The San Francisco call., 1897-03-05
Won BACK HIS
FORTUNE, Then DIED
Peculiar Story of a Quarrel
Between Brother and
Sister.
Coincidence Like That Which
Distinguishes the Quack.
enbush Case.
Robert Bright Had Given His All 10
His Sister and Then Re.
GREETED It.

Inc burial of the remains of Robert
Bright from Masonic Temple Wednesday
afternoon closed another chapter of a
peculiar story from real life.
As long ago as June, 1896, Robert
bright's sister, Mrs. Mary Craig, pur-
chased beautiful coffin in anticipa ton of
thls occasion, but between that date and
the date OF the funeral such breach had
grown up between the two that the coffin
was not used. Another and equally hand
some casket was purchased by the Masons,
and over 1t Mrs. Craig and her family
upon the one side and the other relatives
ana legatees upon the other the contend
1ng factions OF the family glared upon one
Another.
When Mrs. Craig purchased the coffin
she was, by voluntary deeds from him, in
possession of Bright's entire estate, worth
Soo uVV' As she sat beside the coffin yes
teraay she had a clear title to but So in
nao been already filed. All the rest had
been Wrested from her by judgment of
the court.
s1he case had been bitterly contested be-
tore Judge Hebbard and had barely been
nnlshed and the Judgment secured against
Inc sister, recovering 10 the brother the
estate %hlcn he had given her, when he
SZooOo IN cash. as we'll as some valuable
TeaI estate. He was 70 years of age and,
ms wife being long dead and childless, he
nad Deen living for fifteen years past with
ms sister. Mrs. Craig, at 1431 Pine street.
Mrs Craig. n years OF age, is the widow
OF Billy Craig, who was at one time
famous Tor hot Scotches dealt out at his
resort at IDnnOnt NJ
In June, 1895. Robert Bright was stricken
with partial paralysis, and thinking he
was about to die he handed over his
oankoook, putting cash for nearly $4,000 at
the San Francisco Savings Union and
over $4,000 In the German Savings Bank
TO her name He also decided her vau-
able lot on Pacific street. as well as other
property, with the proviso that she was to
iulhl from thesum certain bequests which
he specified.
Ii was at that time that Mrs Craig pur-
chased the beautiful casket. Not only
that but monument to mark the grave
OF his wife as we'll was designed and
ordered. At these attentions Mr. Bright
Is said to have been much pleased.
But Mr.. Bright did not die. Indeed, his
condition very materially improved, inso-
much that there was no telling how long
ne might live. The lower half of his
BODY, however, was dead and he could
A4Ob A4-OFG mlLnOLI dbs@5IduG6 HIS blSI6T
could not be with him constantly. In fact
his many wants overtaxed her household
and her rpaUence. He himself insisted |
nat he must have a nurse night an dav |
Aand against this Mrs. Craig protested, as
Ibeing an inexcusable expense. She also
declined 10 further cook his meals, and
he was compelled 10 get one of his tenants,
Mrs. Flockhari, residing over on Broad
way and Pacific street, to cook and bring
them to him. Finally, tn nurses being
discharged by Mrs. Craig. Mr.. Bright had
Himself removed to Mrs. Flockhart's
house. He demanded of his sister that
she return the money he had given her,
but she refused and also refused to pay
for the nurses
Bright then engaged Charles L. Patton
as MS attorney TO bring suit for the recov-
cry of the money. The case was tried be-
fore Judge Hebbard, and few days ago
Judgment was rendered in Bright's favor.
This, as stated. had hardly been accom-
plsheG when Bright died. Indeed, the
findings OF the court have not been en-
tered, and the counsel for Mrs. Craig. F.
5. Castlehun, will insist upon technical
right to have the case retired on the
ground that the plain tiff's death occurred
before the trial was finished-the same
point that is being raised in the Quack-
en- bush case.
Brlghtis attorney, Patten, says he has
no fear that this will be done as the tes-
tinony was all in and the court had rem
dered Judgment. He will merely substi-
tute the names of the special administra-
tors, which have already been appointed,
and Tesubmit the case.
The deceased was buried by Golden Gate
Lodge of Masons, of which be was a men,
Der, the remains being laid in the Masonic
Cemetery.
Bright came here in 1849 and was a
prominent member of the Society of
Pioneers A mum per of the Pioneers at
tended the funeral. There were eight
pall-bearers, OF whom two were from
Golden Gate Lodge, f. and A. NJ, TWO
from the Pastnasters' Association, two
from the Odd Fellows and two from the
Pioneers.
The will was filed Wednesday. Follow
ing are the bequests:
To Caroline Flockhsrt, $1,000; to Jane
Thompson, $500; to Emma CLARK and her
CHI dren, IN eqnal shares, $1,000; 10 the Prot
edsnt Orphan Asylum, $4,000; to the Masonic
N iows and Orphans Home OF San Francisco
$t))0; 10 Tempier Rebekah Degree Lodge
M 10, 10 o. f., $500; to the Little Jim ward
at the Children's Hospital, $500; to his sister,
Mary Craig, So, and 10 John VI. Loaile the resi-
due. The Tesla tor states as his reason Tor
making no larger prov sion for his Sis ter that
she is already wen provided for and does not
need any assistance from his estate.