The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-10-08
HIS MANY WILLS.
Mrs. Joan Hunter Tells
Her Story.
ABOUT TO VISIT SCOTLAND.
She Says David Hunter Had Always
Spoken of His Whole Estate
Belonging to Her.
ABOUT TO VISIT SCOTLAND.

Mrs. Joan n. G. Hunter, widow of David
Hunter. who died in the early part of the
present year, leaving an estate of great
value, made deposition on Friday alter
noon in her contest over the estate Of her
late husband.
At will be remem bered by the readerslof
THE CALL that G. S. Tilden was granted
administration papers over the estate, and
Mrs. Hunter subsequently contested the
probate of the will-frst on the ground
that 1t was bogus will; second, on the
ground that there was certain community
property belonging to her which was not
mentioned in the document, and that she
was proper person to administer the
estate. Finally, however, just as the hear
ing of the contest was called up IN court
Mrs Hunter withdrew her opposition and
the will was admitted to probate. 1t
was understood. however, that the matter
was not to rest there.
Mrs. Hunter had grave objections to the
notoriety attendant upon her appearance
in courtroom; and being about to return
to her home In Scotland on pleasure trip
she, by her attorney, Frederick 5. STRAIT
ton, obtained permission from the court to
have her deposition taken before Notary
Public Basil Ricketts,.
building, at STATIONS Office. There were
present. representing the executors OF
David Hunters will. L. Z. X. Cormac,
Dennis Donahue Jr. and Charles S. 1ilden.
T. Z. K. Cormac and Dennis Donahue
Jr. represented Jane Methven Crichton.
Mary Craik. Elizabeth Methven, George
Methven and Margaret Craig Wilkie,
ne phews and nieces Of David Hunter re-
siding In Scotland Mr.. Payson represented
Mrs. Stuart, another niece. residing in this
city, and Mr.. Chickering represented other
heirs.
Mrs. Hunter said that she was married
August II. 1885, She had known Hunter
for sixteen years, and had acted as his
amanuensis. Hunter h ad executed several
wills In her favor, but on the death OF
Myles ID. Sweeney, who had decided his
property to his wife, he concluded to do
the same. Hunter told her that he had
had such a deed drawn up by Tllden q
Tilden, and subsequently two deeds were
brought TO her and taken to notary S
office. One deed conveyed all her property
10 Hunter, and the other conveyed all her
husbands property to her. Both deeds
were signed before Notary Tharp, Janu-
airy g. 1889. The deeds were left In Til
denis Office.
After Mr.. Hunters death the witness
| asked Mr.. Tilden to have her deed re.
corded but she was told that Hunter had
DESTROYED II and had lett Will, Dequeain-
| ing to her one half the property and the
| other half to his heirs. The witness
| further stated that after the delivery OF
the deed her husband often spoke of the
property as hers in the presence Of others.
Mrs. Hunter said she WAS born neal
Edinburgh in 1871, and came 10 this coun.
try twenty-five years ago. She had worked
in Scotland as her fathers bookkeeper,
and she filled similar situations In this city
before entering Hunters service. She
had taught in the family Of the late David
| Porter. When she was in Hunters
ser-ice he paid her no wages, but paid any
bills she contracted. She lived in conf.
dental relations with Mr.. Hunter while
his first wife was alive. Hunter then pre-
pared will by which he left her consld
cradle money. He also gave her presents
of money before he married her, and SHIT
had purchased considerable real estate
with the money.
In conclusion, Mrs. Hunter testified
that during the last few months Of bel
husbands life he seemed to turn agans
| her, and she at one time had serious
thoughts of obtaining divorce from him
She even went to see Ii. c. Clement abou
preparing suit for divorce. but she after
ward abandoned the idea. and made NJ
further attempt to obtain separation
from Hunter.
Mrs Hunter intends to leave for Scot
| land on visit to her old home on the It'll
of the present month.