The San Francisco call., 1896-05-08
He Is Given the Sole Power
to Compromise the
Action.
MRS. sNELL-DAvIs' ROMANCE.
She Was Married When Fourteen
Years of Age, and Was Twice
Widow.


to this City few days ago. fresh from the
scenes of histrionic triumphs on European
stages, gossip declared that she had come
to compromise her claim to the millions
left by Andrew j. Davis, the Montana
millionaire. This view was given color by
the fact that Alva L. Snow, the enterpris-
ing young attorney of Fresno, who has been
active in prosecuting her suit, was seen in
the City at the same time. There were
other signs that pointed to the truth of
gossip's guess.
But Miss Calhoun declared such was not
the case, that she had nothing to COM
promise, and if the story of one who claims
to be conversant with the various moves
in the contest is true there is more in her
assertion than appears on the surface.
1t is over two years now since Mrs.
SMELL Davis, the self-declared widow of
Andrew J. Davis, and her two daughters.
Mrs. Mary Isabelle Morrow OF Fresno and
Mrs.. Laura a. Cath oun. commenced active
measures to secure recognition as heirs of
the deceased millionaire.
Just how much such recognition would
have brought them it is difficult to say
At the date of Davis death his properly
was generally estimated at near 81, 200,
but that was seven years ago, and the
mining property, of which it largely con-
sisted, has deprecated sadly, SO the pres
ent popular estimate Of about $4,005, 600 is
probably about right.
The three women in question naturally
were at sea as to the proper preliminary
steps necessary to inaugurate the contest,
Jessie Morrow, the husband of one of the
contestants, was accordingly called upon
to look after the matter.
Morrow at once set out on a search for
lawyers. Not only was legal skill requisite,
l,y1fo a1vfa ,,ofxva Gt,or L..
solutely necessary to successfully urge the
claim.
After a weary search Harry /. Thornton
OF San Francisco agreed to take the case
Before doing so, however, he wanted
fair chance OF getting something out of it.
Accordingly he drew up a contract. By
the terms of this contract Thornton was
to receive a half of any sum procured
from the estate, and was to have the sole
power of compromise. This Mrs. SHELL
Davis and her two daughters signed.
Thornton, with the assistance it is said of
General w. II. II. Hart, worked on the
matter for while, but, becoming inter-
ested collaterally in the Davis estate, he
voluntarily abandoned the contract.
Morrow was again in quandary. AT
this iuncture his attention was attracted
to Alva Z. Snow of Fresno. Mr.. Snow is
young man and was just then looming
up on the legal horizon OF the raisin CEN
ter. Morrow waited on Snow and the lat
ter agreed to take up the ontract which
Thornton has abandoned. 1t was accord
ingIy made out to him and henceforth
Snow had the sole power of compromise
and one-half contingent interest in the
claims of the heirs.
The nrst thing, of course, was to take
the affidavits of resident witnesses. The
main witness was the contesting widow.
Her deposition is said, by those who claim
to have seen 1t, to read like romance
Mrs. Snell-Davis' maiden name was
Queen, and her Christian name is Ulma.
Her parents were prosperous farming folks
OF Texas. and up to the tender age of II
her life was the uneventful round of mud
pies and broken dolls which most children
enjoy.
AT the precocious age of II Ulma's life
romance commenced. 1t was at that
period that she first met Davis.
Davis was then a lad who had Just
reached the downy mustache age. He
came along the country road leading by the
Queen farm ostensibly looking for employ
ment, though the old lady now asserts she
has information TO the effect that his main
purpose was to get where telegraph lines
were few.
A putative son of the then youth wan
ders around the country TO-DAY to give
color to the assertion, but that mars the
romance.
AT any rate, Ulma had no knowledge of
Andrews antecedents. In fact, he always
showed decided dislnclination to speak
of his past and she does not even know
where he was born. Andrew being a like
Iy-looklng young man secured work on the
Queen farm, and he at once commenced to
lay siege to the unsophisticated heart of
the youthful Uima.
For two years the fair Ulma withstood
the suit OF the romantic Andrew, but at
the end OF that time she consented Pater-
familias Queen was undoubtedly pleased
at the match, Tor he presented the happy
couple with a tract of land all fully
equipped for farming purposes. For
seven years they lived happily together,
and two children-Mary Isabel and
Laura-came to gladden. their home. Then
Andrews wandering propensities again
took possession of him and he began to
fret for pastures new.
The gold fever was then at its height
and Davis decided he must go West 1t
was in the historic year of 1S49 that he de-
serted his hearthstone, promising his wife
that she would soon hear from him. An
drew evidently forgot to write.
Weeks grew into months, and the faith
ful wife waited and fretted. Her husband
she knew was eccentric; but when months
grew into yearsand yet no word from An
drew, she was forced to believe he had de-
serted her or was among the departed. At
the end of the second year she received
word that confirmed the latter view
As the playbilis say, an interval of six
erstwhile bride of Davis is now known as
Mrs Williams, by virtue of subsequent
marriage, and is installed as mistress of
happy home at Fort TETON, Cal.
The two children, Laura and Mary, are
still with her. One day while busy about
her household duties she looks up and OBJ
serves Davis coming through the gate
Girls, she cried to her little ones, there
comes your father"
II the meeting was affectionate there is
nothing in the deposition to show it.
Davis expressed some polite sorrow at
her having filled his place so rapidly, and
she mildly reproyed him for not writing
Fortunately Williams was not at home. as |
his part in the interview might have been
painfully embarrassing. Davis stay was
brief. There really seemed little reason |
why he should linger. He told his once
wife that he was rich, and gave each of the
children gold nugget wherewith to make
a breastpin.
This was the last. time Mrs. Davis ever
saw her truant liege lord. Williams after !