The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-07-20
HEMMING LEFT ALL
TO HIS SON in WILL
Wife Is Referred to as the
ALLEGED Widow in the
Petition.
DIVORCE PLAN DENIED
She Asserts That She Con-
templated No Action
Against Husband.
DESCRIBES THE KILLING
Caretakcr Continued Firing
While She Leaned Over Body,
Mrs. Hemming Says.

~4fC W All VI AAesAiy ". AActhAhhiS, VIM
was shot to death on the porch of his
wife's home on Duck Island, near
Northport, L. l., was filed for probate
yesterday. Mrs. Hemming. referred
to In the accompanying petition as
''the alleged widow" is not mentioned
In the document but as the will was
drawn up on February 2S. 1920, she is
entitled to her dover right. The en-
tire estate, with the exception Of three
requests of $500 each, Is left to the
ming of 80 West Eighty-sixth street.
Last night Mrs. Hemming denied
earlier reports that she had taken
steps to obtain a limited divorce, a
separation or an annulment. She said
she never entertained any thought Of
beginning an action against him.
Mrs. Hemming's story OF her brief life
as the wife of the broker was heard last
night when the widow received re-
porters for the first time since her hus-
bands death and the suicide of his
slayer. She sat in her music room
dressed in a Canton crepe black gown.
trimmed with black braid, and large
black picture hat from which trailed a
heavy black VEIL Her thick snow white
hair contrasted with the youthfulness
of her face and figure. She wors
necklace of pearls, a twin diamond ring
set in platinum and a wedding ring.
Mrs. Hemming consented to answer
questions. She was asked why she mar
ried Mr.. Hemming.
II married him because he had not
treated my sister. his wife. properly.
When she died he acted as though his
soul was scared. His heart kept telling
him. SO he said, to make amends. He
told me he wanted to redeem his soul.
] felt sorry for him and l married him.
It was mistake. He was brutal. He
became q dictator. His insult TO my
little Helen caused Frank Eberhardt to
brood until. driven practically insane he
killed him. I believe that is the reason
why Frank killed himself
why did you go to New York on
Thursday"
II went there TO attend to some per-
sonal Matters
No Chance for Reconciliation.
How did Mr.. Hemming happen to
aneet your
''Dr. Donahue told him would be In
New York. Mr.. Hemming had gone to
see the doctor in an effort to effect a
reconciliation between us. The doctor
It'd him he thought a reconciliation i'm
possible and added that / was In Man
haitian"
why did you get into Mr.. Hemmings
automobilc?"
Mr.. Hemming was always violent
and boisterous. He was never quiet
when excited ! feared a scene. so
went with him. We drove to his home
on West Eighty-sixth street"
How long did you remain there?"
About thrce-quarters of an hour.
'phoned my home to tell Helen where |
was. Mr.. Hemning was not angry.
Neither was ]. but / told him We could
not become reconciled. When an
nounced my intention OF returning here
to Duck Island Mr.. Hemming said he
was going to accompany me. 1 pleaded
. with him not to do so. His son Joined
my plea"
is II true you warned him he would
be killed."
Absolutely no. I never for a mo-
ment thought his life was In danger"
why did you allow your husband to
bring you home when you knew Frank
Eberhardt had a revolver
Il never knew Frank had revolt
yer. / did not know he intended to kill
Mr.. Hemming. l never told Mr.. Hem
ming that Frank was going to kill him"
How Eberhardt Killed Hemming.
why didn't you try to stop the shoot
ing?'
ut was dark. 7 did not see the gun.
When the first shot was fred l bent
over my husbands body. 1 wonder now
why the bullets did not strike me, for
Frank fired the next two shots while
was still bending over Mr. Hemming.
what could | do? l was unstrung and
paralyzed. When recovered somewhat
rushed In TO call DR.. Donahue.
Frank stopped Helen and said. Good
by. little girl He called out to me,
Take good care of this child. Goodby.
Mrs. Hemmlng.'
A tear dropped down her cheek. but
Mrs. Hemmlng wiped IL quickly away
with a touch OF hor finger and con-
tinued
The butler went after Frank, but
Frank stopped him like this (motioning
with her finger as though pointing
revolver). and said: Go back A few
: seconds latcr we heard shot"
When asked why she had not made
complete statement before. Mrs. Hem
ming said:
IL would have spoken. wanted to.
I could scarcely contain mysel, when
heard what the Sheriff had said.
wanted TO save my little girl. Helen.
have not read the papers and did not
want my child now or at some future
date 10 pick On newspaper and read
the horrible story and see my picture
IN the paper or TO have some one tell
her some day in the future all OF the
horrible Incidents. There Is nothing
wouldn't do for my child, so I held
my peace"
Sought to Halt Divorce.