The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-25


stantly seen. as Governor Downey great
estate is being administered as intestate
| property. At first Receiver o. Connor was
inclined to send the will directly to the
Probate Court of Los Angeles without
opening it, but later he concluded to open
the en- velope in order to learn the names
of the executors who would have charge of
the will.
Upon opening the document it was found
to be dated in 1877 and named Stephen NJ.
White, Peter Donahoe and e. F. Spence as
executors. Spence and Donahoe are dead
and Receiver O'Connor notified Senator
White at Los Angeles that he would send
the will to him by special messenger. Mr..
Wadham went to Los Angeles this morn
ing on the errand.
Though no copy of the will was taken
its general provisions were learned. 1t
directs that the home in Los Angeles and
the house adjoining, together with all
furniture, silverware, plate, horses, car
riages, ETC., shall become the property of
his wife. This was Governor Downey' 8
first wife, since deceased without issue.
Bequests of $1,000 or $4,000 are made to as
many Catholic charitable institutions, in
cluding the Orphans Home at Los An
geles. and the remainder of the estate is
divided, one-half going to the widow and
the balance equally divided between Gov
ernor Downey's two sisters, Mrs. Peter
Donahoe and Mrs. Eleanor Martin and the
latter's son, ]. Downey Harvey.
The value of the estate is estimated at
over $500,000. Governor Downey owned
much real estate in Los Angeles and San
Diego counties, including the great War
ners ranch in this county, estimated to be
worth 100000. He died March 1, 1894, in
Los Angeles. supposedly intestate, and on
the 18th of the same month letters of ad-
ministration were granted J. Downey Har-
vey on the application of Governor Dow
ney's sisters. The whole estate, according
to law would go to them in the absence of
will, and the heirs of the first and second
wives would get nothing.
The present will would have been invalid
had the second wife had issue. but as she
died without children it will take effect
unless later will is found. That later
will was made there is every reason to
believe from the circumstances that were
made known to-day by former attorney
of Governor Downey. Nobody knows any,
thing of such will, however, and if it is
in existence it is probably kept closely
guarded by persons much interested in so
doing.
II got most of the facts from Governor
Downey himself" said this attorney, "and
know whereof / speak. / have every rea-
son to believe there is in existence a later
will, and that in it no provision whatever
is made for j. Downey Harvey. Harvey
was favorite of the Governor, and was
named after him. 1t was generally under
stood that he was to come in for the bulk
of the property.
"Some time after the death of the Gov
ernor's first wife there came rumors that
the Governor intended to marry again and
that strong efforts were being made on the
part of his sisters to prevent such an act,
which would throw them and j. Downey
out. Whether upon their urgent solicita-
ton or not Governor Downey took a long
trip, almost around the world, leaving his
affairs in the hands of J. Downey Harvey,
who was attorney in fact.'
The attorney related a story rejecting
upon J. Downey Harvey's management,
and told of suit filed against him by the
Ex-Governor, adding: cit was enough for
one relative, he thought, under the cir
cumstances, and he told me, and more
than once, that he would cut ]. Downey
Harvey off without a shilling.
Nov this old will bobs up and in it ].
Downey is given one-sixth OF the estate. /
am satisfied that was not the intention Of