The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-27
A Witness Tells of the Old
Mans Faith in Spirit
Mediums.
MRS. LAWS POOR MEMORY
Fails to Recall Certain Incidents and
Conversations She Formerly
Testified To.

SAN JOSE, CAL., May 26.-At the call
ing of the Parker will contest this morn
ing both sides presented authorities as to
whether the testimony of Mrs. Helen Law
yesterday afternoon regarding the contents
of letter Mrs. Parker had read to her
was admissible. The court sustained the
objection and ruled that the evidence was
not admissible.
By consent of the court and counsel for
respondents Fred P. Evans, a slate writing
medium of San Francisco, was the first
witness this morning. He said his profess
sion was that of photographic, which,
he explained, meant a soul-writer. He
recognized the photograph of Parker as
that of man with whom he had frequent
sittings in 1891, 1892 and 1898.
He said Parker was believer in spiritu-
alism and anxious to develop medium
ship and had visited him for that purpose.
He had given the deceased instructions as
o how to develop as a psychographist.
On one occasion Parker was accompanied
by blond lady and they were both
deeply interested in the subject.
Evans said he produced many slate
writings through his mediumship for
Parker, and then explained the process of
putting two clean states together with
piece OF pencil between them. The inves-
Ggator would hold the states toget Their to
impart the individuality, and magically
the writing would appear. This writing
would be message from some one who
has passed beyond.
Two states were offered and Evans iden-
tilted them as coming from him and being
some OF the many which Parker took from
his parlors. The introduction of the states
IN evidence was denied, as they had no
bearing on the WILL
Mrs. Law was recalled and subjected to
severe cross examination by Mr.. Delmas
She was shown letter she wrote to Jane
Pomeroy in 1893 and asked to state its
contents. There was an objection to this
question, and 1t was sta ted by Mr.. Delmas
that 1t was simply asked as a test of the
memory OF the witness.
Judge Patterson said the witness should
not be called upon to give the substance
of any letter that she had ever written.
81 could not do that myself" said he.
"Of course the learned counsel would
not pretend to do such a thing" replied
Mr.. Delmas, land at the same time | do
not think that he would undertake to re-
late npon the witness-stand the entire sub
stance of letter that ne read over twenty
years ago. as this witness claimed to be
able to do to-day"
The objection to the question was then
oyerruled and it transpired that Mrs. Law
had no idea of the contents of letter that
she had written to Jane Pomeroy less than
three years ago.
81 understand that Marshall Pomeroy
was left good part of his estate under the
viii. | do not feel bitter against him be-
cause he brought suit against me and my
husband to recover the $1,000. ! have ex-
pressed no such bitterness" she declared.
I'm giving my deposition at Oakland I
said believed it was piece of persecu-
tion by the executors, stimulated by
Marshall Pomeroy and his sister, when
the suit to recover the $1,000 was brought
against my husband and myself. George
Parker once saiu he wanted to have what
he accumulated to go TO his own flesh and
blood. l cannot remember exactly when
and where it was he said it.
ut was brought up when he was speaking
OF his property. He said he did not want
the property to go to the Pomeroys. This
is the hrst time l have testified to that
He said he did not want his sons wife to
have anything. He said that two or three
times in three or four years."
Mrs. Laws memory was again subjected
to test. She had testified positively that
she could remember the substance of
all the ideas IN the letter that she had
'ad over twenty years ago. She was now
asked to again repeat the subs lance of the
letter, the same as she had done a few
moments before upon direct examination,
The witness now hesltated and was evil
IDENTIFY embarrassed. She said:
Il have already repeated what remem.
Der of that letter."
But l would like to have you repeat It
again." said Mr.. Delmas.
After some deliberation Mrs. Law began
to repeat the letter again. She added
number Of points and left out several that
she had given before. She stated that
Jane Pomeroy said that Ed Parker was
unhappy, that Jane Pomeroy vas ashamed
OF Mrs. Ed Parker, and then recognizing
that she had made some blunders she took
refuge in the all-embracing term of land
so FORTH"
But the words and SO forth were not
in the letter, were they ?" was asked.
They were moi" replied the witness.
II cannot give you any more of it now, 1
am tired"
IF that is the case" said Mr.. Delnas
smiiingly addressing the court, 81 cannot
continue the cross-examination of this
witness further now. An attorney is dis
armed when lady on the witness-stand
tells him she is tired
I'VE sympathize with the witness" said
Judge Spencer. at is very warm day,
Perhaps it would be as well to adjourn
now"
An adjournment was taken till this