The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-09-13
ACCUSE The DOCTOR.
Serious Charges Against Gaedeke
in a Will Contest.
Patients Request Drawn Up Under
Strange Circumstances.
Made Him the Beneficiary, as Did
His Fianceo, who Died.

The first step in one OF the most in
teresting will contests that have come
before the Surrogate's Court in long
time was taken this morning before
Surrogate Arnold. The contest II over
the will of the late Mrs. Kunigunda
KI gler, who died on April 10 last.
1t is brought by Mrs. Walpurga Not
ter, IA sitter of the deceased. her hus-
band Charles Notter Walpurga hotter
their daughter. and Johanna Stang, an
other sister OF the deceased.
During her last illness Mrs. Kugler
was attended by Or. j. q, l.. Gaede ke
of 800 Second avenue. and after her
death he produced II will in which she
had made him her executor and devised
to him the greater part OF her property.
The contestants ailege that Mrs. Kug-
Ter was @nduly influenced by Dr.
Gaedeke. and they also allege that this
is not the first time that the physician
has acted in the same way and inherited
the bulk OF the estate OF a patient.
Among the witnesses that the contest
| ants rely upon u establish their claims
beth s Koetter. who died March %, 1893
and after whose death Or. Gaedeke pro
duced a viii! in which he was named as
executor and was also the chief bene-
hCiary. In each case the relatives OF the
| makers Of the wills were cut off with
| but a few dollars.
The bulk of Mrs. Kuglers estate was
the proceeds Of a he Ne Insurance policy
about 5000. MI. kugler died or Jan, I
1893, and Mrs. Kugler went to live with
her sister. Mrs Notter.
| Mrs. Notter was then living in Jersey
City. She alleges that DIR. Gaedeke was
constantly writing to Mrs. Kugler Il
return to New York to live. and finally
secured for her. After that, it Is al
legged. Mrs. Kugler ceased communication
with her relatives, who ascertained o
death, first notification of which was thu
production of the viii.
Mrs Kugler's relatives then heard o.
| DIR. Godeke's similar experience will
Miss Koetter, and decided to contes
Miss Elizabeth s. Koetter was an or.
phan. Her estate consisted chiefly OF
the proceeds OF II judgment Miss KoetteI
secured against the ~" road for per
sonal injuries. Miss Koetter's attending
physician was DR.. Goedeke. She haC
been adopted by the Koetters and haC
assumed their name.
According to the alterations, DR.
| Goedeke seemed to have the mos
remarkable influence over his patient
1t alleged that he began by telling hel
she was living too close to the river
age to Bermuda. Her adopted parent
learn, after she had sailed. that thu
doctor had accompanied her.
Gaedeke preceded her by a week; Ate
their return, 1t Is alleged. Or. Gaedek
became engaged to marry Miss koetler
who It Is alleged. continued to grow
weaker. although DR.. Gaedeke was con
ter. She finally died, and Br. Gaedek
produced win which left hi mthe bull
of the estate.
The first witness called to-day wa
Jacob Sharll, one OF the witnesses OF tn
, will. He testified that he went to Mrs
Kugler's home on the night the wi
was made. at about 8 o'clock. He waite
until between II and II o'clock. when ID
Gaedeke arrived.
The witness said DIR. Goedeke wen
into Mrs. Kuglar's room and closed tn
door between that and the room Il
which he sat Before the door wa
closed he saw the doctor getting writin
materials ready. He knew nothing O
what passed between Mrs. Kugler an
the doctor until he was called into tn
room to witness the signature.
Mrs. Kugler was propped up In be
with pillows. witness said. The doCto
handed her a pen and told her to sig
the paper. After she had done so tn
witnesses signed. The will was not rea
to Mrs. Kugler in his presence.
Mrs. Johanna Stechl. the other vii
ness to the will. was the next witness
She corroborated the former witness
the main.
; The taking of further testimony wa
adjourned until next Thursday.
DIR. Goedke claims he can disprove a
the charges brought against him.