The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-03
SUSPECTED OF POISONING.
Testimony Elected by the Coroner Regard
ing the Sudden Death of Mrs. Hughey.

The coroner began taking testimony, yester-
day, relative to the sudden death of Mrs. Tenn
perance Hughey, widow Of William Hughey.
once well-known citizen, and owner of consid-
cradle real estate in the neighborhood of Noble
and Louisiana streets. It has been matter OF
comment that the old lady was badly treated by
her son-in-law, James Wicks, and his wife, with
whom she lived. The will of William Hughey
gave her $3.50 in cash, absolutely, and a life
interest in the rest of the property. She was to
have all the rents arising from the real estate,
but this property she could not sell, or in any
manner reduce. After her death the estate was
to be equally divided among the children-Eliza
beth, wife of John M. Kemper; Amanda wife of
John Roach, and William Hughey. Oliver
johnson was named as executor. The will was
signed Sept 10, 1859, and probated Dec. IL, 1867.
A singular feature concerning this disposition
of the property is that it appears on the tax du-
plicate in neither one of the above names. or
that of William or Temperance Hughey The
latter, during her lfe had no power to sell. nor
have the heirs who were to succeed her. All the
real estate of which he died possessed has no
representative on the duplicates unless it is in
the names of other parties. How this occurs,
in face of the provisions of the will, is not ex-
planned Up to her death Mrs. Hughey retained
possession of the real estate under her life inter
est in it, and drew the rents therefrom.
1t is said that last Thursday morning an
attempt WAS made to force her to sign deed of
transfer. Her relatives deny that this was done,
but however this may be, several years ago the
name of William Hughey disappeared from the
tax duplicate. In that respect the identity of
ownership is apparently lost.
- The testimony, yesterday was given by Mrs.
Nancy Raymond, Mary Fogarty, Mrs Wisner
and Mrs. CRUDE. Mrs. Raymond lives at No.
FOG East Louisiana street. She last saw the
deceased alive Thursday evening, Oct 20. She
was sitting on the side of the bed, drinking tea
or coffee. The witness could not understand
what the old lady said, as she seemed to be very
drowsy Mrs. Raymond did not think there was
any probability of Mrs. Hughey dying that
night She did not hear of her death until the
next morning. The witness was a tenant of the
deceased, and paid her rent generally to Mrs.
Hughey, but sometimes her daughter, Mrs.
Wicks, would get it. Not long ago, Mrs.
Hughey asked her to pay the rent to her alone,
as she wanted the money to use in going to her
son. The witness had heard the sonin-law of
the deceased, James Wicks. curse the old lady
day last Mrs. Hughey came to her very much
excited and crying loudly. She said she was
afraid the Wicks would kill her, as James
had hit her on the head with
SplItoou anu, dropping IL, cauRnt neg Dy the arm
and drew knife, threatening to cut her. She
was afraid to go home, but after time Mrs.
Wicks came in and ordered the old lady to 60
home
Mary Fogarty testified to seeing the old lady
in very stupid condition Thursday evening
last.
Mary CRUDE gave similar evidence, and said
no doctor was summoned until she suggested it,
when Wicks went after DR.. Hendricks, who did
not come. but sent medicine. which Mrs. Hughey
would not take. DR.. Moore then came but it was
too late, as she was dying. Mrs. Wisner knew
nothing of her own knowledge concerning the
abuse of the old lady by the Wicks Mrs. Wicks
once told her that her mother owned the west
part of the property, but that the rest was in
her own Eame. She further told the witness
that the property could not be sold without the
old lady signing the deed.
The analysis of Mrs. Hughey's stomach has
not been completed. but yesterday Coroner
Stratford notified the chemist to look for NOR
phine as the evidence showed the probability of
her death from that poison.