The San Francisco call., 1898-01-30
ROMANCE 0F WMAN'S LIFE Deserted a Young Wife Two Score Years
 Ago.
Now She Is Here and Claims the Estate Of the Dead
 Man.
the Trestle Will Never Be Solved.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call.
sos RrOadWav. Januarv 2q

S0S BrOadWay January 29.
 When George Newman died he left an estate valued at about $2O,0OO, and he also left behind him a romance which Is gradually being unfolded before the Superior Court at Martinez. Newman for many years prior to his death was resident of Antioch, and was well known in both Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
 He engaged in several trades during his life, and accumulated his snug es- tate by thrift. He spoke very little of himself or his past, but occasionally enjoyed a hilarious time, and while on one of these sprees he met death in a mysterious manner. By the river bank at the edge of tidewater his corpse was found. The body was under the rail- road treStle, and whether he tumbled from the track or whether he was mur- dered and robbed may never be known but there is much to support the latter theory.
 At the time of his death Newman keys were found on the railroad track his pockets were rified, but his watch was not touched. One man was sus- pected of knowing how Newman might have died, and he has since been found and placed in the lunatic asylum.
 In addition to the tragedy and mys- tery of Newmans death, now comes a romance in his early life. It was al ways supposed that he had a wife liv- ing in Rhode Island and when the Pub lie Administrator took charge of his es- tate he found some letters from his wife, and she was sent for. A few days ago she arrived at Martinez, and at once claimed the right to administer the estate as the widow of the de- cfI h1 NnEz-F 1a ay0 married her over forty years ago when she was but Is years of age, and that three weeks after their marriage he de serted her and came to California. They kept up a casual correspondence until four years ago. and since that time only a few letters have passed between them.
 Tn all these forty years Newman sent her but trifing sums of money for her support, continually claiming poverty notwithstanding he was in very com- fortable' circumstances. Her last let ters were pitiful. pleading advancing age and feebleness, and are said tC have met with no response.
 The contestants claim that the wom- an is not Newman's wife at all. cousin of the deceased, who is a resi- dent of Stockton. is one of the contest ants, and declares that Newman's wife died four years ago, and that he can- not have a widow now living. The matter is in the Superior Court of Con- tra Costa County, where the conflict ing testimony will be strengthened out
 The man who was last seen with Newman on the night before his death Is named Griffiths. and has relatives ir this city. After Newman was found dead Gritfiths disappeared, and turned up in Fresno, where he has a wealthy brother in the real estate business. H, attempted to kill his brother with z knife, and was arrested. While under arrest he was brought from Fresno tC Antioch to testify at the inquest or Newman. The Coroner would prob ably have taken some action had it no been proved that Newman was peri odical lunatic, and had frequently beer in asylums. He was sent back to Ag news, was discharged about two week! ago as cured, and yesterday was rear rested at San Jose in a demented state of mind, walking around in the colo barefooted and with only half his clothes on.