The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-22
THE HASK|NS ARGUMENTS,
An Entire Day Devoted to De-
batting in the Will
Contest.
GOING TO THE JURY TODAY.
The Contestants Declare That They
Do Not Charge Mrs. Haskins
With Forgery.

There have been four attorneys actively
engaged in the contest of the James S.
Haskins will, and each of these had so
much talking to do yesterday that the case
has not been finished. Ex-senator TREY
l.. Ford wild conclude the arguments this
forenoon.
The courtroom was occupied yesterday
by greater crowd than at any of the pre-
ceding sessions. People seemed to want
oratory, and orauory was to be had. The
friends of Mrs. Haskins formed a throng
that as a lobby would have carried Leg
islature. Many attorneys, some of them
interested in the Fair litigation, remained
most of the day.
Mrs. Haskins, pleasant-faced, benevo.
lent-looking woman, whose almost snowy
hair formed sharp contrast to her black
Grape costume, was visibly affected at the
references to her thirty-two years of COM
partnership with Mr.. Haskins. She would
have broken down at times but for the
constant attention bestowed upon her by
ress, who has remained at her side through
out the long trial.
Miss Craven had promised Manager
Stockwell that she would devote the day
in court to studying up her part in MASKS
and Faces" which is to be presented at
the Columbia Theater next week. She had
her book there, but she was too faithful to
Mrs. Haskins to think of the lines she has
to learn.
The opening argument for the contes-
tants was made by William M. Abbott, the
eloquent young attorney associated with
Mr.. Ford.
"Iwish to refute statement that has
been made in this case" Mr.. Abbott be-
gan. ut has been said, and it seems to be
the common opinion, that we charge Mrs.
Haskins with forging this will. Wedo not
charge that. We have no charge to make
against this lady, and we have made none.
All that we have attempted to determine
is whether the disputed will was actually
written by James S. Haskins."
Then the attorney went over the story OF
the early life of James and William Has
kins, the brothers who came from England
and located in this State. He sought to
show that the interest of one for the other
would have induced James to bequeath a
portion of his property to William. He
concluded two hours discourse with an
argument on the Haskins handwriting.
George I. Wright, one of the attorneys
for Mrs. Haskins, in arguing on the hand
writing, declared that the contestants had
not produced any evidence at all to sup
port their allegations. They had not
even cast any doubt upon the genuineness
of the WILL he said, and that made nc
attempt whatever to break down the con.
elusive evidence of the defense.
Mrs. Haskins," he continued, chad no
motive to forge will. The property is
nearly all hers by law, and not more than
$4,000 could have been involved in any
claim of the other relatives. Mrs. Has
kins is not a woman to forge will. She
has little while yet to live, but she ex
poets that in few years at the most sht
will go to meet the husband with whom
she has lived on earth for thirty-twt
years, the best part of her life. Would SHE
go to meet the man that she loved, ane
stand before the pearly gates branded as &
forger and a felon?"
Mr.. Wright made the principal review
of the case for the defense and Attorney
Deuprey devoted his eloquence particu,
larly to scorching arraignment of the
nephews and their main witness, Mr.
Heintser of Forest City, for the charge;
they made against the widow. Witness
Heintzer was numerically handled fol
the declarations that he made in relation
to Mr.. and Mrs. Haskins, at whose house
he had often been a guest, and Deuprey
charged him with being inspired by de.
sire to assist the nephews, with whom he
does business.
Ex-senator Ford began strong addres:
late in the afternoon, and he win again
take up the argument at 10 o'clock to-day