The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-28
THE FUND is GONE.
Selna's Money Cannot Be
Found.
WHAT L0UGHBOROUGH SAYS.
The Porter Estates Lawyer States He
Does Not Know What Has
Become of tine Cash.

'Tnsver knew that hehad used this money
or how his affairs stood until after his
DEATH" despairingly cried Attorney A. III.
Loughborough Yesterday, raising both his
hands heavenward, when he was seen and
asked about the Selma trust money left in
the hands Of the late David Porter nineteen
years ago.
Loughborough has not only been POrter's
attorney for many years but was always
one of the dead merchants most intimate
friends.
When he was first approached about the
state of Porter's finances, some days ago, he
positively refused to give any information.
Yesterdays publication by THE CALL of
the peculiar facts which have come to light
since Porter died evidently had their effect
on the attorney who has had charge of all
mis- affairs. and while still reluctant to reveal
anything, he appeared more communicative
yesterday afternoon.
cit is not that | want to hide anything"
said he, 'but do wish you would not ask
me any questions about this horrible affair,
because il is giving me enough trouble
without that.
Calming down little Mr.. Loughbor-
ough said that the whole business was
great surprise to him.
He had known David Porter intimately
for long time, but never had any ocea-
sion to suspect him of using money that did
not belong to him.
81 knew OF course that Porter was the
trustee of the Selma money and the guar
dian of Primo Selma. but J. had no idea
that the funds had disappeared. and am
quite sure his family is equally surprised"
Mr.. Loughborough said in response to
questions
Then he positively stated that as far as
he had been able to find out Porter left
absolutely no property when he died except
a life insurance policy OF $4,000.
The company in which the deceased
pioneer WAS insured Is the Connecticut
Home Life, but inquiries made yesterday
brought out the fact that the payment OF the
insurance money will depend entirely upon
future developments and that it IS not at all
improbable that 1t will never be paid at all.
The policy is made out in favor Of Mrs.
Porter, the widow, and her three daughter
so that even If tile company pays the claim
Primo Selma will have TO bring suit against
the estate or the heirs If he intends TO re-
cover part Of his fathers legacy out Of
this S20,000.
Mr.. Loughborough stated that he had
found Porter's affairs badly mixed up and
that he would not positively know how TO
commence to straighten them so as to know
for some time just how matters stood and
where all the money had gone to.
On Tuesday next Porter's will is TO be
probated and after that the books aud
papers of the deceased will be thoroughly
Overhauled.
Attorney Julius Reimer, who has been
engaged by the Selma heirs TO represent
them, said yesterday that IL was absolutely
impOss Die for him to say how much money
his clients were entitled TO, because he had
so far had 10 means by which he could
ascertain anything about the transactions
which had taken place since Ubaldo Selnas
death.
Mr. Relmer. like Mr.. Loughborough. hopes
to find some information in the books OF
David Porter when he gains access tn them
next week.
Among the Pioneers, Veteran Firemen
and older merchants the Selma trust and
David PoTter's connection with II was the
leading topic OF conversation yesterday,
and many were the theories advanced on the
subject.
Every detail of The Calls report was
discussed, and many remembered some of
the circumstRnc as related OF old.
All those who knew Porter intimately
were familiar with the fact that his wealth,
which at one time was quite considerable,
had been used up 10y business ventures,
speculations ana expenses long before his
sudden death
However, he was so highly esteemed by
his friends that no one ever questioned his
integrity, and even now II Will take very
strong evidence TO convince the men who
associated with him that he ever proved
himself unworthy of the trust y baldo Selma
placed In his hands.
Peter A. Giannini, who was made trus-
tee by Selma in his will jointly with David
Porter, was seen yesterday and appeared 10
be shocked and grieved over the disclosures
he had read in THE CALL.
81 was a trustee, together with Porter
from the time Of Selna's death, Ia 1874 un-
til the estate was distributed IN 1876, when
the widow. who is now Mrs G. {. Ny, Sc
lee,ed Porter a guardian for her two sous
and my responsibility ceased" said Mr.
Giannini.
"Since that time had absolutely no con-
neclon in the affair, and although | knew
Porter well and met him occasionally |
never talked 10 him about the Selma money
after | had ceased 10 be co-trustee." he ex-
claimed. saying further that as far as his
own personal recolections went the facts
and figures as given in The GALE yesterday
were correct.
Mr.. GiaBnini also said that on the day
following Porter's death Mrs. Ny came to
him and expressed her fears that Primes
money, held in trust by Porter. was gone
Mrs. Ny told me on that OCCASION"
stated Mr.. Gannini. that thirty minutes
before POrter's lfeless body was found in
the Mills building she had visited his place
of business on Halleck and Leidesdorff
streets and bad told him that PrimO's
twenty UIol DTtUudy WOuIu DC celebrated
on the following Saturday.
she considered it extremely strange that
so soon after leaving Porter lie met his
death"
TIE amount of money placed In bank by
Porter after Selna's debts were paid in 1874
WAS, as stated yesterday about S37, 600.
For about thirty months the widows
monthly allowance was $780, or. altoge Their.
$500. Since that time. or for over sixteen
years, she drew regularly 500, or a total of
about $4,000. which makes some SPA, 800
Mrs. Ny has received since the death OF her
first husband through David Porter.
Besides this, Pavola Selna, the mother of
UbaldO Sr.. has been the recipient of $50
a month for nineteen years, making in all
$780, so that a grand total OF S29.0 600 has
been paid out OF that original S37 600,
which latter at only 6 per ceut interest
would be now more than double that
amounthad no monthly siipends been made.
At no time were the monthly payments
referred tG as largs as the legitimate interest
Of the capital, so that the latter if left un-
disturbed must have steadily increased
James Lawson. anephew of David Porter,
was for long time the Iatter's boOkkeeper.
but eight years ago left his employ.
Lawson is in the saloon business on SUIT
ter street now, but when he was seen ves-
terday he claimed not 10 know how his late
uncle's affairs stood at the time of his death.
HE was all right eight years ago, but IL
you want to know how he las been getting on
financially since you will have to ask Mr..
LnughborOugh, his attorney" is all Mr.
Lawson would or could say,