The morning call., 1893-05-30
MURPHYS SHUT UP,
Spicy and Snobby Notes
Kept Secret.
THEIR CREST HAS A REST.
A Compromise Between Attorneys
Draw We'll Over the Family's
sisp Correspondence.
Ecre do ;Tramite Reefs.

Ecre da ;Tramite Reefs.
That is the motto of the American
Murphys.. 1t CLOVIS in blue embossed
letters on the fashionable linen paper
notes. or stands in plain relief on the
morning eillets introduced in the Murphy
will contest at Oakland.
1t had scroll all to itself flowing around
lion rampant supporting sheaf OF
grain. Higher up like a halo Is a crown.
denoting possibly the far-away royalty of
the Murphy family.
But 1t was not seen yesterday In court,
for the letters were hidden jealousy from
sight. There was TOO much spice and snap,
not to speak of snobbery and rueful dis
play of family weakness, for the litigants
90 bear up against it all. So the attorneys
took the life out of the Murphy squabble
by compromising. They read every letter,
compared notes and admitted such por-
lions as were deemed relevant to the case.
There was nothing left in consequence
for yesterdays proceedings but to read
the dry extracts and look pleased because
the press: was shut out at the eleventh
hour.
Miss Mary Murphy and her sister Issy
were present as usual, while Dan sat with
his attorneys and appeared dreadfully
bored.
A CLEAN of satisfaction was noticeable
on their countrnances, despite the un-
pleasant circumstances but 1t seems so
long as outsiders know nothing of the
family ructions. the litigants are happy
enough.
Attorney Martin of Alameda, who had
been doing the heavy sitting during the
proceedings, explained that he repre-
sented the absent heirs. AS Attorney
Moore WAS going to Chicago, his place
would be taken by Martin.
Mr.. Metcalf was called to the stand.
do yon know any case in which Miss
Mary Helen acted as trustee for her
mother?" asked Mr.. Wheeler.
Yes" replied the witness. after Mr..
Foote had objected.
'Do you know of any instance in which
Miss Mary Helen or Miss Frances Murphy
held property in trust for their mother?"
Il know of piece of property Oh Point
Lobos avenue in San Francisco which
Mrs. Murphy owned when she was here
and Miss Frances afterward claimed as
an interest in it,"
What has become of the property ?'
ut is still in San Francisco"
why did you not include that property
in your inventory of Mrs. Murphy's
estate ?"
as its ownership was an open question in
my mind"
The following letter from Metcalf to
Mrs. Murphy was read for reasons best
known to the attorneys:
January 4, 1885,
lntend 10 dispense with MIR. Div 4 on the
1st Of February. have talked the matter over
thoroughly with Dan, and he leaves the mat
Ter, as lar as lie Is concerned, entirely In my
hands. Eugene Is now in America. have re-
ceiyed one or TWO letters from him since his
arrival in Philadelphia, and expect to see him
In San FIR ncisco before long. l Will do all
that l can TO have him remain here. If he
could secure the controlling interest in some
bank and become the president thereof il
would give him dignifed position and, at the
same me, lucrative employment. In my opin-
happen 10 him II he could only make up his
mind to remain here, VIII do all thai l can
Assisting him in securing such position.
,,, WIN ms own hand, and the assistance OF
bank and elect himself president thereof
Attorney Wheeler introduced several
short selections from Mr.. Metcalf's letters
to Mrs. Mnrphy that the court might un-
derstand the business relations between
the contestants and their other.
One letter assured her that Dan was at
tending strictly 10 business and considera
bic might be expected from him. Another
stated that EGO month for house IN LON
don was reasonable and within Mrs. Muir.
phys means provided her family would
contrl quite to Day the rent. Dan was
elected director of the gas COMPANY on
the regular ticket in March, 1888, through
Metcalfs energy ana influence. The at
torney and confidential agent also advised
Mrs. Murphy and her three daughters. then
living with her in London, to make wills.
lie case was continued until Wedpps-
DAY morning, and meanwhile the Murphy
crest Is safe in the Pandora box of letters.
though the scandals escaped by the score.