The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-18
THE LAST WILL
OF MRS, DONAHUE
Many Charitable Institu-
lions Are to Be
Benefited.
Memorial Library, to Cost
100000, for st. Ignatius
College.
]. Downey Harvey and Mrs. Martin
Get Millions-BaronesS Won Schroe.
der Almost Ignored

Inc Will OF L0o ldle Auulo
widow OF Peter Donahue and mother of j..
Mervyn Donahue has been filed for pro-
bate. 1t is an elaborate instrument, deal
ing explicitly with all the affairs of the
testator The will was prepared by Mrs.
Donahue with great care and the executors
named are Eleanor Martin, ]. Downey
Harvey and Alexander Fl. Tough borough,
the latter being one of the testato-'s legal
advisers for many years.
It is estimated that the estate will
amount to not less than 100000.
The instrument bears date of May II,
1895. 1t provides literally for advancing
the interests of religious and charitable
objects and institutions, besides bestow-
ing rich legacies on relatives. Baroness
Won Schroeder, stepdaughter of the de-
ceased is not so literally remembered as
was expected, and some of the younger
relatives are to receive their shares
through their parents.
The first public object mentioned in the
will is ST. IgDatius College. to the trustees
of which is bequeathed 500, 900 for The
formation of library to be called the
Donahue Library, in memory of her hus-
band. 1t is to be free to Catholic young
men. For helping to care for the library
an additional $4,000 is granted.
The fifth paragraph of the will is of
interest to great many public lnstltu-
tions, as the sum of 100000, While be-
Queathed to Archbishop Riordan, is
evidently intended to be distributed in
accordance with the expressed wish of the
testator in these words:
give and bequeath TO the Most Reverend
Patrick William Riordan, at present Roman
Cathoiic Archbishop of San Francisco, or in
case OF his death or ceasing to be such Arch
DlShOD. then 10 the person who. at the time OF
the distribution of my estate, shall be actually
exercising the functions OF Roman Catholic
Arch bishop of San Francisco, the sum Of $780,
600. This bequest is made to such Archbishop
as an individual, and not as corporation, for
his own use and toI the purpose OF enabling
him to contribute Decomingiy TO charitable
and religious objects and purposes. If il were
certain that the law of California permitted
me to do so, would like to leave $40, 600 for
the benefit of the new Roman Catholic Cathe-
dral of San Francisco, $1,000 for the benefit Of
st. Roses Church iii the City and County of
San Francisco, $4,000 for the benefit of st.
Brendans Church in the same City and Coun-
ty and $4,000 for the benefit of the Roman
Catholic church in San Rafael, Marin County,
Tor the maintenance of parocbia schools in
those four parishes respectively. would also
ike to leave $4,000 Tor the benefit of ST. Pc
ter's Church in Cloverdale, Sopoma County
$4,000 Tor the benefit of the Roman Catholic
Orphan Asylum in Los Angeles, $4,000 for the
benefit of the Catholic church in Bryantown,
Charles County, Md; $4,000 for the benefit OF
the Sisters of the Holy Family of the City and
OF the Sisters of the PTesen tatiOn Convent on
Powell street, $4,000 for the benefit of the
Boys Directory, now under the direction of
Rev. Father Crowley in San Francisco; so 900
tor the erection OF & memorial chapel IN the
memory of my deceased husband, Peter
Donahue, in connection with the Old La
dies Home. and should such memorial
chapel be erected before my death the $l0,-
900 proposed for that purpose to go to the use Of
the Old Ladies' Home, III charge of the said
Sisters; $4,000 for the general benefit of the
Roman Catholic OTOhan ASVlum in San Fran
cisco; $4,000 more in aid OF the department.
thereof for oder girls, lately established at
the southwest corner OF Geary and Cough
streets in San Francisco land called the Teen
nical SCHOOL,; another $4,000 in aid of the de-
partment for infants in South San Francisco
fcalled st. JoSeph'S Roman Catholic Orphan
Asylum: $4,000 for the benefit of st. Vim
cents Orphan Asylum in Marin County
$1,000 for the use of the Magdalen Asylum,
under the charge of the Sisters of Mercy, ana
$4,000 for the benefit of the Protestant Or
phan Asylum of the City and County of San
Francisco; but as such requests, or most of
them, if made, might be deemed illegal,
l recommend the several churches and
institutions above named to the said Most
Reverend Archbishop as, in my opinion,
highly worthy OF his care, consideration nd
support. Having heretofore donated to the
Most Reverend Arch bishOp P. w. Riordan Ger
tain property intended to form an endowment
for a chair in his theological seminary, now,
at his request, devise and bequeath to him the
oil portraits of my late husband and of myself,
when hang on the wall of my present resi-.
uence. L also ulreCL Gly executors 10 keep the
family vault, where rest the remains OF my
late husband and his son, j. MeTvyn Donahue
and others of his family in good repair, appro
priating for that purpose whatever sums may
be necessary in conjunction with my daugh-
ter, the wife OF Baron J. H. Won Schroeder, OF
alone, If, tor any reason, 1t be necessary to dis
pense with her cooperation. also dirccl
them (unless shall have done 1T In my life
tme) TO enter into contrac. with the Gene
terry authorities or some other competent
body, f0r the permanent care and preservation
n n q m Sf11D II.
vance for proper undertaking OF that kind
from such parties.
Winnifrede Martin, sister OF the testator
is granted $4,000 q year during her life; tC
Mrs. G. G. Farrell $500 a year under like
conditions; and to Rosalie Gately and
Minnie Gately 5000 year.
Baroness Won Schroeder, mentioned bv
The testator as her stepdaughter, is tc
have the family busts and pictures, and
with this exception, Mrs. Eleanor Martin
is TO take the household goods, horses
carriages, etc. The residuary legatees
are Mrs. Eleanor Martin and ]. Downey
Harvey, Mrs. Martin to have three fifths
and Mr.. Harvey two-ffths. Mr. Martin
is to receive $500 month and Mr.. Har.
vey $3.50 q month until the estate is
settled.
Some sage admonition is bestowed on
the nephews OF the testator in these words
I would gladly leave a large part of my es.
tate 10 my GEAR nepheWs, Peter ID. Martin
Walter S. Martin and Andrew d. Martin al
once, but the possession of wealth BY young
people independent of their parents has caused
the ruin OF so many that deem il better fol
their own interest to leave them, SO far as am
able, dependent on the loving care OF iheil
mother, TO whom l trust they will always con
tinue to be dutiful and obedent.
In a codicil it is provided that Mrs. Mar.
tins interest in the residuary estate shall
erminate at her death, and that Peter
Walter and Andrew Martin shall inheri
he property IN equal proportions.
The testator joins with Eleanor Martin
and Winniirede Martin in contributing
$3.50 for the support of the Astronomical
observatory at Georgetown College. d. c.
The application for the admission of the
will to probate will be hearu in Judge
Slack's court on the 29 inst.