The San Francisco call., 1896-11-24
A Queer Custom of Signing All
Kinds of Odd Names Save
His Own.
CONTEST FOR THE LETTERS.
Revelations Made Public in a Suit by
Jerome Caldwell Against
Charles L. Fair.

A suit filed by Delmas & Shortridge yes
terday in a case where benson & De Haven
are of counsel throws more sidelights on
the character of the late James G. Fair
than anything that has ever yet been
printed. The case is that of Jerome
Caldwell VS.. Charles L. Fair to compel
the delivery of many of the late Senator
Fairs letters.
The lights and shadows IN the public
and private life of the Senator, his man
ner of corresponding and his methods of
judging men and things appear quite
fully in ninety-four letters, which are the
subjects of the suit.
The letters were written to Jerome Cald-
well, Senator Fairs trusted agent and per-
sonal friend, during the period from n O.
vember, 1853, to June, 1894.
The suit is by Jerome Caldwell, now of
Los Angeles, against Charles l.. Fair. The
petition alleges that the plaintiff is the
owner CT the letters in question, copies of
which are set forth in schedule attached
to the complaints; that between Janu-
ary 10 and July 1. 1895, the plain
tiff at the request of Charles
L. Fair, intrusted the latter with
the care and custody of the letters, un-
der defendants promise that he would
return the same on request. The object
of the loan was to make a comparative
study of 'the pencil will, and it was after
an examination of these letters that the
authenticity of the pencil will was ad-
mitted.
On the 23d Of Novem Der, so the allega-
tions run, the plaintiff demanded of de-
fendant that he return the letters, but he
refused to do so, land in violation of his
promise retains possession of them" 1t
is further alleged that the letters are of a
private character, for which reason it is
hard to ascertain their pecuniary value
The com plalnt, therefore, prays that spe-
cific delivery of the letters De com peled.
Many OF the late Senator's epistles treat
of matters not discussed in polite society,
the language being coarse and often posi-
lively vulgar. In moments of anger or
when discussing persons whom he did not
ike, the millionaire Senator let none GO
unwhipped of what he considered Justice
though 1t was often a rude justice he ad-
ministered.
The writer loved small gossip, and
listened to scandals with an eager and a
hungry ear-if they affected people he
knew. He often discussed family matters !;
often inquired for small gossip of peoples
doings and sayings, and was cunning
about divulging facts about his own move
ments and intentions.
OF punctuation and capitalization the
stern millionaire knew nothing though his
spelling was usually correct. A popularity
was the absence OF almost every punctua-
ton mark except the dash, but he used
that IN few instances, his sentences run
ming along for great lengths without the
ign OF stop for breath, or fall of the
voice.
Another popularity is seen in his use of
strange nicknames or mons de plume for
himself. many OF the eplstles being signed
'Shaw's Flat" or ''Whimtown," ard one
or two "Fawning." The name "Whim-
town" was one of his favorites, as was
''Shaw's Flat
1t is hardly probable that the writer be-
leved such signatures would hide his
identity, but he took strange delight in
designating himself in this odd way
Taken as whole the letters show q
stern current of common sense, but a
marvellous Httleness in many things or a
love of studying small things. Even in
matters political he inquired for the opin-
ion OF "old Smith, the blacksmith" or OF
some equally unlmp portant political fac.
tor, and often asked his correspondent to
keep him informed about small ings.
THE CALL presents number of the let
ters complete, and the reader may learn
from them many peculiarities of the man
ofvast resources and many millions.
The following letters, partially corrected
and punctuated sufficiently to make them
plain, a thing Fair did not think
worthy of attention, show some ot
the late Senator's characteristics In treat
ing of matters affecting his political inter.
ests. They show minute study of small
local situations, a great desire 10 know
the attitude OF men of small influence in
politics, and memory for wrongs These
TWO are typical of many and are SUBJ
mitted as fair samples of corresponding ce
that extends over many years:
PALACE HOTEL J
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct TO- 1880
Jerome Cdld,0eu Esq: received your Letter
but 1t did not contain the inform tion de.
sired 1 am aware smith is not Democrat
but desire to know if he was friendly outside
of politics you should have wrote more
said more did you talk with him lately &
what did he say? Spend few moments in
writing. l have spent many hours in your in
1erest when hard pressed for time. Yours in
haste, J. G. FAIR
Nevada block, San Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO, October 6, 1880.
Jerome CdIdtUelL: wish you would make 8
friendly call on Joseph Smith, the blacksmith
near the Ophir, and see if he is friendly to me
in the coming election, then drop me a line tc
No. Nevada block, San Francisco, when
return, then call and see me- Yours.
]. G. FAIR
The following letter shows the Senator