mr Read has attended some OF the hearings IN
this case and has sat within three feet or Mrs'
Lewis He told me he had been Intimate with her,
and regarded her as an immoral woman VINO was
endeavOring to levy bIackmail. | had talk with
A. Oakley Hall that resulted IN the discontlnuances
of the suit for divorce brought against the woman
Miss Helen Florence. a detective. was sworn and
testified as follows: -
Il have met the woman who calls herself Mrs.
Lewis several times. met her ut No. ii ST. Mark s.
place, New-York., In March; 1877 saw her in m the
Office of G. +. Schmidt, at No. lS1 IPearl-st; Mr.
Schmidt introduced her as. Miss jennie aars
before | met her she answered matri-
monial advertisement which he inserted In paper,
and that they hal been fast friends since. Mr:
Schmidt and left the Office together. lie SAID
this woman had never been married. In Aprll,
1877 met Mr. Schmidt at his rooms at No. II 81
Marks-place. The woman who then claimed TO be
Miss Hastings was in his room when called ard she
onened the door for me. She told Mr.. Schmidt that
wanted TO see him. and he came out of the room. lie
said she had come TO talk with him about the Lewis
will | saw her i'll August and September. 1873,
at Mrs Russelps boarding-h house, where occupied
tbe back parlor. | overheard conversation be-
charged Mrs Russell with having written damae-
ing letter 10 Counsellor Russell. In reply Mrs:
Russell sald 'YOu know what you owe me, and
II YOU do not pay me | will expose the fraud (;
il ia all a conspiracy, and no one KNOWS
II better than you do MISS Hastings SAID IL you
will he calm about ii ] will pay you all In few
days.' to which Mrs. Russell answered. You would
mt me in the street while | harbOr you and your
fellow conspirators you are no more MIS- LcWls
l. than / am! After Miss Hastings had gone
ont / asked Mrs. Russell If 1t was posi-
ble that Miss Hastings had never been
the wife of MIR. Lewis, aud she said No, she
never saw him, and witnesses have been taken
| from my house to swear IN this case making my
| house convenience for the consplTators.
| ON her cross-examnation Miss Florence ac
| knowledged that Detective Lowell who has been
engaged on the side of the Government, had Loaned
| her money and she refused to give the name OF he
| father and mother. The hearing Will be resumed
| tod