The San Francisco call., 1896-11-14
SWEhRS SHE IS HIS
LEGAL SPOUSE
Mrs. Abbott Says She Was
Married to Thomas
Quackenbush.
Exhibits a Contract Which She
Contends Constitutes a
Legal Claim.
he PAID FOR HER HOUSE RENT
Opening of the Deposition Proceedings
Between the Aged Millionaire
and His Ex.Housekeeper.

Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Nancy A. Abbott's
deposition to be used in the proceedings inst
gated against her by Thomas QuackenDush tc
prove that he is not her contract husband as
she alleges was commenced before Notary
Public Milton s. Latham. The taking of the
deposition was not concluded, however.
Before it can be concluded the courts will be
called upon to decided several intricate points
of law. This done Mrs. Abbott or Quacken.
fore Notary Latham next Tuesday, and ii the
opposing attorneys can agree the deposition
will be com pleted on that date.
Mrs. Abbott was attended by her attorney,
Arthur Rodgers, ana Mr.. Quackenbush, who
was confined to his home through illness, was
represented by his counsel, E. J. Pringle.
Attorney Pringle fired the opening shot by
asking Mrs. Abbott when Mr.. Quackenbush
and herself began living in the same house, 16
Montgomery avenue. This> >question was clev-
erly parried and the attorney continued, "Who
did the work there?' The witness answered,
"I did my housework," and added that Mr..
QuacKenb bush supported her during their resi-
dence in the Montgomery-avenue dwelling.
In response to question Mrs. Abbott said
that Mr.. Quackenbush came to her house as a
lodger, but after the first month that unsatis-
factory relationship ceased. ''Instead of pay
ing rent for the room he occupied at first" the
witness continued, "he paid the rent of the
entire house."
This statement was accompanied by smile
"Do you claim to be married to Mr.. QuacKen-
bush?" said Attorney Pringle.
Mrs. Abbott glanced at her counsel as though
expecting an objection, but, as none was forth
coming, answered:
"Of course / claim to be married to him. I
was married to him. am married to him.
Several questions relating to the relation
ship and date OF marriage were then asked by
Mr.. Quackenbush's counsel, but owing to the
vigorous objections of Attorney Rodgers they
were left to be passed on by the courts.
"Haye you any writing from the plaintiff by
which you claim to be married to Mr.. Quacken-
bush?" was asked
f"I have" said the Witness and her counsel
exhi bited 1t. al wrote the contract" said
Mrs. Abbott, "but, OF course, this signature
was signed by himself objected to his liv-
ing in the house unless the ceremony, which
had been several times postponed, was per-
formed in some manner. He dictated the con-
tract. ass sted when it was necessary, and
wrote the document
Several questions of minor Importance were
answered, and then came the finale of the
days proceedings in the shape of question
considered irrelevant by the witness counsel
Cup TO the end of 1892 did you call yourself
a widow or q divorced woman?' asked Attor-
ney Pringle. Mrs. Abbott or Quackenbush
smiled and her counsel entered a strenuous
| objection.
"About anything which relates to this con-
| tract We are willing to have questions asked" I"
| he said. "But questions that do not directly
bear on this contract are irrelevant. intend
| soon to bring suit for 1naintenanee, however,
which viii open the door to all such in.
| quiries."
With this the taking of the deposition was
| concluded for the DAY, in order that contended
points might be presented 10 the courts fol
I settlement