The San Francisco call., 1909-04-22
WILL ATTACKED AS
DUE ETOCONSP|RACY
President of Berkeley Piano
Club Accused of Influencing
George William Fletcher
Brother OF Testator Named as
involved in Plot by Sister
of Dead Widow

OAKLAND, April 2I-Adelipe Maud
- Mellendorn. pianist and teacher Of nj
aho' president OF the Berkeley piano
eluo- whose accomplishments have won
ior her the entire into the most ex-
-'iisiTe circles Of the college town has
oeen- accused OF conspiracy to secure
ief herself portion Of the estate of
George William Fletcher. former as
sistant general freight agent for the
= Southern Pacific.
Fletcher died December Il. 1905. Rv
viii, dated November i. 1908 he
save so shares of Newark land and
quarry stocks TO his brother. Artimus
= zIetcher, and the same number to Mrs.
roman OF San Rafael. After the pay
ment Of $4,000 to Miss WeIIendorff. a
-. iund was created Of the residue from
winch $3.50 a month was TO be paid 10
MS Fletcher during her life. After
her death the residue was 10 be di-
Nlaed between Miss WeIendork and
Artimus Fletcher.
BROTHER INVOLVED IN CASE
Five days after the death of George
" illiam Fletcher his widow. Mrs. Anna
NJ tlefcher, also passed away, and ii is
SAID that her death was hastened by
tne worry and anxiety caused By her
husbands mind having been turned
against her by THE brother and Miss
Weliendorh, who was accused OF hav-
ing influenced the testator against his
wife and procured the signature to the
VIII in their own favor
Ihis is alleged in the suit of a sis
= ter OF Mrs. Fletcher. Mrs. Selma Pat
terson, filed today. by which she seeks
- 20 set aside the will She also alleges
that the Fletcher estate. which amount
-ed 10 $4,000, was community property
p: which, upon Fletcher's death, belonged
TO his wife and her heirs.
ACQUAINTED 20 YEARS
Mrs. Patterson. the contestant. al
legged that the acquaintance of the
fletchers and Miss Wellendorff began
20 years ago, when she was engaged
10 instruct their daughter, Martha,
The little girl died five years later. but
the contestant alleges that friendship
continued until Miss Wellenderff as
sumed actual management of the
Fletcher household, collected his salary
and administered his affairs.
ArtimUs Fletcher and Miss WeIlen-
dorf are accused of having Influenced
Fletcher against his relatives when his
mind was being wea kened by disease
and age. II is said that he suffered
for many years from Bright's disease
could not have been in sound mind
when his signature was attached to the
Will Judge ogden set the date Of
the contest for May H.
MERELY FRIEND OF FAMILY
II can not understand why 1 have
been dragged into this matter" said
Miss Wellcndorn at her home 1901
Walnut street. Berkeley. q was mere
ly friend OF the family. and I gave
the family the use of my house be-
use they wished to move to Berke-
ley and were unable 10 find a suitable
residence / have been q friend of
the family for years, and frequently
have visited them. I did nothing to
compromise myself. and why I should
be dragged into this case in such a
manner I can not understand.
Mr. Fletcher was i'll in my home
from January TO December of last year,
when he died. Mrs. Fletcher was with
him most Of the time. except when
have always been friendly with her
. and regarded her as much my friend
as ] did Mr.. Fletcher.
WOMAN BELIEVED WEALTHY
Miss WeIlendorff is one Of the best
known musicians in Berkeley. Among
some of her associates in the piano
club are Mrs. Henry E. Huntington.
Mrs A. .. Beuschner, Mrs. Rufus p.
Jennings. Mrs Louis T. Hengstler. Miss
J&Eti Ratcljff. Mrs. Thomas Riekard,
Mrs. ". n. Smythe. Mrs. Douglas Keith.
Mrs. r. N Hughes, Mrs. T. T. Blake.
Mrs. r. b. Clapp, Mrs. L. J. lie Conte
and Mrs Leon J. Richardson.
Miss Weilendorif had just returned
= f,-oSfn a years tour of Europe when
Fletcher. took up his residence with
her. and she is said to be wealthy.