The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-11
THAT Child OF
JAMES G. FAIR.
The UNKNOWN SON WILL CONTEST
FOR A PORTION OF THE
ESTATE.
HE HAS BEEN BROUGHT HERE.
HISTORY OF THE INSIDE FACTS OF
THE SETTLEMENT OF HIS
BIRTH.

That James G. Fair Sr., deceased had a
son born out of wedlock who is likely to
come forward and, through documentary
evidence, claim share of the estate, there
is no dispute. Whether the proviso in the
will against such claimants will stand good
remains to be seen.
IL is a well-known fact among the resi-
dents of Virginia City that in the early
sos Fair had trouble with a woman, which
resulted in misunderstanding between
himself and wife. That disagreement was
not the final termination of the events
which led up to the ultimate divorce, but
had a certain bearing upon the case.
very pretty, but innocent girl, was en-
gagged by Mrs. Fair as dreSsmaker to pre-
pare certain gowns to be used in society
events III Virginia City in the latter part of
1879 and 1880. She was a stranger to the
majority of the residents of the lively
mining town, but had an air of attraction
which won the hearts of all who came in
contact with her.
She had been working for the wife of the
manager and principal owner of the Com
stock for some time when her employer
left for a trip to San Francisco and the
southern part of the State. Sufficient
work had been outlined to keep the seam
stress busy, and while performing the
labor outlined for her by her mistress she
fell to the honeyed words of her employers
husband.
1t was not long before the indiscretion on
the part of the seamstress became ap-
parent. She at that time had friend
who was acquainted with William Ger
hardt, the old-time stage-driver, known as
Curly Bill" Curly was intimately ac-
quainted with the man who was response
bic for the condition of the seamstress and
who had been the representative of the
pnTNIp Of in nj n6 tq pc
Senate.
Through mutual friend Curly learned of
the girls condition and the facts were made
known to Fair. He (the millionaire) dele
gated Gerhardt to square the case" with
Miss Annie Stevens, as the woman was
known. Gerhardt, who is now foreman of
Bridges stables, 400 Post street, gave the
woman $40 with which to help herself out of
the dilemma He reported progress to
Fair, and upon the following day received
an agreement, written by Fair, and $500 in
cash to give the woman and secure her
signature to the document, by which Fair
was to be released from all further obliga-
tons The cash was paid over and the
woman, who was enceinte, left the mining
town at once, after signing the agreement.
According to the story told by Gerhardt
Miss Stevens returned to Virginia City
shortly before her confinement and asked
further assistance. In this instance the
uIpIOlldIlC IdSt1So vi JOl1D GI1C
bonanza king, was called upon. This
gentlemen paid over to the girl sum
of money aggregating $4,000, and re-
ceived release from Miss Stevens of all
claims for support of herself and child for
all time to come upon James G. Fair. That
agreement is in the possession of Mr..
Fairs old friends.
AS soon as the settlement, as the
money payment was called, had been con-
cluded Miss Stevens was taken to Sacra-
mento, where a boy was born. With the
1000 received through John Mackay the
woman was enabled to live in parative
ease and rear the boy well. In order to do
this. it is said, she moved to Chicago,
where James G. Fair Jr., as the mother
styled him, has been educated.
When the telegraphic dispatches APP
peared in the Eastern papers announcing
the death of James G. Fair, ex-United
States Senator from Nevada and multi
millionaire of San Francisco, it was no
surprise to James G. Fair Jr.," as he had
been appraised by private telegram of the
fact and instructed to proceed at once to
the Pacific Coast. He is now in this city,
or within fifty miles of here, and will be
ready to present his claim to a share in the
estate at the proper time. 1t is proposed
to present the document drawn up by
Fair at the time Miss Stevens released him
from further obligations and also to cause
the final agreement made between the
mother of the boy and John Mackay
to be brought out.
The hackers of the boy have known of
his existence since the day of his birth and
have been in constant communication with
the only parent who ever owned him be-
fore the world. They now have the boy
where they can produce him in court at any
time the attorneys advise.
The story, well known nearly twenty
years ago throughout California and Ne
UaH3 had hpan f0rUnttan nv the world II
was enough that Mrs. Fair had secured a
legal separation from her husband and had
been forgiving enough to walk with him,
arm in arm. in the streets of Virginia City
after being divorced. And then for nearly
two decades the estate decided to the
parted wife was managed by Fair himself.
There really did not seem to be much be-
tween them-only in one instance-Sena-
tor Fair had been proved, at least in his
wife's mind, to be false in his marital rela-
tions.
The matter was sedulously hushed up
and so it came to be forgotten. The woman
was comfortably settled for life and her
little son had fortune placed at his dis
posal. AS time passed, it is said, she mar
RED and is now respectable member OF
society at Sacramento.
People who are familiar with the story
were surprised to learn that either the boy
or his mother would come out and. regard
less of consequences, make public fight
for part OF the Fair millions; but 1t Is said
that they would not think of making this
fight had not their minds been influenced
by friends who lead them to believe it pos
slble to get more money than they ever
dreamed of possessing. A firm of attor-
neys in Sacramento has taken hold of the
case and it is understood will push it with
energy, as the inducements offered are
known to be very considerable.