New-York tribune., 1912-02-22
NEGRO MAID GOT CHECKS
Bankers Statements About Them
Figure in Hughes Will Case.
'TESTATRIX HAD DELUSl0NS'
She Received $1,000,000 from
Her Husband, D. M. Hughes,
Who Built I'd Ave. Line.

A negro maid. referred to as Martha
Houck figured prominently in the deposi-
tions of several Washington bankers ana
lawyers filed yesterday I'm the supreme
Court to be used in the trial over the Will
OF Mrs. Louise Beauchamp Hughes widow
Of David NJ. Hughes who built the Second
avenue surface railway. He left an estate
valued at more than Sl,0O0O0.
Some Of these dispositions said the bank
ers refused to honor checks drawn by Mrs.
Hughes TO the order OF the negro maid,
end that the bankers believed Mrs. Hughes
to be incompetent. Mrs. Hughes had as
sured the bankers the checks were good,
and that they must be honored. The depo-
sitions also told about the disappearance
Of a valuable collection Of jewels belong
ing 10 Mrs. Hughes. Joseph J. Darlington.
Mrs Hughes's lawyer In Washington qnoteh
her as saying that members OF her house
mold were trying to poison her food. sew
eral other instances of her cccentrlciues
were set forth In the depcsitions.
Mrs. Hughes made three wills. The Will
offered for probate was made In 1907. and
the court proceeding will determine
whether she was capable Of making the
instrument.
John Joy Edison. president OF the Wash
ington Loan and Trust Company. told oi
1900 check presented by the negro maid.
He and other officials of the company
doubted it's regularity. and he refused TO
honor IL. Then Mrs. Hughes appeared IN
nerson at the office Of the company and
insisted that the check be paid. Mr. Edison
said he was sure she did not know what
she was doing. and was not capable OF
transacting any business. and that she
could furnish no reason for the check.
James w. whelpley. treasurer OF the
American Security Company. or WashlnB-
ton. said the woman described as Martina
Houck had collected several sums from me
account OF Mrs. Hughes. When the negress
presented a check for 5000 payment was
refused because of the unusual circum-
stances. Mrs Hughes went 10 the com
uany's Offices and protested against me
non-paynent of the check, whereupon shs
was asked to transfer her account to an
other institution. She took her money 10
the Riggs National Bank
James NJ Johnston, formerly vice-presl-
dent Of the Riggs National Bank SAID
check for $1,000 was presented whlch
his hank refused 10 honor. Another bank
official told about check for $4,000 Mrs
Hughes gave TO a man for services rem
dered. A similar check for the same ser
vices had been paid. and the second check
was not honored.
Mr.. Darlington said the negro woman
referred TO by the bankers was Martina
Houck He said Mrs. Hughes suffered
mental disturbance. and that her delusions
caused her to suspect all her friends.
One mystery that had never been
cleared UP, the lawyer continued. was the
disappearance OF Mrs Hughes's collection
of diamonds which she made in Europe.
Mrs. Hughes gave a number of valuable
curios to Georgetown University. and
later denied that she had done so and de-
| manded their return While abroad bir.
and Mrs. Hughes enjoyed the friendship OF
King Humbert and Queen Msrgherita Of
Italy.