The San Francisco call., 1896-10-15
Why Thomas Fl. Quackenbush
Brings Suit While Yet in
the Flesh.
NOT MARRIED TO THE WIDOW
Says His Only Heir Is His Daughter
The Principals Well Con.
Eected.


]. Pringle at the City Hall yesterday. The
complaint was brought by Millionaire
Thomas II. Quackenbush as principal,
and it sets forth that Mrs. Nancy A. Alb
bott. widow OF this City, claims that
she has two contracts of marriage with
him, that he had never made such con-
tracts, and that he desires to fight them
in his lifetime instead of leaving his right
full heir, Mrs Esther E. Swartfguer, his
daughter. to do so after his death.
Mr.. Quackenbush is now 70 years old
and has been forty-four years widower.
He is California pioneer of 1849 and is
widely known. When he came here he
had already considerable means. He was
a good business man and therefore stead
lily and rapidly increased his wealth. A
large share of it was invested in real
estate. His home is with his daughter at
eli Webster street.
Mrs Abbott is a widow, whose husband
died several years ago, and is the mother
of Allen II. Abbott, assistant ticket agent
of the Southern Pacific Company at 613
Market street. Two of the sons-William
and George Abbott-are we'll known young
men here. They are all well connected.
caused by the suit. Occurring, as it has,
after the struggle began for the Fair mil
lions, and on apparently somewhat SINH
lar lines, except that Mr.. Quacken bush
has brought the suit, it has aroused much
comment.
The millionaire sets forth that the cir
culation of the story of the marriage con-
tracted is evidently with the view of get
ting portion of his estate. He denies in
emphatic terms that Mrs. Abbott is en-
titled to any OF it.
The suit is filed therefore in order to
compel Mrs. Abbott to produce her alleged
contracts. He wants them declared false
in court, and while yet in the flesh will
fight them. He declares that he is not
now and never has been the lady's hus-
band.
This is said to be almost an isolated case
OF a man bringing suit in his lifetime to
quash such contracts or alleged contracts.
The old gentleman feels that alive he will
stand good show to get rid of them, but
after his death it might be difficult 10
prove they were fraudulent.
Mr.. Quackenbush years ago retired from
active business. He had invested from
time to tins in real property which
steadily increased in value, and the con-
sequence is that he has been able to take
life easily.
Mr.. Quackenbush, when seen at his
W
confirmation of the statements made in
the complaint filed in the County Clerk S
office.
II want everybody to understand that l
am not married man" said he. 81 have
been single for nearly A years. Mrs. Alb
bott has told a number of people that she
is my wife, and that she holds paper
which proves her statement. There is no
truth in it at all.
"I had a room at her house several
years ago, when she lived at Washington
and Powell streets, and while | was living
there l got sick and had to take my meals
there, but l never told her I would marry
her and never wanted to marry her. Why,
never even had such an idea. L paid her
for everything she did for me and for my
room and meals.
my daughter and my son-in-law live
here with me, and my daughter is not
friendly with Mrs. Abbott. They are
acquainted, that is all. They became
known to one another while l was sick,
when my daughter visited me at Mrs.
Abbott's house.
1T was during that sickness that Mrs.
Abbott obtained my signature to any
paper she may have, if she has any. II
was necessary for me to have some money
and ! signed an order for some. Then
Allie, Mrs. Abbott son, came to me and
told me he had lost the order and signed
was too sick. Those are the only papers
l remember to have signed that Mrs
ABBOTT could have.
Lately I have been told by a Mrs. Tate
and several other friends that Mrs. Abbott
is only waiting for me to die to step in and
get my money. l am a man of consider
able property, and l intend TO dispose o
it as / see fit. No stranger shall get it,
was told that Allie has been making re-
marks that when l die he will not have tC
work any more, because he has a paper
that will make HIM rich. 1t won't
though, for 1 have told MIR. Pringle to gc
ahead and make that woman bring hel
pretended contracts into court, and W,
will see how much her son will get.
II do not intend to allow this matter tt
drop and then have them slip in when
am dead and cannot defend myself anC
steal the property from my own flesh ant
blood.
"You can just say" added the old gen
tleman, ''that If | am married man
want to find it out"
Mrs. Abbott is said to live on Ellis stree
near Hyde, but inquiry in that neighbor
hood last night failed to locate her.