Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-07-11
FIGHT FOR A FORTUNE.
A Woman DisinherIted Is Indicted for Mu-
tIlatinnIhsr Fathers VIII.

II y
high circles in that place. The case
is one of the most peculiar that has
occupied the attention of the courts
for some time--one that is seldom
brought to light and seldom heard OF
except In novels. We learn the foi-
| lowing facts in regard to the Black
Will Case" which IS the SUBJECT OF
great comment, both in that place and
in San Francisco, where the parties
are well known. James Black, the
| deceased, an old Californian, came to
| this coast in 1884, and pur-
| chased and received grants TO
large portions of land in Marin
county, in close proximity TO the town
of San Rafael. Some years since he
married his first wife, and by her
had daughter, who is the cause Of
all the present trouble. His first wife
died from the effects of chloroform,
administered by her son-in-law, for
! tho purpose of extracting some teeth.
! A few years SUGGESTING his Wife's
death he married his present widow,
! who was the third wife, and afterward
| the widow of a Mr.. Pacheco of that
county. He is said to have been very
| happy in his domestic relations. Mr..
Black was considered very kind and
benevolent man by all who knew him,
but arbitrary in his likes and dislikes.
In many cases, however, he has been
known to exempt his tenants from
paying any rent for their property in
case of the failure of the crops.
The daughter is the wife of DR.. Bar
dell, at one time promenent dentist
of this city. 1t is alleged that she
! married her husband against the APP
probation Of her father, who was at
one time violently opposed to the
match, but afterwards seemed recon-
cileq 10 the marriage, and on her we'd
ding day presented her with ranch
near PetaIuma, estimated to be worth
about $50, 900, and is valued at the
| present time at about $40, 900. Since
| their EWeddiDg they have travelled
extensively, visiting the East and Eu-
rope.
About eleven years ago Mrs. har-
dell met her husband, who was a den
tist in this city with large and fash
! iOnabie class of custom. In course OF
time they were engaged. MIR. Black
was opposed to the match at the time,
but ya3 FecOnGiled, and made the
bride a present of the aRoye ranch.
After the ceremony the doctor and his
bride took tour to Europe. Shortly
after the doctors return Mrs. Black,
James Blacks first wife, requiring
some teeth drawn, visited her sOn-in-
/ law for professional services. TO al
leviate the pain consequent on the
operation of drawing her teeth, the
| doctor administered chlorofOrm, which
resulted in her death. On hearing of
this her husband was incensea against
his son-in-laW, and it is stated that at
| this time he made the will, cutting off
his daughter and her husband. A
child was born to the couple, and this
had the effect of healing the breech
betyeaQ tho tYe parties, since which
time they have been on good terms.
The estate left by Mr.. Black was es-
timated by those conversant with his
affairs to be worth between $3.50, coo
and $500, coo at the time of his death.
The estate is principally land in Ma
rim county, generally rented out to
tenants for dairy purposes and farming
! lands. Besides this, he had consider
able money loaned out on mortgage,
both in Marin county and this city.
The will was dated about ten years
ago, shortly after the marriage of his
daughters and after bequeathing sew
| eFaI tracts of land and shms of money,
varying from four to five thousand dol
| lars, to some of his tenants-friends
of his lifetime and employees
he left the whole of his remaining
property to his widow, virtually cut
ting eff his daughter, Mrs. Burdell,
with dime. The executors are
Daniel Taylor, of San Rafael, Mr..
! Stewart, of Oakland, and Mr.. Cor
don, the county treasurer of Marin
county. They are to act without
giving bonds to the oOurE.
After the last tokens Of respect had
been paid to the remains of the late
/ James Black, a small and mournful
party assembled at the late residence
| of the deceased, consisting of the rela-
tives and the executors. The will, as
above, was read amid SILENCE. When
| the lawyer had read the document, 1t
is alleged Mrs. Dr. Burdell requested
the attorney to allow her to see the
document. After having read the
parchment and being swarS of its
contents, she quickly, and before any
of the party could prevent her, de-
strOyed the will by tearing the sig
nature of the testator from the dOcu-
| ment and destroying the name. Great
indignation was felt by those present,
and steps were Immediately taken by
those interested to bring the destroyer
of the document before the grand
jury, which was in session at the time.
The case was presented to them, and
after mature deliberatiOn and having
the testimony of all conversant with
the affair, true bill was found against
her. The case will probably come up
before the present session OF the F'ii-
teenth District Court, before Judge
! Dwinelle.
If the parties interested succeed in
proving that the will was destroyed
| with malice, they will take steps to
have the will admitted to probate and
have the will acknowledged as the
last will and testament of James
Black. Public sentiment appears to
be on the side of Mrs. Burdell, as the
people think that Mr.. Black was in
fiuenced by passion when making the
will, which, it will be recollected, was
made shortly after his daughters
marriage. He is said to have ex-
pressed desire short time previous
10 his demise to do something more
for his daughter, and it is said, had
not death called for him as soon as it
did, that he would have made another
will, granting to his daughter con-
siderable of his property.
The end of this strange case will be
looked forward to with interest by
the community, as the parties are well
known in this city and throughout
the State. r, a - .-t-
Since this city has outgrown fire
department in which men have other
daily occupations than those connected
with fires, we can look down with
complacency upon cities that have not
yet attained to this system. On the
18th ult. there was great fire at San
| 4 ptOnio ToxaS A draVman. q men,