The San Francisco call. [volume], June 26, 1896, Page 2, Image 2

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

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2
Mit, your honor, that the whole history of
this woman is not relevant here."
"We are questioning this lady on the
circumstances incident to this inquiry.
The questions are preliminary." said
Heggarty.
The court asked for and read the affi
davit upon which the subpena was based
and allowed the question.
The witness answered : "On the 22d day
of September, 1892."
"On that day you were married to James
G. Fair?" repeated Knight.
Foote objected, but the objection was
overruled.
"i'es," said the witness.
"Where?"
"1823 Sutter street."
"Who performed the ceremony?"
"It was a contract between ourselves."
"Who wrote the contract?"
"It was written by myself and subscribed
to by both of us. 1
"Who witnessed it ? "
"No one."
"After the contract was written and
signed did you then live with Mr. Fair as
his wife?"
Objected to b}' Mr. Foote.
"We wish to show the relationship be
tween these people, and these questions
are all directed to that end," said Mr.
Heggarty. "We submit that they are
proper preliminary questions."
"This lady is a witness of their own,"
said Foote. "They have no right to tiy to
impeach her. She is ready to produce all
the papers asked for in the subpena. Any
thing iunher is extraneous and improper.
They have no right to bring these wit
nesses here for the purpose of a fishing ex
cursion."
"Here is the wife of James G. Fair,"
said Knight in reply. "She is the cus
todian of the will of Senator Fair. Who
better than the wife has a right to such
custody? We canno: jump at this thing
in a minute. We have asked nothing that
any one should blusb at. There is no
man in this room who would hesitate to
say when be was married, by whom,
where, how many children were born as a
result of the union, and all that. We
maintain that these are proper questions."
Mr. Foote still objected. "This is not a
question of what relation this Jady bore to
Fair; whether she was his wife or not.
There are four witnesses who have knowl
edge of facts which are material in the
matter before this court," said Mr. Foote,
"but none others. It looks as if we were
enacting a farce here, and you, Mr.
Knight, are the chief comedian. The
whole aim of Mr. Knight's questioning
seems to be to go imo the matter as to
whether this lady was Mr. Fair's wife.
Not a question has been asked but that is
directed at that point. Mrs. Craven has
in her possession certain documents which
we shall produce. And these docu
ments which tbe opposing counsel
are now trying to prove false are the
same papers that the gentlemen pro
nounced eenuine when submitted to them
some months ago. We Ehall produce all
the i apers in possession of the plaintiff,
but no others."
The court overruled the objection, and
Knight's question, "Did you then live
with Mr. Fair as his wife?" was repeated.
The witness, in a low voice that called
fora repetition, answered "Yes."'
"Where?" asked Knight.
'•Where should husband and wile lire
together?" interrupted Foote.
The witness said she did not under
stand, f
"You understand the relationship that
husband and wife hold to each other, do
you not?" a'ked Knight.
"Yes, I do," answered the witness.
"Where were you living?"
"At my home, at 1823 Sutter street."
"Did they know at the house— the others
who lived there— that you were married?"
"I do not know. "
"When did James G. Fair die?"
"December 28, 1594."
"Were you at his bedside?"
"1 was not."
"Did you know that he was sick? 1 '
"Yes."
"Why were you not present at the bed
side of the man you claimed as husband?"
After some hesitation the witness said:
"For reasons that I cannot readily ex
plain. 1 did not wish to be present."
"Did you live with him as his wife up to
the time of his death ? :
The witness said she did not understand
what was meant exactly by the question.
Knight said he did not know how he
could make it plainer. "Now," he said,
"did you ever live any where on God's
green earth with James G. Fair, publicly
as his wife? "
The court interfered and refused to
allow tbe question, because of its wording.
"It is profane," said his Honor.
"I thought if I allowed him to go he
would reach the limit himself," said
Foote.
Knight remodeled the question, still
using the word publicly.
"I don't know what you mean by the
word publicly," said the witness. "We
certainly didn't live out on the street." '
"Can you name any one person that you
ever told about this marriage?"
Upon Foote's objection the court said:
"This seems to have drifted into an in
quiry as to the marriage of Mrs. Fair. The
court used tne words 'Mrs. Fair.' "
"We are not conducting an examination
of the relations between this lady and
Senator Fair," said Foote. "It Is all very
well for Mr. Knight to talk of the sacred
ness of the marriage rslation, but that is
not the question before tbe court. There
are four witnesses who can testify in re
gard to the instruments under question
before this court, and only four. I submit
that Mr. Knight's questions are not pro
pounded in good iaitb, and that all the
facts he is attempting to bring out are
irrelevant."
Judge Slack, however, thought that in
asmuch as she was the purported cus
todian of the Fair will Mr. Knight's ques
tions were pertinent.
Knight, however, shifted bis position.
He ?aid :
• "I will leave this branch of the question
and enter into one to which there will be
no technical opposition." To the witness:
"Did Mr. Fair leave a will with you?"
The witness leaned forward and quietly
answered, "Several."
Knight was not astonished. He asked
with an unchanged tone of voice: "Have
you ever proffered auy of these wills for
probate?"
"Yes, I Have."
"Tell us how many wills "he did write
that you know of?"
"Seven."
"What became of them?"
"Some of them he took with him; some
of them be left with me. There was one
that was stolen," she said significantly.
••Now tell us, did Senator Fair ever leave
% a last will?"
"I don't understand what you mean by
a last will. If you ask me whether he
made a will dated September 24, 1894, I
say that he did and left it with me."
"Where was that?"
"At my rooms at 2007 California street.''
"Who were present?"
"Mrs. Haskin, JJn. Craven and James G.
Fair."
"Was Mrs. Fair present? "
"If you want to put it ao, yea."
"It was you wLo put it that way," said
Knight.
The stenographer raised the question as
to the exact wording of the answer.
"Mrs. Nettie Craven Fair will tell
you," said Knight.
Mrs. Craven complained to the court
as to Knight's repeating the name in the
manner he did and the court said he
would see that she was protected.
Knight explained that there was a Mrs.
Fair, a Miss Craven and a Mrs. Haskin in
this matter. The stenographer wanted to
be set right. As for himself he would
address the witness as Mrs. Fair, as she
testified she was Mrs. Fair.
Toe witness said the manner, not the
wording, was wnat she objected to.
Knight said he was behaving as politely
as he knew how; that he was not aware of
anything in his manner that should offend
the lady. He resumed:
"Did Senator Fair write the will in your
presence?"
"Yes, eir."
"How was it written— with lead pencil or
pen '!' '
"With both."
"What became of the documents?"
"I sent them East to my daughter at
New York about the first week in Janu
ary, 1895. That was after Mr. Fair's
death."
"Were you in Sacramento in January,
1895?"
*'I was, part of the time."
"To whom did you first make known that
James G. Fair had left a holographic
will?"
"In appearing before the Educational
Committee of the Assembly I mentioned
to Senator Earle, I think, that a wealthy
man had left $50,000 to the educational
fund, should an act be passed as we
wished. I did not mention a name."
"What did you send your husband's will
East for?"
"It was not generally known through
out the City that we bad a contract of
marriage, and the very fact of his death
suggested that it need not be known. I
did not want any notoriety."
"Wrs there anything in your relation
ship with Mr. Fair that you should be
ashamed of?"
"No. Mr. Fair did not want it for himself
on account of his children and known other
reasons. He did not want his children to
know until he could get his business in or
der so that he could leave the State for
good."
"Did you know of Mr. Fair's whereabouts
after your marriage?"
"Yes."
"Where was he?"
"At different places.' 1
"Did you ever receive a letter dated at
Yuma from him?"
"Yes."
"How were they addressed?"
"I can't remember."
"Were they addressed 'My Dear Wife?' "
"I couldn't say."
"What became of the letters from your
husband?"
"I sent them to lowa."
"Why did you do that?"
Mrs. Craven leaned forward in her chair
and, looking at Mr. Knight, said:
"I did it so that you folks couldn't steal
them."
The court said to the witness:
"You have called upon m» for my pro
tection from your questioner. I shall
have to request that you answer the ques
tions properly."
"Whom do you mean by 'you folks?"
asked Knight. "We would like to know."
The court interfered a^ain, saying the
witness had been cautioned and would
confine herself to a proper answer to ques
tions.
"But," said Foote, rising, "I maintain
that the answer is a proper one and I stand
here to insist upon it retaining its place
in the record. Papers hav.e been stolen.
There is no doubt about that. They call
it 'abstracted,' but I don't see any differ
ence in the bearing in this regard."
"By whom, tbouph?" asked Knight.
"Who stole or abstracted them? We
would still like to know?'
"Ob, I can't say," said Foote.
The court said he had instructed the
witness bow to answer, but Foote per
sisted in his position that her answer was
all right. The court insisted that he take
his seat and as he still continued to talk
Judce Slack announced that he would fine
him $25 for contempt.
Upon this Foote subsided and Knight
resumed :
"Whom did you send the letters to in
Iowa?"
"To W. W. Cherry, in Colnmbus."
"Why; was there anything in the letters
that the public should not see?"
'•No; I wanted them to be safe, that was
all."
"When did you hear of Senator Fair's
death?"
"The same night that he died."
"Who communicated it?"
"Ii was telephoned to me."
"Did you not remember that night that
you had a holographic will?"
"I do not know."
"Did you not look at that will that
night?"
"No."
"You knew you had it at the time the
will of the 21st was filed?"
"Yes, but I did not mention it then. 1
did not want the notoriety at that time."
"Were you interested in the fact of your
husband's death?"
"Ye.-."
"You were alive to all the circumstances
attending it, were you?"
"I was not dead."
"Now, did you know that another will
had been proffered for debate?"
Objection made and sustained.
"Why did you send that will out of the
State?"
"I did not want the notoriety and I
thought I could file it within ten months.
I wanted time to think about it."
"What do you mean by notoriety? Were
you ashamed of the marriage?"
"No. I thought that with all the Fair
money the heirs could give me trouble."
"What trouble did you expect from the
Fair children?"
"I don't know exactly how to answer.
I don't know what you desire."
"It is not what I desire."
"1 thought they would dispute the fact
of the marriage contract. I feared the
same trouble that Archbishop Riordan
had about the gift to him. They would
dispute it all. I did not care for the will
so much. There was nothing in it for
me."
"What notoriety did you fear then?
It was the notoriety as to your marriage
with Mr. Fair?"
"No!"
"Did you ever have that notoriety?"
Objection sustained.
"Did you attend your husband's
funeral?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I never attend the funeral of any one,
no matter how near."'
"Did you send so much as a daisy to
grace his casket?''
The form objected to and sustained.
"Did you send any flowers?"
"Yes; 1 sent, a bunch of roses."
"Where were you the day of the
funeral?"
THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, FKJLDAY, dUJNJi; 220, jlovx,.
The House at 2007 California Street, Where Mrs. Craven Resided and Where the Holographic
Will Was Written.
The witness could not Temember.
"What was the condition of your mind
on that day?"
"Somewhat disturbed."
"Was it so disturbed that you could not
remember where you were or what you did
on the day of your husband's hurial?"
"I think I was at home in bed."
Again Foote objected to Knight's line of
questioning. "This certainly is a most
vicious method of examination," he de
clared. "I say 'vicious' advisedly, for
when you want to do so, Mr. Knight, you
certainly can do it as viciously as any
body."
The court overruled Foote's objection,
however, on the ground that such an ex
amination was allowable, because the wit
ness was the custodian of the papers for
the possession of which the contention was
being made.
"Was Mrs. Haskins living there?"
"What do you mean by living there, Mr.
Knight? It was not her home, no. She
called on me that day — the day the will
was made."
"Your husband was there when Mrs.
Haskins came?"
"Yes."
"Did he write two wills while he was
there?"
"There were not two wills. One was a
copj', one being written in ink. Mr. Fair
wrote the leadpencil will first. He copied
it himself in ink. Jin. Haskins came in
after part of it was written."
"Did you dictate any part of it?"
"I dictated two clauses which he incor
porated. One was about the teachers and
the other gave to Charley Fair $500,000 to
even up on the others."
"Do you know Charley Hildebrand ?"
"No."
"Were you at the trial of the Martin will
case ?' '
"For about fifteen minutes."
"Do you know Mrs. Martin?"
"No."
"What kind of paper was the will writ
ten on?"
"On some large paper that I happened
to have for typewriting." •
"What kind of paper was the ink will
written on?"
"On similar paper."
"Have you that will?''
This question brought Mr. Foote to his
feet. "Have you got it?" he inquired.
"Have any of you got it? We would like
to know where it is. If, as has been inti
mated, tbe other side have the will let
them produce it or forever after hold their
peace."
Knight laughed at what he said he con
sidered a joke of Foote's, but the court
took the matter seriously and put the
question to Mr. Knight as to whether he
had the will or not.
Knight protested against the court ask
ing him whether he had a paper which, be
said, his Honor knew he t Knight) did not
have, merely upon an idle remark by Mr.
Foote.
Foote objected to Knight's reference to
his remarks as idle talk. "I was in earnest
when I demanded an answer of Mr.
Knight. I object to having my remarks
called idle talk."
The court called upon Mr. Foote, who
was becoming quite vehement, to take his
»e»t, and threatened to fine him. as:&in lor
! contempt — time more heavily than
•before.
"Well, I don't want to go broke on this
i proposition," said Foote, as he sat down.
When order was restored Knight
i answered for himself and Heircerty that
j they had no such document as Foote inti
mated. Foote still wanted to know
whether any of Mr. Knight's associates,
Mr. Lloyd or others, had the will, but
Judge Slack said Foote might later place
them on the stand to find out whether
they had the document in question, v-u:;:
This dismissed, Mr.' Knight resumed
questioning the witness.
"When you left this City to go East to
get the wills under \vh*t name did you
travel?"
"I took the name of Mrs. J. S. Came
ron.". ■.
"Why?"
Because there was a great deal of ex
citement and I did it for my own safety.
I did not wish to be known."
"Did you not receive telegrams at al
most every station in cipher, addressed
to the name of Cameron?"
"I would not swear to it." She admit- *
ted that she communicated with Mr.
j Rebertß in cipher from ' New York, how
ever. She said the cipher was a written
book, of which she and Mr. Roberts had
copies; that they had had it for several
years.
"What was the necessity of your having
a cipher with Mr. Roberts?"
"The same necessity that I have had for
several years in soing to New York. I did
not wish to telegraph openly on business
affairs." ; , • •
"Did you have a cipher with anybody
else?"
The witness said that she communicated
in cipher with Mr. Milholland of the New
York Tribune— nobody else. .
Here followed a long series of questions
about the cipher and about the precau
tions taken in bringing the will back,
Mrs. Craven being taken ill in New York
and there wag doubt as to whether she
should undertake the journey. She knew
that John W. Mac Key was interested in
the Fair children and she called on him,
' but he was not in. She saw his son.
When she started West ft was not certain
that she could get beyond Chicago, so it
was appointed that a Mr. Tichner should
meet her. She assumed the name of Knox
on the return in order to avoid
detection, and it was . arranged
that . she . wear her '■_■ handkerchief
on her bosom so that he might recongnize
her in the station. She forgot the sign,
however. She took a hack rather than a
carriage in being transferred from station
to station as the safer way. She was very
ill. A man came in and addressed her as
Mrs. Knox and said something about the
papers that he would ; arrange ; about it
and the train moved on.
Foote here pleaded for an adjournment.
He said the witness was not well and had
been tired enough.
Knight insisted, that -the. interesting
story of the journey with the valuable
papers should not be interrupted.
Mrs. Craven— or Fair, as Knight in
sisted on calling her,— called for a glass of
water and said she was feeling faint.
• Judge Slack ordered an adjournment
until this evening at 7:30 o'clock.
The question of the production of the
deeds was raised by Knight, and both
Foote and firittain assured the court that
the deeds would be produced at the next
session of the court.
An adjournment followed and the par
ties to the drama, the lawyers and the
crowd of the mixed curious filed out.
INTERESTS THE COAST.
Poitofpee EataUUshed at Walter*, River
side Count:/.
WASHINGTON, D. C, June 25.— A post
office was to-day established at Walter?,
Riverside County, Cal., and John A. Muir
appointed postmaster.
Dr. Meisser of San Francisco is at the
Bt. James and W. M. Rose of San Fran
cisco is the Riggs.
Pacific Coast pensions have been issued
as follows:
California: Original — Robert H. Ed
wards, San Diego. Increase — Theodore V.
Purely. San Jose. Reissue and increase —
Christian Shortz, Lake City. Original
widows— Fanny E. Shaff, San Francisco.
Mexican War survivors, increase— Charles
Bates, South Riverside.
Oregon: Original— Joseph Nichols (de
ceased), Portland; William Jackson, Myr
tle Creek. Original widows— Sarah C.
Nichols, Portland.
NOTABLE WARRING.
Wilton J". Lambert and Miis Bessie Gor
man United at Washington.
WASHINGTON, D. C, June 25. — A
notable social event of mid-June — the
wedding of Miss Bessie Gorman, daugh
ter of Hon. A. P. Gorman, to Wilton J.
Lambert, took place last night at the
residence of Senator and Mrs. Gorman.
Rev. Father Richards, S.J., president, of
Georgetown College, was the officiating
clergyman, and I. F. Little, son ol Judge
Little of Louisville, Ky.. a college friend
of Lambert's, was the best man. The cere
mony was attended by relatives and per
sonal friends of the respective .families, no
formal invitation? to the ceremony having
been issued.
Mr. and Mrs. Lambert will make an ex
tended wadding tour before going to Deer
Park, where they will reside during the
closing days of the summer season.
. - — : — ♦ .'■,-. ■
Tht Presidential Pishing Party Return*.
WASHINGTON, June 25:— The light
house tender Violet, with President Cleve
land, Secretary Carlisle and other mem
bers of the party on board, reached Wash
ington at 9:30 A. m. The party spent most
of the time fishing in Chesapeake Bay, off
the mouth of the James River, not far
from Fortress Monroe. They caught a Jot
of salt-water tish, which were distributed
as presents among the Cabinet officersand
other friends of the President to-day.
Th« Oregon Finally Accepted.
WASHINGTON. D. C, June 25.— The
new battleship Oregon has finally been ac
cepted by the Navy Department, the de
fects in her protective deck having been
remedied by the Union Iron Works.
Xeuf California J'ostmaxtern.
WASHINGTON, D. C, June 25.— Tbe
following Postmasters were appointed to
day: California — Mrs. J. W. Maxwell,
Powellton; P. H. McGarrey, Tarpsy.
» ♦
Condition of the Treasury.
WASHINGTON, D. C, June 25.— The
treasury* gold reserve at the close of busi
ness to-day stood at $101,940,339. The day's
withdrawals were $149,400.
PEFFER OPPOSES
TELLER'S BOOM,
Denounces the Taubeneck
Manifesto in Behalf of
the Silverite.
WAS NOT AUTHORIZED.
It Tends to Prevent the Union
of All Foes of the Money
Power.
HOW TO DEFEAT M'KINLEY.
He Says a Combinatian of Silver
Forces Can Alone Accomplish
This End.
WASHINGTON. D. C, June 25.—Sena
tor Peffer of Kansas does not expect Mc-
Kinley's defeat this year except by &
union of all tbe free-silver forces. On the
other hand buch a combination, he be
lieves, will sweep the country. This was
the cantral thought of Senator Peffer's
utterances upon the political outlook
to-day with a United Press reporter. In
cidentally the Kansas Senator sharply
criticized Mr. Taubeneck, the secretary of
the Populist National Committee, for the
party manifesto issued by him in St. Louis
a few days ago.
"This manifesto," he said, "was in the
nature of an appeal, signed by Mr.
Taubeneck and other gentlemen, advising
our people to support Senator Teller for
the Presidency when the Populist Conven
tion meets. It was a mistake and it was
wholly unauthorized.
"The leading iaea of our people, when
we formed our party, was to bring about
ultimately a union of all the different re
form elements of the country in opposition
to the power whicn is now recognized by
the term 'money power,' so that we might
be ready at any ti^p to join forces with
the other organizations which, like us, are
in this opposition. But we want them to
do what we have done; stand with the
present organization, so that together we
may form one party which will combine
these various elements of opposition. If
the silver Democrats and silver Republi
cans meet us on that ground, we ought in
turn to make an equal advance.and by com
bining, form a solid organization against
the common enemy; for 1 Oelieve that all
the Bigns of the times indicate that the
gold men — Republicans and Democrats —
will unite to defeat the silver movement.
I think also that our party should main
tain its present organization solidly, until
some arrangement can be made for a per
manent union of all the elements I refer to.
"In case the Democrats adopt their
usual platform at Chicago, making no
allowance for recruits from other sources,
and naming a ticket composed of old
school Democrats, pledged to no reform
except that of silver, our people will refuse
to act with them. We could, however,
form an offensive and defensive alliance
witn them in the Northwest, South, South
west and west and still keep our several
organizations intact. In that way we
could bring all the strength of the silver
people to bear in the electoral college."
When asked if this would hot be tanta
mount to indorsing the Democratic nomi
ne* Senator Peffer said :
"No; it would operate this way and take
State 3 like those in the Northwest, the
Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado.
Nevada and others in that region, where
i the Democratic vote is very light at the
I best. There we would have only Populist
electors, because the Democrats are not
sufficiently strong to change the political
complexion of the vote. In some of the
Southern States, where there are more
Democrats than Populists, there could be
a mixture of electors representing both ele
ments in proportion to their voting
strength, with the understanding that the
solid electoral vote be cast whichever way
it could be made the most effective in de
ciding the election for President. I see no
other way to maintain our separate organ
izations and get a combined strength
against the Republican candidate."
"In this event, who would be seated —
the Populist or tlie Democratic nominee?"
"That," replied Senator Peffer, "is a
matter of detail which could be settled
after the election."
"Under the circumstances, could you
defeat McKinley?'
"I shall not say that I doubt it; but I
fear it would not be successful. I don't
Believe that such a policy would bring out
anywhere the full silver vote of the coun
try. It would have the appearance of
division, and that alone would deter a
good many who would support a single
organization. National in its character.
Hence, I say, the importance of a union
of all the silver forces in one new body.
If we can secure such an organization we
shall carry the election."
VOTE AGAINST TELLER.
Ban Jose PopulUts Heprecate the Taube
neck Manifesto.
SAN JOSE, Cal., June 25.— At a meet
ing of the People's party Central Club of
this city to-night, a resolution was intro
duced declaring that it was the sense of
the club that Senator Teller be selected as
the choice of the People's party conven
tion for President.
As soon a<s the resolution was read a
number of prominent Populists took the
floor in protest. It was claimed that the
Populist party had made the silver issue
and that if Senator Teller wanted its sup
port he should tirst declare his allegiance
to the platform of that party; that the
silver-question was only a minor issue in
the platform and the repudiation of tho
other principles by the Indorsement of a
man who has been antagonistic to the
party on every question except silver,
would be to the lasting disgrace of the
party.
Chairman Taubeneclc of the Populist
National Committee, waß severely scored
for what was termed "his betrayal of the
interests of his party by his action in ad
vocating the indorsem ent of a free silver
Republican at the expense of its other
great principles, by the side of which free
silver pales into insignificance."
The resolution was defeated, only the
man who offered it voting in the affirma
tive.
Tavbenecfc : Makes A'o Reply.
ST. LOUIS, Mo., June 35.— Chairman
H. E. Taubeneck of the People's party
declines to say a word respecting Senator
Peffer's harsh criticism of his course in
putting out the recent Teller circular. It
is expected that Taubeneck will make a
reply in a few days, in which he will show
that the circular issued was authorized by
the executive committee of the People's
party.
Gothntn Republicans Celebrate.
NEW YORK, N. V., June 25. -The Re
publican Club ratified the nominations of
McKinlev and Hobart to-night at Carnegie
Music Hall. The meeting was held under
the auspices of the campaign committee of
the ReDubiican Club, and the nrinripal
speakers were Hon. Charles A. Boutelle of
Maine, General Horace Porter, Mayor
Strong and A. S. Steele, chairman of the
committee on arrangements.
HOLT WILL CASE CLOSED.
Termination of One of the Most Cele
brated Contests in the History
of the Country.
WASHINGTON, D. C, June 25.— The
Holt will case, which has been on trial in
this city for several weeks, was Closed at
a late hour this afternoon, and at 8:30 the
jury returned a verdict in favor of the
caveators, the effect of which is to set the
alleged will aside, or, in the words of the
decision of the jury, issue substantially a
declaration that the paper presented for
probate is not a true testament. This case
has Deen one of the moat interesting of its
character that has engaged the attention
of the courts here for a very long period.
The application for probate has been ear
nestly urged and as stubbornly resisted
as any similar case ever presented in the
courts of this district, and able counsel on
both sides have fought bitterly in the in
terests of their respective clients. Tbe
verdict has been looked for with more than
usual interest in this controversy. The re
sult leaves the case exactly where it was
before a sudden anonymous presentation
of the alleged testament reached the office
of the Register of Wills, several months
ago, and the heirs at law, who have had a
desperate ie^al fight on their hands, are
to-night receiving the congratulations of
their menus.
LEASES A MEXICAN LINE.
An English Firm Secures the Tehuantepec
National Railway for a Period of
Fifty Years.
WASHINGTON, D. C, June 25.— Co
nsul-General Crittenden reports to the State
Department from the City of Mexico that
the Mexican Government has leased to
Messrs. Pearson, & Son, of England, the
Tehuanteoec National Railway. The
lease is for fifty years. The Government
contributes $100,000 per month durine
three years for the reconstruction of the
road, during which time the lessees obli
gate themselves to have the line in solid
and substantial condition. After three
years the receipts of the road are to be
divided between the Government and the
lessees on a varying scale for each period
of ten years. The read runs between the
port of Coatzacoaloos, on the gulf, and the
port of Salina Cruz, on the Pacific Ocean.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORKERS.
Plan of lirorrjnuizntion Adopted by the
International Association.
BOSTON, Mass., June 25.— The Inter
national bu n<f ay-school Association * to
day adopted a plan of reorganizalion.
The organization will be called the Inter
national Sunday-school Field- workers' As
sociation, and is auxiliary to the Interna
tional Sunday-school Convention. The
members shall consist of international,
State and provincial Sunday-school field
workers ipdorsed by State or provincial
authorities. The regular meetings of the
associations shall be held in connection
with the International Sunday-school
Convention. An annual conference shall
be held at such time and place as may be
decided by the executive committee.
The following board of officers was ap
pointed: Alfred Day, Ontario, president;
Marion Lawrence, Ohio, vice-president;
Miss M. F. Huber, Kentucky, secretary
and treasurer; executive committee — Pro
fessor H. M. Hamilton of Illinois, C.
Briggs of Indiana, Rev. C. J. Keppark of
Pennsylvania and Rev. E. M. Ferguson of
New Jersey.
RECRER AND OREGON.
Progress of the Suit for the Recovery of
That $20,000.
NEW YORK, N. V.. June 25— The
Nevada Bank of San Francisco and the
Crocker - Woolwortn National Bank,
plaintiffs in a suit for the re
covery of $20,0C0, alleged to have
been obtained on a forged check by
Frink L. Seaver, James Cregan and
Charles Becker last November, obtained
from Justice Andrew in the Supreme
Cjurt to-day an order authorizing them
to serve the defendants by publication of
summons.
Seaver, who called himself A. H. Dean,
was arrested in San Francisco, while his
accomplices, Cregan and Becker, were fol
lowed across the continent and captured
in Ne-warK, N. J. They were indicted for
forgery and are in the City Jail at San
Francisco.
RAILROAD ROILDUIN INCREASES
Two Thousand Miles ITtll Be Added
During the Present Tear.
CHICAGO, 111.. June 25.— The Railway
Age in its next issue will publish statistics
showing that during the first six months
of this year 788 miles of new road have
been built in twenty-nine States and Ter
ritories on sixty-three lines. This is an
increase of about 2 per cent more ihan for
the first six months of 1895 and 47 per cent
more than for the same period in 1894.
Louisiana shows the greatest new mileage
—104 — California being next with 96 miles.
Track layine is now in progress on 120
roads and tbe indications are that 2000
miles of new road will be constructed for
the entire year.
»
Drowned Her**tf and Three Children
BAN ANTONIO. Tex., June 25.— 1n
Commal County, north of here, Mrs. Bier
ner, wife of a farmer, yesterday drowned
herself and her three children, aged 2, 4
and 6 years, in the Commal River. The
bodies were found tied together with
cords.
Death of Colonel RraekeU.
WASHINGTON, D. C, June 25.—
Colonel A. G. Brackett, retired, died to
day. Colonel Bracken was born in New
York and appointed to the array in 1853.
During the late war he was brevetted
three times. He retired in 1801, when
colonel of tbe Third Cavalry. The inter
ment will be at Arlington.
21EW TO-DAT.
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