The herald., 1895-03-22
:. FIGHT FOR FAIRS MILLIONS
DR.. LivingstOnes Flees From
San Francisco
HAUNTED BY PLACE HUNTERS
The Will Written in Lead Pencil Bound
to Cause Great Trouble
Opinions Expressed as to the Genuineness
Of the Document-What Banker
Says Concerning 1t
HAUNTED BY PLACE HUNTERS

STOCKTON, March 21.-Dr. Mark Liv-
ingstone of San Francisco arrived in
Stockton today on a visit to relati yes. lie
said he came for the purpose OF escaping
the horde of applicants for jobs who nave
been making his life more unpleasant
since the new will of James &. Fair, max
ing him an executor has been hled, thah
the Office seekers are making 1T Tor uoVer-
nor Budd Applications for all sorts OF po-
sitions from ranch foreman to elevator OPP
orators have been pouring in. DR.. Law
ingstone will leave for Sacramento to-
morrow TO consult with Governor Budd.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 21.-James
6. Fairs leadpencil will is still the SEN
sation of the day. 1t is the subject OF
general disc ussion, and opinions concern
ing it vary widely. Persons who are not
in full possession of the facts are inclined
TO the belief that the new will has been
manufactured, though they have no good
reason for thinking so. They simply say,
1T is tishy,' and Mrs. Craven's reticence
tends to emphasize and intensity this
opinion. The production of the Will has
tended again to direct attention to Mrs.
Craven, something to which she is ac-
cust.med, because ever since she was given
a place in the public school department.
she has frequently been in the public
prints and has been much talked OF.
She has been active i'll school and state
politics, and has always been on friendly
terms with prominent men. AS politi-
clan she is astute and effective. She was
made inspectress of San Francisco schools
fifteen years ago, and it was said that the
position was created especially for her
through friendliness with a majority of
the School Board. Twelve years ago the
principal OF the Mission school was dis
placed and Mrs. Craven was given the
place. which she has held ever since.
She was divorced from her husband, who
was principal OF the Alameia school, and
also OF the Oakland schools, and who IS
now teaching in Washington, ID. c., Mr.
Craven objecting to his wife's political
prominence. the cause for divorce being
incompatibility of temperament.
Three years ago she took rooms at the
California Hotel during the campaign
and from that hostelry made a strong
struggle in behalf OF the ticket put for
ward by the kelly-Crimmins combina-
ton. Her personal peculiarities are be-
ing rehearsed by those familiar with her
history and even such incidents as her
campaign trip with a party in which
there was a school director three years
ago, are recalled as indicating what may
have been one source of her political
strength. During part of the time in
which the late Senator Fair resided at
the Lick House Mrs. Craven also lived
there and maintained friendly relations
with the millionaire.
Those interested in determining her
precise credibllity are tracing the story of
her life as she has lived it in Califrnia,
and even the papers in the divorce suit,
tried in Oakland, are being studied. When
the will advanced by Mrs. Craven is ex-
amined for probate, and all the incidents
OF its making are looked into, the natural
course of the executors appointed under
Fairs will of September q will be to at
tempt to destroy the effect of Mrs. Cray
en- $ testimony. Mr.. and Mrs. Craven
have a daughter, Birdie, who is now
member of Frohman's Theatrical Com
pany in New York, and has made de-
cided mark as an actress.
While Mrs. Craven refuses to say how
she sent the will out of the state, the
interview III New York she said her
mother left hurriedly for San Francisco
on Sunday, March 10, and brought the
will with her. When questioned further,
Miss Craven snapped: ~ absolutely re-
fuse to say another word on the NATTER
The story that Senator Fair left large
sum of money secretly with Mr.. Goodfel-
low, to pay the expenses of the contest of
the stolen will, is generally believed, and
nowhere denied. 1t is said that Mr.. Good
fellow was given two lots of real estate
and wheat, to the value of Sl00, 000 for
this purpose Mr.. Goodfelow refers in
quirers to his special attorney, Mr.. Nc
Enerney.
When the rumor was outlined TO Mr..
McEnerney, he replied:
If that were so, we could say nothing
about it, -
is that what Mr.. Goodfellow would
say? Would he neither deny .or confirm
the report?"
He would refer you to me, | thipk?"
And you would simply repeat what
you have said?"
That is it.
The story seems to strike the popular
fancy, and the general feeling is that it
is true.
Charles s. Neal of Alameda, president
OF the Encinal Bank, was for years pri-
vate secretary to James g. Fair. He is
familiar with the handwriting of the late
millionaire, and will undoubtedly be
called as a witness in the contest. He saw
the lead pencil Will on Saturday and Sun
day, and made a most searching and
thorough examination OF every letter in
1t and a comparison of hundreds of let
ters OF the ex-senator which he has in
his possession. He declared that the will
is genuine beyond any question whatever.