The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-29
SHE PLEADED
Her own Case.
MRS. ISABELLA MARTIN CREATED
A SENSATION IN WEAV-
ERVILLE.
A LAWYER SoUNDLY SHAKEN
He HAD MADE SOME DIsPARAGING
REMARKS ABOUT HER BABY
JOHN.

Mrs. Isabella Martin, besieged by Deputy
Sheriffs and holding her fort on Van Ness
avenue in defiance of the minions of the
law, gave narrative yesterday of her re-
cent experiences in Weaverville.
The lower portion of the house is desti-
tute of furniture, the ruthless ENJOYS OF
Sheriff Whelan having devastated the
premises. But Mrs. Martins boudoir and
stronghold is still unpolluted by the talons
of the law and is a room of luxury and
taste. The fair chatelaine was in one of
the most narrowing scenes of Daniel
O'Connell's play when the reporter arrived,
but kindly related the thrilling events of
her trip to Trinity County and the partic-
ulars of her rough handling by Attorney
Bartlett.
~ went to Maxwell this last time to set
tie my annual account with the Probate
Judge, Hon. T. e. JONES'" said Mrs. Mar
tin, land to also petition the court for a
homestead on the property in 0akland-it
being the same property which DR.. Nc
Mutt levied on and sold at Sheriff sale. /
had hardly taken my seat in the court
room before James Bartlett, the District
Attorney of Trinity County, came and de-
INJURED in behalf of DR.. McNutt to my
petition for probate homestead. He was
one of the men who opened my husband s
safe, and was the attorney for the Public
Administrator who contested my right to
administer on the estate. I am told on
very good authority that he had advised
people to sue my husbands estate,
telling them that he would bring
the suit, and if they succeeded
in collecting their bills they could
divide with him; if on the contrary they
did not obtain the money they need not
pay him anything. This manner of pro-
cedure on the part of public officer has
lrrltated me, and when he appeared in the
court at Weaverville this month felt any
thing but amicable toward him. When be
offered his demurrer on behalf of Dr. Nc.
Mutt | objected most strenuously. The
Judge said that he would for the instant
overrule the objection, allowing Mr.. Bart
lett to state the grounds on which he ap-
Peared. Mr.. Bartlett replied that DR.. Nc
Mutt was an heir of my husbands estate
'Ah an heir, a relative, I replied; How
is that?'
"Mr. Bartlett then stated to the court
that DR.. McNutt had levied on my interest
| in my husbands property in Oakland, had
sold it at Sheriff's sale and had bought the
interest in, and consequently was an heir
Well, was alone acting as my own attor-
J ney, and | at once realized that | had g
bitter fight on my hands. / objected tc
| Mr.. Bartlett being allowed to even remain
| in the courtroom, as / was there on pro.
bate business and not on business with my
| creditors. j. G. Bols and ex-Judge G. E.
| Williams had advised me thoroughly or
the matter and fortified me with the law Of
the case. l asked the court permission &c
| leave the room and the use of his library
which he granted. When 1 returned 1 was
bulwarked by twenty-one of the California
Reports and the Code of Civil Procedure.
81 think Mr.. Bartlett was somewhat sur
prised, and the Judge, who is in very pool
health, had very weary look as he con
templated those books; however, after l
had cited the different authorities and
decisions of the Supreme Court he took the
| matter under advisement until after recess
That decision did not give me great Joy
still, | confess that l was greatly impressed
with the new-found relative in the shape Of
DIR. McNutt. l had argued to the court
that if I, as the surviving wife of John
Martin, could not, under the laws not only
of this State but of the United States
waive my right to the homestead owing tc