The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-23

marks commanded attention.
II used to visit Mrs. Garcelon once
week. 1 knew her for ten years. She was
my husbands cousin" And the little
woman had introduced herself.
when / went to see her just before she
died she said, speaking feeby, Pm very
sick woman; l hope I'll get well.
I've made great mistake; l want
to change my will That was the
last time I ever saw her alive"
What do you know of Henry Rodgers
relations with DR.. Merritt?" asked Phil
brook.
That's very embarrassing question,
and I'd rather not answer it, replied the
fearless witness, turning a questioning
look toward Judge Hawley. But the story
came, though the court reporter was told
he need not take it down.
well" began the witness, "between
the 1st of January and the 30th my hus-
band and l called at DR.. Merritt's and
Henry Rodgers came In, evidently from
some talk about business matters. The
doctor was very angry. He went to his
desk and got some papers and said it was
very strange the books and papers did not
show an accounting of $500 from Robert
Louis Stevenson for the use of the yacht
Casco on the trip to the South seas.
"Mr. Rodgers made no reply, took the
papers and left the house. The doctor began
swearing and said Rodgers had not dealt
honestly with him.
Mrs Garcelon said, Ssh, Samuel don't
say anything about it, and Miss Nc
Cellan spoke and the doctor said, Shut up;
it's none of your business
There was great surprise and indigna-
ton by Mrs. Garcelon when she found that
Henry Rodgers was an executor OF the
doctors will, when the doctor hated him
as he did, and she thought there must
have been another Will.
"She said she thought Henry Rodgers
stole from DR.. Merritt. And once she told
me that Henry Rodgers said TO the doctor,
For Gods sake, doctor, don't expose it; it
will ruin me. I'll make good every cent
of it.
"She was surprised at DIR. Merritt's be-
quest to the Old Ladies Home and said she
did not believe in that kind of charity.
Eyes, 1 swear positively that Mrs. Gar
celon said she would never give her prop
erty to charity.
Zone morning Mrs. Garcelon asked
Stephen for $3.50 and when he returned
from the bank he growled. out. How much
did you say?" and she said $3.50 We'll,
here is 5000; it's like pouring water into
rat hole to give you money
81 consider that he was insoent and |
told Mrs. Garcelon SO. If | had been Mrs.
Garcelon he'd have had his walking papers
right then and there" said the witness
with much asperlty.
remarked Judge Hawley.
zone Sunday Mrs. Garcelon told me
they didn't have turkey any more, be-
cause Stephen said it was too d extrav-
agant.
Answering another line of questions
Mrs. Purinton went on Mrs. Garcelon
said to me, My business is all arranged
now, but it cost me a heap of money,
Nellie. l paid Stanly $4,000, when he
told me he would do the work for moth
ing She had already given him $25, 900
for settling with the boys
II considered Mrs. Garcelon a stubborn
woman. What! You don't know the diff
| ference between firm and stubborn" re-
torted the witness to a question by Phil
| brook; and that exponent of legal learn
ing shrank away from this young woman's
surprise at his ignorance. "a stubborn
person Will do thing, no matter what the
consequences"
eDo you know why Miss Mcclellan left
Oakland?' asked Philbrook, changing the
subject.
''She was advised to do so, so she told
| me-"
I. w. Taber took the stand and iderti-
fed photograph taken OF Mrs. Garcelon
| in 1880.
mo, that is not her natural hair. Mrs.
Garcelon wore wig. Her neck was
| badly Shrunken and she dressed 1t high to
cover it up. The whole negative was re-
touched to smooth the wrinkles out"
Henry Rodgers left his chair that he has
occupied faithfully every day of the trial
and took the stand. He denied that there
had been any accusation of dishonesty in
his dealings with DIR. Merritt, and said
that he had been supplanted for economy's
sake.
When Miss Mcclellan left for South
Africa in 1892 she left some of her property
and her will with Henry Rodgers. He
does not know where she is now, and has
not heard anything from her for over six
months.
year after she left Judge Stanly sem
a telegram to her in South Africa to return
and be a witness in this case.
Miss Mcclellan received a legacy o.
$4,000 from DR.. Merritt, and Rodgers
loaned it for her to friend of his, but sc
far only $1,000 has been paid back.
Since Miss Mcclellan left she has re
ceived only that $1,000 and the $1,000 she
started with.
"Do you know whether Miss Mcclellan
is living or not?" questioned Philbrook.
~ do not"
"And you have her property in YOU
hands and have not looked for her for si1
months ?'
The case will go on this morning, wher
the compliments may have a chance te
| mt some of their witnesses on the stand