The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-09-13
ACCUSE The DOCTOR.
Will Contestants Claim Gaedeke
Influenced Mrs. Kugler
Patients Request Drawn Up Under
Strange Circumstances.
Made Him the Beneficiary, as Did
His Fiancee, who Died.

The first step in one Of the most in
teresting will contests that have come
before the Surrogate's Court in a long
time was taken this morning before
Surrogate Arnold. The contest is over
the will of the late Mrs. Kunlgunda
III glcr. who died on April 10 last.
1t is brought by Mrs. Walpurga Not
ter, sister of the deceased; her hus-
band, Charles hotter; Walpurga Notter,
their daughter and Johanna Stang. an
other sister Of the deceased.
During her last illness Mrs. Kugler
was attended by DR.. J. q. l.. Gaedeke,
OF $50 Second avenue, and after her
death he produced will in which she
to him the greater part of her property.
The contestants allege that Mrs. kug-
Ter was unduly influenced by Or.
Gaedeke. and they also allege that this
Is not the first time that the physician
has acted III the same way and inherited
the bulk of the estate of IA patient.
Among the witnesses that the contest
ants rely upon II establish their claims
Will be relatives of the late Miss Eliza
beth $. koetter. who died March %, 1893
and after whose death Or. GaedeS pro-
duced a WIZ, In which he was named as
executor and was also the chief bene-
ficiary In each case the relatives of the
makers Of the wills were cut off with
but few dollars.
the proceeds of life insurance. policy
on her husband $ life, amounting to
about 5000. Mr.. Kugler died on Jan, T.
1893. and Mrs. Kugler went to live with
her sister, Mrs Notter.
Mrs. Notter was then living in Jersey
City. She alleges that Dr. Gaedeke was
constantly N writing to Mrs Mrs. k1 5 to
she did so. taking rooms the doctor had
secured for her After that, II is al
legged Mrs. Kugler ceased communica-
Hon until hnp p.alg rh. NtsllF a
nothing of her death until the produc-
ton Of the will by DR.. Gaedeke.
Mrs; Kugler's relatives then heard Of
DR.. Gaedeke's similar experience with
Miss Koetter. and decided to contest
the will.
Miss Elizabeth s. Koetter was an or
phan. Her estate consisted chiefly of
the proceeds of "A judgment Miss Koetter
secured against the IL" road for per-
sonal injuries Miss Koetter's attending
physician was DR.. Gaedeke. She had
been adopted by the Koetters and had
assumed their name
According to the allegations, Dr.
Gaedeke seemed to have, the most
remarkable influence over his patient
she was living too close to the river,
md finally induced her to take a voy-
.ee to Bermuda. Her adopted parents
%ere they say say much sqrprsed to
i9ctor had accompanied her.
They did not return together. DR..
Gaedeke preceded her by a week. After
their return. 1t IL alleged, DR.. Gaedeke
Jecame engaged to marry Miss Koetter,
who. 1t is alleged. continued to grow
weaker, although DR.. Gaedeke was con-
tinually telling her she was growing bet
ter. She finally died and DR.. Gaedeke
reduced will which left him the bulk
of the estate.
The Inst witness called to-day was
Jacob Sharll, one of the witnesses of the
will. He testified that he went to Mrs.
kugler's home on the night the Will
was made, at about s o'clock. He waited
until between II and Il o'clock when DIR.
Gaedeke arrived.
The witness said DR.. Daedeke went
nto Mrs. kugler's room and closed the
door between that and the room in
which he sat Before the door was
closed he saw the doctor getting writing
materials ready. He knew nothing of
what passed between Mrs. Kugler and
the doctor until he was called into the
room to witness the signature.
Mrs kuSler was propped up In bed
with pillows. witness said; The doctor
handed her IA pen and tod her to sign
he paper. After she had done so the
witnesses signed. The will was not read
TO Mrs. Kugler in his presence.
Mrs. Johanna SteChl. the other wilt
ness TO the will. was the next witness.
She corrohorated the former witness in
the main.
The taking OF further testimony was
adjourned until next Thursday.
DR.. Gaedeke clai inns he can disprove all
the charges brought against him.