The San Francisco call., 1897-04-09
PAINFUL SCENE At
FAIRS DEATHBED
DR.. w. G. Miner Described
the Disgraceful Game
of Grab.
Men Carried Off Everything
Movable From the Lick
House Chambers.
Never theless the Bill Of tho Attending
Physician Was Reduced From $4,000
10 $I65o by Judge Slack.

A partial glimpse OF the remarkable
scene in the death cham Der of the late
Senator James G. Fair was disclosed by
the testimony in Judge SIack's court
while the payment of DR.. w. G. MINERS
fee was under consideration. It seems
to have been a most extraordinary
affair. Dr.. Miner, who claimed a fee of
$4,000 for his services, gave description
that will be interesting 10 other wealthy
men who are thinking of shutting off The
mortal coil under circumstances similar
to those attending Senator Fairs death
at the Lick House.
According to DR.. Miner 1t was dis
graceful spectacle. As the Senator lay
gasping his last upon the bed, men were
bundiing papers and clothing into valises,
clearing tables, making away with every
thing in sight. Even a surgical instru-
ment which DR.. Miner had laid upon the
Ia bio was taken; also the dying Senator's
watch. Charles L. Fair, DR.. Marc Leving-
ston. J. s. Angus, l.. C. Bresse, Herbert
Clark, the valet, and others were of the
party.
Some predatory strangers took advan-
taee OF the grief-stricken associates of the
dying millionaire and drove their nefari-
Gus operations to the extreme limit.
The scramble began while Fair was
breathing his last and continued after he
lad expired. The physician had removed
his coat and cuffs, lhe better to render his
professional services to the Senator, and,
he said. he found it necessary to grasp
the garments quickly to save them from
being swept away with the other articles.
DIR. Levingston was asked to corroborate
DR.. Mizner's stateme mt as to the scram bic
in the death chamb ber, ana particularly
with regard to the conduct of Angus and
Bresse. But the doctor was conservative
and refused to describe the scene unless
compelled to do 80. Judge Slack decided
that the testimony would be mmaterial.
Further testimony on this subject was
postponed till this morning.
The executors opposed the claim of DR..
Mizner on the ground that he was en-
ployed by DR.. Leyingston, and not by either
the Senator or his son. Furthermore, as
the claim includes q fee for an autopsy
and Tor EN- mbalming, they said that these
latter services were performed for the
heirs, and the bill was therefore not Justly
chargeable upon the estate. At most, they
said DR.. MiZner had no claim against the
estate TO exceed $1650.
James s. Angus was called to the stand
and examined by r. 3. Mitchell.
"Mr. Angus, you are one of the special
administrators of the Fair estate?"
II am.
"Did you have anything to do with the
appoin tment of DR.. Miner to attend Sem
ator Fair?''
81 did not"
"After the death of Senator Fair did
you make any arrangements for an au-
topsy?"
mo; I consented to one being made if
30 desired by the heirs"
But yon did not request DR.. Miner to
make one?'
mo"
AFTER the death of Senator Fair did
you remove any papers and effects from
the death chamber?'
II did"
why did you do sor'
Because thought the proper place for
them was the sale in Senator Fairs pri-
vate office. There were a good many
around, and / thought some might be
taken away"
In reply to cross-examination Mr. An.
gus said that DR.. Miner performed the
autopsy, but 1t was at the request of the