The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-11-17
HELD BY A GUARD.
Charles rICDeVitt Detained
Twelve Days.
FIXING UP HIS ACCOUNTS.
He Proposes to Get Even With Those
Who Caused His
Trouble.

There is blood on the moon for the Me-
Dewitt family, and, from the charges and
counter charges that are being made, the
household hoStilities threaten TO wind I'D in
a grand display of legal pyrotechnics
The trouble is all over an estate Of $50 900
that was left about ten years ago by the
head OF the family, James McDeyiIt, who
was pioneer in the eoal-teaming business.
One-half of the estate was bequeathed to
Mrs. Annie McDevitt, the widow, and the
balance was TO be divided, share and share
alike among the seven children. Every
thing was serene at that time, but advanc-
ing years have wrought great changes in the
household and now there is trouble galore
The family are, with one or two excep-
tons, all against Charles McDevitt, who is
accused of making away with over $4,000
worth of property belonging to the others.
On account of this charge Charles was
induced TO become "a passive prisoner under
the custody of Curtin's detective agency of
this city.
Detective Smith of that agency went to
Petaluma, where Charles was residing on
the lst OF the present month. and escorted
him to this city, where, for the twelve fol-
lowing days. he was kept under surveil-
lance.
Captain Curtin denies that he had Charles
as prisoner. but the latter holds fast TO it
that he was, and he intends 10 make Rome
howl on account of the lndignity.
He charges his uncle by marriage, NJ. J.
Nihan, and his brotber-in-law, James Me
NamaTa, with being the cause of the out
rage.
lie proposes to have revenge, and to that
end has employed a firm of attorneys 10
begin the war.
1t appears that after his fathers death
Charles took hold Of the teaming business,
which he conducted without regard TO any
regular form of bookkeeping.
To add to his difficulties. an uncle Charles
died. leaving an estate of $4,000 over
when there was a contest. Charles was
appointed special administrator of this
estate. Between the teaming business, the
two estates and his crude ideas of keeping
accounts he got himself into a frightfui
jumDle, from which he emerged over $500
short.
To meet this he disposed OF all his inter
est in his birthright to NJ. j. Milan, an
uncle by marriage, who advanced him
enough to meet the deficiency. Charles
was 10Th to give up, however. believing that
by experience he would soon be able to con-
| duet things all right.
He only succeeded In rvaling his previous
record OF entangling things. and he was de-
posed from the management of the estate,
in which he was succeeded by NJ. J. Milan.
Filled with disgust, Charles hied away 10
a ranch belonging To the estate near Peta-
| luna, from which retirement lie refused TO
emerge. He turned deaf ear 20 all en-
| treaties to assist In unrayeling his accounts.
| His uncle aud brother-in-law. however,
placed the matter in the hands of CuItin's
detective agency, with the result that only
| serves TO bring down an interminable legal
| strife upon their heads.
McDevitt claims that the estate owes him
| S24O0, which he Is bound to have. He
charges that his relatIves-in-'aw, who do
not share In the estate, have conspired TO
deprive him OF his patrimony, and that they
are taking an unwarranted interest in the
whole affair
Captain Curtin states that no charges Of
crimnality can de traced to young McDevitt.
The only claim is that lie has been careless
in keeping accounts.
In a few DAYS a settlement Of accounts
will be offered in court which promises 10
result IN hard-fOught triangular Contest.
In the meantime Charles is studying up
the Penal Code and Code of Civil Procedure
In search of points" by which he can tor
ment those who are "fOrninst'' him.