The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-03
SAN FRANCISCO ITEMS,
How a Local SherIo OK Holmes
Succeeds in Finding
Heirs.
TWO CLAIMANTS TO $40, 600
Money That Was Left by: a Man
Who Was Drowned in:
- 1862.

There is a romantic story in connection
with q deposit of S19, 600 in the Savings and
Loan Society; which dates back to 1862, but
which came to light a short time ago. The
litigation over the deposit has been com
menced by rival heirs, and it is likely that
bitter fight for the money will be waged.
In August, 1894, Attorney Oscar T.
Shuck,s attention was attracted to an I'M
claimed deposit. of S17,752, standing in the
name of Alexander Smith in the bank
named. Many persons had attempted to
solve the mystery of Smiths long silence,
but without success. Mr.. Shuck deter
mined, if possible, to locate the heirs, if
any existed, realizing, of course, that in
accomplishing this result a fat fee would be
his reward. =. =:
= Onconsulting the Directory for 1862 Mr..
.Shucll found that one Alexander Smith
had lived at 233 Stevenson street, but his
occupation was not given. This deposltor
had placed $1,000 in the bank on March "a,
1862, and that he was an illiterate man was
evidenced by his scrawling signature.
+. Failing to find any definite trace OF Smith
in this city Mr.. Shuck concluded that he
had persisted and he began a systematic
examination of the files of newspapers
subsequent to the date of March "a. In
the Bulletin of August appeared a long
account of the burning of the Pacific Mail
steamship Golden Gate off the Mexican
coast on July 81, 1852, and among the
names of the passengers lost appeared that
of : "a. Smith, wife, wife sister and four
children. Was this the Alexander Smith
who had made the deposit? In. the. same
issue of the Bulletin was.a statement that
a 17-year-old daughter of A. Smith; named
Jane was to leave on the next steamer for
Brooklyn. =. -.
Attorney Shuck advertised extensively
for information concerning relatives of
Alexander Smith, and especially the sup
posed daughter Jane. He reported the
result of his investigation to the attorneys
of the bank from time TO time, but early in
February last he was surprised to discover
that Jane NJ. Harvey had filed an applica-
ton for letters of administration UPON the
estate, sa ylIg that she was the daughter
and sole heir of the deceased A. Smith.
The attorney was satisfied that the long
looEed-for heir had been found, until he
received q letter from DIR. w. D. Smith of
.Calistoga. He represe nted that his brother
Alexander had lived at 233 Stevenson
street In this city in 1862, and that the
$1,000 which he had deposited in the hank
did not belong to. him at all; but to- the
writer, DR.. Smith. - r.
DR.. Smith came Ito. this city at once and
conferred. NlLtl Attorney .SHucKr :W1Jn:Ine
result that the conclusion was reached that
Jane Haryey's claims could not besub-
staptiate6f.: Or. Smith has resided in Cali
I fornfa since 1873. Before his: brotherle
Garden City. Mimi, Mhere:they resided ON
|. july /, 1861, he gave his brother $1,000 to
invest in. California. He shows a receipt
and letter, signed by Alexander Smith,
dated in. this city March 60 1862,:announc-
I ing that:the writer had put the money in
| bank at interest From that time DIR.
Smith, heard nothing further of his brother
until he: saw a potiee"of the case in the
/: CALI in December last. -.
+: Attorney Shuck is contesting Jane Har-
veyfs application orierters of: adm inistra-
ton aopthe ground that she is not what
she. processes to be. In her petition she
says that she is 4s years of age, but Attor-
.ney Shuok says she is at least 90. Smith
was born in 1s27and to be the father of
Jane Harvey he must have married at the
age of IS years. The attorney says. he has
proof that the. marriage of Smith. took
place several; years later:
Tits likely that the. case will become oefe-
brated: Jane Harvey is, living in retire
nlent IN Oakland and steadily refuses to, see
REPORTERS DR.. Smith has gone to Calls
toga an search of further evidence to estah-
lish his claim to the deposit. On his. re
turn in a few days. the legal battle will be
':raeirT1a efl: