The San Francisco call., 1896-04-30

about SIX years ago, by the knowledge that
during the past few weeks detectives have
been at work in this State endeavoring to
secure evidence to be used against Mrs.
Hulda Snell-Davis OF Tehachapi, who
claims 10 be the widow of the deceased
millionaire. and Mrs. Mary Isabella Nor
row OF Fresno and Mrs. Laura A. Calhoun
of this City, daughters of Mrs. Snell-Davis.
With what success the trial of the case,
which is expected to take place before the
summer vacation of the Montana court,
will determine.
At this juncture, too, Miss Eleanor Cal
houn, granddaughter of Millionaire Davis,
arrives from New York Yesterday she
stated that she was in hopes that COM
promise would be brought about. Miss
Calhoun has suffered from a complete loss
OF voice and comes to recruit her strength
with a period of rest in congenial sur
roundings.
Thus far the developments in this case
nave been OF most romantic and extraor-
dinary character, and the future, Judging
from the determined manner in which
the various contestants are at work, prom
lses to be productive OF even more sensa-
tional facts and incidents.
From dispatches recently out to different
parties in the United States from Helena,
Mont, it appears that Mr.. Cavanaugh,
the Montana resident attorney of Mrs.
Snell-Davis and her two daughters, is
about to bring up for trial the contest,
which he has filed on their behalf to the
will of Andrew ]. Davis.
Mr.. Davis was a man who presumably
died a bachelor, leaving a very large es-
tate, which he had amassed in Montana
and other places. 1t consists of the prin-
cipal ownership and stock of the First
National Bank of Butte City, Mont, and
the principal interest in the most promi-
nent bank of Helena, Mont. He also left
very valuable mine, which was paying
large returns, and cash in the safe deposit
vaults in Boston to the amount of over a
million and quarter
Although Mr.. Davis died in March, 1890
his estate has never got out of the hands
OF the special administrator. The reason
for this Is that some time after his death
somewhat clumsily drawn will on rough
paper, evidently hastily jotted down, came
into the possession OF a woman who had
kept 1T back.
This will was fled for probate and gave
the bulk of his property to one of his
brothers, thus cutting off six other broth
ers and i've sisters, or their descendants
who all Immediately combined, with few
exceptions, to attack the will.
There were three contests filed by three
different sets of these collateral heirs.
Robert G. Ingersoll led the contest for the
HlSt SET OF contestants ana a Jury trial en-
sued lasting over three months and at a.
cost to both sides of over 100000. Car
LOADS of witnesses were brought from diff
ferent parts of the United States and the
expenses were very great in every respect.
The trial resulted in disagreement OF the
jury, which stood, it is claimed, eight
against and four in favor of the will
On hearing of this Mr.. Root, nephew
OF Mr.. Davis, who was clerk in his bank.
claimed that MIR. Davis had made him a
gift in contemplation of his death of tin
box full OF certain bank stock, valued at
over million dollars. Judge Knowles, a
friend of the deceased, testified that he
heard Mr.. Davis tell his nephew, ''This is
for you," at the same time handing him
the box containing the securities the
lower court decided in favor of Mr.. Root,
giving him this slice of the fortune.
Ihe case has since been taken up to the
Supreme Court of Montana on appeal.
Another interesting controversy arose in
connection with the estate in behalf of Pet
Davis, claiming to be an iIIegitimate
child OF Mr.. Davis
subsequently the contestants repre-
sented by Mr.. Ingersoll settled their diff
ferences with the brother, who was given
the bulk of the estate under the will and
they filed a consent to admit the will to
probate with the understanding that the
estate was to be divided between the
brother mentioned in the will and this
particular set OF contestants to the exclu-
sion OF all other brothers and sisters.
In the meantime the other contestants