The morning call., 1893-06-11

one of the most romantic stories that has
ever been related OF any of California'S
pioneers.
Mr.. Martins claim, if settled in his IA
vor, will deprive an English syndicate OF
several hundred thousands of dollars
worth of valuable tea plantations in the
island named and render rather shaky the
titles of dozen other concerns Of more
diminutive financial nature.
A short while ago Martin was looking
over his old papers. among which were
some documents at ore time the property
of his deceased uncle.
Among these papers were letters to Al
exander Davidson, signed Scowasgie Edel-
gle, Ceylonese Folded in one of these
epistles was a copy of articles Of copart-
nership showing Scowasgis Edeigie to be
Davidson's partner in Il Ceyon coffee
plantation of several hundred acres. This
certificate of partnership was dated 1S49
and proved that Davidson was entitled to
an equal share of the proceeds of the plan
tation mentioned and he was half-owner
in the property.
Martin could scarcely believe his eyes.
Packing his trunks be took passage for
Ceylon. There he learned thai his uncle's
CeylOnese partner, after hearing of Mr.
Davidson's death in 1875, having no de-
mands made on him for half of the profits.
ceased to make any return and absorbed
all of the proceeds himself. He died two
years ago in Ceyl0n. leaving an immense
estate-part Of which is leased by an
English syndicate-to be managed Dy his
heirs.
This estate is valued at S1,400,0Q0, one
half of which. it is claimed, rigbtfully be-
longs to the heirs of Alexander Davidson.
To recover half the estate. or S750000, and
interest accruing from profits, at the rate
of S12, 600 year for eighteen years, Martin
will Tile suit. Messrs. O'Bren and Camp
bell of this city are his attorneys.
DavidsOn's romantic history and the
story of his long hidden wealth are worth
relating.
In 1850 there came to San Francisco
young Scutchman, who claimed that he
had spent several years in the island of
Ceylon in the employ of a coffee planter.
The news of the discovery of gold in
California had drifted to every known
quarter OF tbe civilized globe; stories of
mines of ia abulouS richness and rivers
pebbled with golden nuggets reached the
ears Of young Davidson. who. full of am
biton and love Of adventure, hsstened to
turn most Of his possessions into coin. and
reach with all possible haste the new El
Dorado.
Davidson held on to 300 acres of land in
Colombo, the capital of Ceyion. however,
proba bly, for the simple reason that he could
not dispose of it. Before he left for Cali
fornia he entered Into partnership with
Edelgie with the understanding that the
latter should plant this land in coffee, and
gave Davidson half the profits to be de-
rived therefrom.
In California Davidson entered several
business enterprises and inves ted in mines.
He became very wealthy and was reputed
to have been worth several millions OF
dollars. He took an active part in all
political and social affairs in the early his
tory OF the State. was one.of the organizers
of the old Pacific Club and in later years
he became a member of the State Geo.
graphical Survey. In honor of his name
Mount Davidson was given it's title.
His business of buying and selling Cali
fornia mines for English capitalists gave
him much prestige abroad.
Davidson died in 1875, leaving what WIS
supposed to be an immense property, and
naming as his executors E. D. Heatley,
William Lane Booker, then British Consul
at San Francisco and now holding the
same Office in New York. and Alexander
Martin, his nephew, the latter as residuary
legatee.
It was found on appraising the value of
the estate that owing to a decrease in the
value of Best & Belcher stock the es-
tate was only worth about $50 000 After
several bequests named in Mr.. Davidson's
will had been paid and the expense of
settling the estate balanced Martin d.scoy
cred that he was only few thousands
of dollars better off than he was before
his unce's death.
The will which Mr.. Davidson left was
lacking In some of its most essential
points. 1t made mention OF no particular
property, but simply stated that after GER
tain amounts were paid out of the estate
the remainder was to go to Martin.
Martin had acted as his unce's private
secretary for many years prior to the Ia t
ter's death and during all that time had
never heard him mention anything about
owning property in Ceylon.
No one knew any more about il than
Martin did. and the secret of the fortune
was kept locked in the breasts of the in
habiants of Colombo for years, till the
discovery of the articles of copartnership
unfolded its tale of landed estates across
the seas.
A visit to Ceylon proved Martins claim
to be substantial.
Edelgie had given up the idea of raising
coffee on his land and planted it out in tea.
For miles the property stretches along
the slopes of the Ceylonese hills, and on it
are handsome houses aud strong ware
houses. An English syndicate operates
part of the plantation on a lease from
Edelgie's heirs, and is deriving an im-
mense income from its investment.
Some parts of the land are used by Edel-
gie's family. while others are lot to Cey-
lonese and Chinese. The estate is one of
the most magnificent on the island.
Quietly Martin slipped back to San
Francisco and consulted with his attor-
neys. Lawyer John O'Brien had no hest
tation in telling him he had clear case.
and that a compromise could be easily
effected.
It is not thought that the heirs of Edel-
gle will surrender without a struggle.
therefore the matter has been kept very
quiet.
Under instructions from his attorney.
Martin has returned to Ceylon, and soon