The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-02-17
MRS. FOCHT CO[[APSES
Judge Hudspeth's Cross
Questioning Too Much for
the Alleged Widow.

The continuation of the cross-examina-
ton of Mrs. Carrie Buddington. VINO
claims to be the widow of George Focht,
the wealthy HobolSen iron manufacturer,
and is suing for her dover rights in
Focht's estate, was continued yesterday
afternoon before Ex-Governor Werts as
Special Master, and was replete with sem
sational Incidents AS the proceedings
advanced and ex-Judge Hudspeth Piled
Mrs. Focht or Buddington with search
ing questions, the woman became mighty
excited and nervous and she complained
to her counsel that the continual ques-
tioning of Judge Hudspeth made her
faint At one time she became so i'll
that her niece Miss Jennie Reeves, took
her from the room. She soon revived and
returned to the ordeal of cross-examlna-
ton. While testifying Mrs. Focnt said
that after her common law marriage to
Focht his children visited them at their
summer home at Cottage City, Mass, and
treated her as though she was mem
ber of the family.
ION one OCCASION she said, while
Charles Focht, wife and children, Louisa
Pipher and Amelia Wenzel, married
daughters of Mr.. Focht, and their chill
dren, were visiting us, we had family
group photographed. I have one OF those
photographs and will produce it as soon
as 1 can find it Mr.. Focht had the pic
ture taken and he gave each one in the
group a copy of the photograph
Ex-Judge Hoffman who appeared as
counsel for Mrs. Focht, produced a deed
signed by George F'ocht and Carrie Focht
and acknowledged before e. D. Eidrioge,
Justice of the peace, of Cottage CITY. Inls
Mrs. Focht said conveyed piece OF prop
erty which belonged to her and the pro-
ceeds were taken by FoFcht TO pulio
houses, which her husband intended
should be hers, but which were taken by
his executors.
Continuing, she said that Focht fre-
quently gave her jewelry after the al
legged marriage, and that Focht afterWard
told her that he proposed to give her the
same share of his property when ne dleo
as he gave to his sons.
Judge Hoffman produced the last will OF
George Focht and read the third section
as follows:-
II give to my friend, Mrs. Carrie Bud
dington, all my household furniture, wear
ing apparel and jewelry, 500 IN cash. an
annuity of $lo0 per month, to be paid by
my executors during her life, and the use
of the fourth floor at 102 Adams street,
during her life, or as long as she remains
a widow, to be accepted Iby her in lieu OF
dover or any other claim that she may
have by law in my estate"
He called. particular attention to the
later part of the clause and said that the
reference to dover plainly showed that
Focht acknowledged that the woman was
his wife.
Judge Hudspetf1 again took the witness
in hand, and she acknowledged that she
had bought the Cottage City property
sold by the deed produced by her counsel
with money obtained from Mr.. Focht.
She said she did not know the contents OF
the will until after it was read
do you remember conversation with
Mr.. Schalscha about the will after Mr.
Focht's death and before the will was
read?' asked Mr.. Hudspeth.
"I had talk in February with Mr..
Schalscha about the provisions Of the
new will which was proposed. We dis
cussed the former will"
..Did you say then to Mr. Schalscha
that you knew what the will provided
for your
mo, I didn't know what was in the
Will"
"Didn't you ask Mr.. schalscha why
you were called a friend in the wilf?"
..Yes, but that was after the will was
read
1t was at this point that Mrs. Focht be-
came ill and the case went over to next
Friday