The San Francisco call., 1896-06-25
Their Recording Designed as a
Checkmate by Mrs. Craven'S
Attorneys.
WERE IN FEAR OF TREACHERY
Details of the Compact Between tht
Fair Children and the School
Principal.

record at this particular time the two deeds
TO S1,250,OOO worth of property formerly
owned by Senator James G. FairI
In the answer to this lies story as ro-
mantle and sensational as anything ever
evolved from brain of poet or writer OF
fiction.
This is one of the questions that has
been repeatedly asked since that eventful
dav last week when the documents were
so cautiously, mysteriously and unexpect-
edly made known to the world at large.
Up to now this apparently simple, in
significant and inoffensive interrogatory
has remained unanswered.
On the part of Mrs. Craven and her at
torneys the replies have persistently been
of an evasive character.
On the part of the attorneys of the Fair
children, who are now all arrayed against
Mrs. Craven, Marc Levingston and the
pencil will of September "a, 1894, it has
been charged that Mrs. Craven's legal rep
resentatives had the papers recorded at
this time because of the illness or absence
OF most of the attorneys OF the heirs from
the City. This gauzy explanation, how
ever carried little weight with the know
ing ones, as they knew no advantage could
accrue from such move, even were every
one of the legatees' counsel away or in
capacitated.
This is the true explanation: The Fair
children, through their attorneys were
endeavoring TO give Mrs. Craven the
"doubl-ecross." Such is the charge made
by an intimate of that lady. And Mrs.
Craven filed those deeds as a checkmate.
- Ia
Fair will drama dates from the sensational
introduction into that realistic play of
what is known as the pencil will, of which
she declared she had been made custodian.
That instrument bore date of September
"a, 1894, having been executed apparently
three days later than the so-called trust
will, which bore date of September 81, 1894.
At the time the pencil will was produced
it was eagerly welcomed by CharlesL. Fair,
Mrs. Oelrichs and Miss Virginia Fair, and
its validity ana genuineness loudly pro-
claimed by them and their attorneys. The
trust deed was objectionable owing to the
trust clause, which placed the estate and
all its properties under the control of the
executors, leaving only the income at the
free and unrestricted disposal of the heirs.
When Mrs. Craven produced the will it
is stated that she also informed the Fair
children, of course through their attor-
neys, of deeds to certain of Fairs real
estate and other valuable documents that
were in her possession. The heirs were at
that time more concerned about the will
than any other matter, and Mrs. Craven
was finally induced to make the journey
to New York herself and bring back the
pencil will which she had sent East, as
she stated, for better security.
During Mrs. Craven's absence, SO the
story goes, there was a conference be-
tween Stephen Roberts, the confidential
business adviser of Mrs. Craven, and
George R. Williams, her attorney, on one
side and all the attorneys representing
the three Fair children on the other. 1t
was at this meeting that what is being re-
ferred to as the Dey contract was agreed
upon and consummated.
This document bears date of March Is,
1895. It is a unique paper and throws
strong light on recent developments. 1t
was drawn in the Office of Reuben II.
Lloyd. By mutual consent at this meet
ing Richard V. Dey, the executor and ad-
ministrator of the estate of Mrs. Theresa
Fair, is made judge, jury and arbitrator of
the interests at issue between Mrs. Craven
and the Fair children.
In the same document Mr. Dew is au-
thorized by the Fair children to pay Mrs.
Craven a sum not exceeding $500, 900 on
condition that the pencil will is admitted
to probate and that she agrees to sign a
quitclaim to any and all property of the
Fair estate, wherever located and of what
ever character. So broad is the latter
stipulation that it would so it is claimed,
cover any rights to property which might
accrue to Mrs. Craven by reason of her
proving to be the widow of the deceased
millionaire, either by marriage contract or
otherwise, for while none of the parties
interested have admitted the existence of
a marriage contract, it is admitted that the
Fair children greatly feared that such
document might be produced.
The value of Mrs. Craven's claims and
the amount to be paid in settlement of
them was left entirely to the judgment
and generosity of Mr. Dey. in whom all
parties had and still have the fullest con-
fidence.
No copies were made of this instrument,
as 1t was desired by every yone interested to
maintain the strictesr secrecy regarding