The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-27

trial, they took seats on opposite sides of
the table and were equally energetic in
their antagonism.
Another crowd OF interested listeners
greeted the opening of the third day.
proceedings OF the Davis estate contest.
The most entertaining feature of the day
was the testimony of Alexander Bovd,
surviving partner of Mr.. Davis. Alihough
confessing to rs years of sunshine and
shadow Mr.. Boyd is hale and hearty, and
gave his testimony in manner that gave
a hint of the strong character that is the
distinguishing mark of so many Of the
pioneers of the S ate.
At tie close OF Tuesdays proceedings
John M. Curtis, husband OF Mrs. Belle
Curtis, one of the proponents of the will.
was on the witness-sland, having been
subjected to the questioning OF lawyers,
friendly and hostile, for two solid days.
Mr.. knight began his redirect exam
ination of Witness Curtis By calling his
attention to certain testimony given by
him in regard to keys found in the safe in
remem oered the circumstances attending
the finding of the keys. The only Key he
obtained at that time was key to the safe
which contained the ashes of Mrs. Davis.
He took the key to the Davis residence,
408 Post street, where there were three
safes, and searched until he found the sale
that the key would open.
Several apparent discrepancies in the
direct testimony of Mr.. Curtis were taken
up ana explanations were asked for by Mr.
knight. The doubts and difficulties were
pretty thoroughly discussed, and at last it
was agreed by Curtis and Mr.. Boyd
10 open the copper urn contain
ing the ashes of Mrs. Davis for the
purpose of finding will if one existed,
because search in other directions had
been Intellectual.
Mr.. knight asked that Mr.. Curtis make
a tracing of the signature of Jacob r. Da-
Wis as it appeared in the so-called wife
will. in which all the estate was devised
to Mrs. Davis, who died before he did.
Mr.. Campbell! objected to having the
witness put to the inconvenience of writ
ing with his paper up against the window
pane. He said it was not material as evil
dence. anyhow.
Mr.. knight said that he wanted to prove
that the alleged will here offered for pro-
bate could be produced by this witness by
tracing from the original writings that
were in the possession of Mr.. Curtis.
MI Campbell-Thats nonsense
Mr.. Knight could do it myself. Give me
the original and 1 will guarantee to repro
duce it here in court in ten minutes.
Mr.. CampbelI-lf you can do that you are a
dangerous man 10 be at large in the commu-
nifty.
Mr.. Knight-Not at all. There are thou
sands VINO can do the same. 1t is simple
thing. Anybody can do it.
Mr.. Campbell-So that 1t will not be de-
tected as a forgery?
Mr.. Knight-Ah, that Is another matter
That is the question to be settled here.
1t was finally agreed that Mr.. Curtis
should be excused from making the pro-
posed tracing until a convenient pane OF
glass could De procured.
George ii. Mastick, one of the attorneys
Tor the proponents OF the will, was called
by Mr.. Knight and was asked to give his
opinion OF the habits of the deceased. Mr..
MasticS said that the firm of which he is
member had been legal advisers 10 Mr..
Davis Tor great many years. He ad-
mitted that tine dead man might have
been what some people call cranky. but
be regarded him as careful business
man. He knew little of the alleged hoh.
bies OF Mr.. Davis and never knew of his
relations with the various public societies
of the City except what he read In the
newspapers. He read that Mr.. Davis
assisted In the prosecution OF Jake Lindo
who was accused of cruelty 10 animals
and that Mr.. Davis had applied to be ap.
pointed Poundmaster in order that he
might carry out his ide4s in regard to a
humane management Of that institution.
John Something's visit to San Francisco
was next inquired into, and Mr.. Mastick
admi ted that he has in his possession a
paper that was handed TO him by Mr..
Senderling. Mr.. knight intimated that
This paper is writing purporting to be