Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-30
ADEAD MANS MONEY
His Relations Want Doctor
ShOrb to Give 1t Up.
Mrs. ShOrb Said to Have Been
Given Large Amounts.
Suit for the Harris Estate Begun by
Public Administrator Field.
A Curious Case-An Allegation that the
Shorbs Exercised Undue Influ-
ence Over the Deceased.
A Large Estate.

The case has finally come to trial be-
fore Judge Van Dyke, in department
four of the superior court, which will
very materially affect the standing, one
way or the other, of DR.. A. S. Shorb in
this city. 1t is the case in which he has
been charged with exercising undue
influence over Daniel J. Harris, de-
ceased, in order to obtain quite a large
sum OF money from him. The case has
been pending for year, and the princi-
pal facts have been given heretofore in
HERALD. The case comes up now on a
suit by Public Administrator Field, who
is attempting to recover for the estate
over $50, 900 which DR.. Shorb has in his
possession, although it is under injunc-
tion and he has not been able to take it
from the banks in which it is deposited.
The case is before jury, and yesterday
start was made in the taking Of testi-
mony. A brief review of the case will
be pertinent at this time.
Daniel j. Harris, man OF wealth
acquired mainly during the boom in
Seattle, came to Los Angeles. He mar
ried young woman, who at the time
was member of DR.. Shorb's house
hold, acting in the capacity of servant.
She was a comely, good natured, hearty
girl. Harris became infatuated with
her, and they were married. Their
domestic life in the northwest was not
very happy and che left him, returning
to her old place in this city. In the
course of time Harris became i'll, and
during the early part of May, 1890, DR..
Shorb took charge of his case. In the
meantime Harrs's wife had died. He
died in August, leaving fortune behind
him. Mr.. Field, the public admins
traitor, made application to be appointed
administrator of the estate, and on Sep
tember 5, 1890, the court gave him let
ters of administration. He soon learned
that Mr.. and Mrs. Shorb had possession
OF large sum of money which he con-
sidered belonged to the estate. Suit
was commenced to recover this money.
The plaintiff alleges that on May IS,
1890, Harris paid over to Matte L. Shorb
the sum of $500 on July 8, 1890, he paid
her the further sum of $12S8. 25; that
some time prior to July, $780, Harris
placed on deposit in q Washington bank
per cent. per annum; that the certificate
of deposit fell into the hands OF DR.. A. S.
Shorb, one of the defendants, and
through the Los Angeles County bank
the money was drawn from the Wash
ington bank and placed on deposit in
the former bank to the credit of Shorb ;
that some time later $4,000 of this
money was placed in the Los Angeles
Savings bank, $4,000 in the Security
Savings bank, and $4,000 with the Main
street Savings and Trust company; that
at the time of the death of Harris all
that the defendants turned over to the
public administrator was $45 in money,
some household furniture and watch,
the whole valued at about $35. the same
being property OF deceased. The public
administrator seeks recover the several
sums.
He alleges in his complaint that the
Shorbs exercised undue influence over
the deceased during his last illness ;
that they prejudiced him against every
one but themselves, and made him be-
lieve that efforts were being made by
outsiders to injure him in his health
and property. While he was in feeble
mental condition, he alleges that they
gave him large quantities OF whisky,
and SO added to his dependence upon
them for care and attention; that dur
ing this mental prostratiop they in
duced him to part with the money and
the certificate of deposit, and make over
to them other valuable property.
There are two brothers interested in
the result of this trial. The estate is a
large one. There is some $4,000 be-
sides the amounts said to be in posses
sion of DR.. Shorb and his wife.
DIR. Shorb and his wife claim that the
moneys they received were free gifts
from the deceased, who felt grateful to
them for the part they took in his al
fairs, and arranged for them to receive
the property before his death, SO that
there should be no trouble about it in
the event of his demise. The case will
take several days in its trial, and there
are quite a number of witnesses on both
sides. The public administrators is rep
resented by Messrs. Wells, Monroe &
Lee and George M. Holton, while the
defendants have for counsel Stephen M.
White and Messrs. Wilson & Bulla.
The empaneling of the jury occupied
some time, and only start was made
in the afternoon in the taking of testi-
mony.