New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-02
SHE ALLEGES FRAUD.
AN OLD WOMAN SUES FOR RECOVERY OF
VALUABLE PROPERTY on THE
GROUND OF TRICKERY.

Vice-Chancellor Stevens sat In the Chancery
Chambers in Jersey City yesterday for the first
time The first case called that Of Maria ID.
Knack against ex-Assemblyman James Usher and
Annie Usher, his wife. set aside conveyance OF
property Bergenlne-ave. and Humbodt-st.. town
Of Union, valued at $4,000. Mrs. Knack alleges
that the conveyance was secured under false pre-
fences. This Is stoutly denied by the defendants.
Annie Usher Is the daughter OF DR.. Herman Abr
berg who died in 1866. when she was four years Old
lie was a friend of the knacks, who were Children
and they took Annie to their home and raised her
as their own. but never formally adopted her
Charles Knack the husband of the plaintiff. died
on September 49, 1851, leaving all his property to
his wife. Annie. at that time, contemplated matr-
mony and asked Mrs. Knack for share Of the
property Mrs Knack testified that she offered 10
leave all to Annie II she would remain single ana
continue to live with her until her death, which
could be long distant.
Mrs. Knack averred that Annie and Usher IN
duced her TO visit the office of the late Michael T.
Newbold who a prominent and reputable law
yer on April %. 1856, and she signed what she sup
posed was will. and subsequently signed three
other papers which she supposed were amendments
to the will. She does not understand Enghsh snu
she declared that she did not know what she was
signing. The paper was signed In the presence OF
Frederick Frambach a well-known lawyer Annie
and Usher were married November g. 1856. few
nephew informed her that he had noticed among
the conveyances published in county paper that
she had conveyed her property TO Annie Tor the
sum of ST. and Annie had transferred 1t to her
husband. Mrs Knack deried the transfer ana
summoned Annie, who also denied the TRANSACTION
She thought no more of the matter, she said, until
few months ago when she desired TO sell portion
of her property. When the title was searched she
found that she did not own the property, ana tnat
in 1855 and four deeds had been recorded, snow
ing she had conveyed all interest In the property
to Annie Ahrberg. known as knack. she theh con-
suited a lawyer and began the action 10 nave 'he
conveyances nuied on the ground Of fraud
The plaintiff Is extremely feeble. and her memory
is defective The Ushors declare that II was the
intention of Annie's foster-father 10 leave an ms
property to her, giving his wife life interest ne
did not VIII. however. and after MS dehth
the widow, in accordance with her husbani
wishes desired to make will with Annie as her
sole heir To avoid a contest the viii. Isher
suggested that she sign a conveyance 10 ANNE,
stimulating that the foster mother should retalh
possessioh during her life. The old woman. they
say assenied to this plan. and signed the convey
ance. knowing exactly what the document was as
II was thoroughly explained n her. They declare
that the old lady lived with them for eight years,
bur she Is In her dotage and has been lnnu'hced
by bad advisers. -, ,
An old interrupted the proceedings seNeiai
times Yesterday by insisting on conVersing win
Mrs Knack while she testifying. II IL sali
that he coniemplates marrying her, ana susseSted
the proceedings to recover possession OF AeF prop
Counsellor Frambach will testify that he ex-
nlainel I'm German TO Mrs. Knack the contents Oh
the four conveyances che signed.