The record-union., 1894-07-06
Two LAWYERS AGAINST A WOMAN.
Arguments Yesterday in the Hicks
Vile Read Matter.
Mrs. valensin Holds Her Own Against
Lawyers McKune and Hiram
W. Johnson.

BOt0 Oh Ll6 IOauS lHdt i6du W HAdb W oo
once the village of Hicksville-bnt which
has been dying steadily since it ceased to
be the watering place for stage line IN
the long ago-are very short, but Law
yers II. w. johnson and j. ii. McKune
traversed many thousands of miles. met
aphorically speaking, in their arguments
before the Supervisors yesterday against
the abandonment of the old road that
runs through the land of Mrs. Alice M.
Valensin.
In lieu of this road that lady some
years ago decided the county the land Tor
another one alongside the railroad, and
Tor the convenience of that part OF the
county she also gave the railroad COM
pany the necessary ground for station
and sidetrack at Arno. She also estab-
lished there a general supply store and
public telephone station, and the Govern
ment removed the Postoffice from Hicks
vile to that point.
The county expended nearly 81 600 in
placing the new road in good condition,
but neglected taking the necessary
steps to formally abandon the old road.
The matter had hung fire for several
years, until recently Mrs. ValensIn in
duced the present Board OF Supervisors
to bring the matter of the abandonment
of one road or the other to an issue. The
testimony of residents regarding the re-
spective merits of the two roads was
heard month ago, and yesterday was the
day set for hearing arguments thereon.
Mrs. Valensin was present IN person to
represent the petitioners for the abandon
ment of the old road, and she had to con-
tend with such experienced and able
lawyers as Judge McKune and Hiram
w. johnson, who had been retained to
oppose the abandonment in the interest
of a few persons who still retain some
property in the old village OF Hlcksvllle
and who claim that the old road is better
for them than the new one.
In their arguments yesterday the law
yers went away back to the beginning OF
the contest, several years ago, and re-
hearsed the history of the two roads, not
even neglecting some little matters OF
neighborhood chickering's. Mrs. Valen-
sin was even followed TO far-away sunny
Italy, whittier she went to study in her
girl days. The arguments covered very
wide range, indeed, and the Supervisors
were so highly entertained by the elo-
quent gentlemen that they even forgot to
keep their Havanas lighted, and putfed
away at cigars that had been killed" as
effectually as gang of railroad strikers
Some legal points were also introduced
in the arguments, Judge McKune con-
tending that even though the old road
should be abandoned 1t could not be used
by Mrs. Valensin, as it belonged to the
original owners of the Chabolla Grant
and would revert to them.
If the Supervisors and others present
were entertained by the able lawyers,
they enjoyed with even higher degree OF
interest the surprise that had remained
in store for them. Mrs. Valensin had
taken notes of the arguments of the law
yerS, and the manner in which she met
and disposed of them would have thrown
a women's convention into ecstaSies OF
enthusiasm. She would have had no
difficulty, in such body, in securing a
nomination for Attorney-General, albeit
she has never manifested desire for any
such honors.
Seriously, however, the lady more than
held her own in the argument, and made
a most favorable impression on all pres
ent. She was clear, forcible, logical, con-
else, and even cuttingly sarcastic when
parrying some of Judge Mckune's al
lusions to matters that she contended
were entirely outside the merits of the
case.
At the conclusion of her argument.
Supervisor Curtis moved that the matter
be taken under advisement, as he would
like to visit the locality and travel over
both the pits OF road before casting his
vote on the proposition before the board.
Supervisor Jenkins also favored some
delay. as he desired to have the board
consult with the District Attorney before
taking definite action.
Supervisor Todd said he would support
the motion to take the matter under ad-
visement, provided Mr.. Curtis would
consent to have the issue decided at the
present session of the board.
Mr.. Curtis repeated that he would like
to visit Arno, as he had not been over the
road there in forty years, but he accepted
Mr.. Todd's amendment, and the motion
was carried.