The San Francisco call., 1896-06-20

at his home, 1866 Tenth avenue, East Oak
land, last night, but was extremely re-
luctant to say anything about the matter.
He finally, however. gave the history OF
the documents so far as he was acquainted
with it.
About three weeks after Senator Fairs
death, and Immediately after the Good
fellow will had been stolen, he was ap-
preached by Stephen Roberts, an old
time friend of his, who asked him some
hypothetical questions relating to the
pencil will and pencil deeds, as has since
developed. AS the result of this consulta-
ton, Mrs. Craven was introduced to Mr..
Williams. Mr.. Roberts acquaintance with
Mrs. Craven resulted from the fact that
MIR. Roberts and Mrs. Craven were both
school teachers.
Mrs. Craven at this interview informed
Mr.. Williams of the existence of both the
will and the deeds, and virtually re-
quested him to act as her counselor in the
matter.
At that time the will had been sent to
New York by Mrs. Craven, and he advised
her to produce it before the Probate Court
at the earliest possible day, and it was
this advice OF Mr.. Williams that caused
the sensational introduction of the pencil
testament into the Fair will controversy.
In response to questions Mr.. Williams
made tue following statement:
81 went out to the City Hall in San
Francisco Yesterday with Mr.. Roberts TO
have the deeds recorded | exercised
great caution in this as the documents
were in pencil and l was fearful of some of
the writing being rubbed and made illegi-
bic or possibly mutilated. l was appre-
hensive also that they might be stolen, as
was one of the Fair wills. For these rea-
sons L did not care to let the originals go
out of my hands,"
When asked in whose custody the docu-
ments are at the present time Mr.. Viii.
liams declined to state. but inferentially
it was learned that they were in his pos
session.
Were there any other witnesses to the
signing of the ceeds besides Mrs Craven,
Notary Cooney and Senator Fair2" was
asked.
Eyes, sir.''
What are their names?"
THAT | must not say"
"You know who they are?"
"Oh, yes"
did Senator Fair sign the deed in the
presence of Notary Cooney?"
THAT l cannot say, but it would not
have been necessary 20 make the documents
legal. Any one might have written Fairs
name to the documents, but his acknowl-
edgment of it before a notary as his
name would have made it his legal sigma
ture. But am sure it is Mr.. Fairs sig
n A tho Stip,a tho Haaio aNa
cuted Senator Fair was living in the Lick
House, and Notary Cooney had bis office
in that building, with OFarr4n & Co., l
believe"
"Did Mr.. CooEey state to yuu whether or
not Mr.. Fair signed the deeds in his pres
ence2"
81 did not ask him that question"
"As the signatures are in pencil, the
same as the body of the documents, is it
not fair to presume that they we're al
ready signed when presented to Notary
Cooney for acknowledgment? Had they
been signed before the notary, would not
ink have been used ?''
Yes; think. for the reason mentioned,
that the deeds were signed before being
presented to the notary"
"Are there any other deeds yet to be re-
corded2"
81 can't say"
"Why were the deeds not put on record
earlier, instead OF waiting all this whle?''
"For the same reason that she hesitated
about fling the pencil will; she did
not want the notoriety that she felt would
result. The property was perfectly safe.
No one could sell or steal it or make away
with it,"
What was the reason of her putting it
on record at this particular timer
Nothing special. But the documents
are in pencil and might become injured or
destroyed. So the deeds were put on rec
ord to provide against any such mishap."
''When did you first actually see the
deed"