The San Francisco call., 1897-05-21
JACOB I. DAVIS
HAD HIS HOBBY
Gathered the Bones of His
Relatives in Church
Graveyard.
Marble Slabs Erected Bearing
Appropriate Inscrip.
tions.
Recognition of the Name of Dedaker
That May Have Bearing in the
Will Contest.

George A. Knight was compelled to re-
veal the strength of his position in the
Jacob a. Davis will contest yesterd ay.
Mr.. knight and his associates, Charles
Reggerty and George D. Collins, are
anxious to secure a delay of few weeks
for the purpose of obtaining depositlons
from witnesses who reside outside the
State. The proponents OF the VIII insist
that enough time has been devoted to
prehminaries, and object to further post
ponement.
A remarkable hobby of the late Mr..
Davis was brought to light 1t appears
that he was anxious to collect the bones
of his ancestors and relatives In one
burying-ground, and this popularity may
prove of value to the contestants, as they
claim it will constitute proof of their
blood relationship to the decedent, since
their immediate ancestors are included In
Mr.. Davis graveyard collection. 1t is ad-
mitted that Belle Curtis and Lizzie Muir
are not blood relatives Of the deceased,
but that they are nieces of Mr.. Davis
wiie-that is, their mother was Mrs.
Davis sister.
In support of his motion for a continu-
ance Mr. knight submitted an affidavit
setting forth a full history of Jacob II.
Davis family, and incidentally establish
ing the fact that his name was jacob Zig
Ier Dedaker, son of Francis Dedaker and
Catherine Zigler. Sufficient explanation
of this change of name has already been
made, the circumstances in 10 way reflect
ing on the character of the deceased. He
left home al an early age, and desiring to
avoid any interference by relatives or
others adopted the name OF Davis, by
which he was afterward known, though
on the death of his mother he returned to
Philadelphia. and under the name OF
Dedaker took his share of the maternal
estate. The money thus obtained was the
basis of Davis $2,00O0O0 fortune, Mr..
knight says, and he argues that the blood
relatives are therefore entitled to a por-
tion OF it.
1t is alleged in Mr.. Knights affidavit
that Lizzie Muir and Belle Curtis, the
proponents of the will and equal bene-
fcIarles under the will TO the exclusion OF
all others, denied that the true name of
the testator was Dedaker, but that their
attorneys subsequently admitted this
fact, and promised to file a sup
Elemental answer to this effect. In
order to strengthen his position regard
ing the family name of Dedaker. Mr..
Knight cites the fact that some months
before his death Mr.. Davis devoted a great
deal of time and money to collecting the
ashes and remains of his ancestors and
relatives. He had them removed to the
Dunkards' churchyard, Germantown, in
the suburbs OF Philadelphia, where they
were given q final resting place, with ap-
propriate gravestones and inscriptions.
Among those mentioned in Mr.. Davis list
of relatives were his mother, Catherine
Dedaker and his aunt Rebekah Mason
(born Dedaker). Mr.. Davis further mani
I'D ir,4a hn oil L n
church, which was founded by his great
grandfather, by having new wing added
to the church at q cost of SIC, 900, the plans
for the same being drawn by Architect
John NJ. Curtis, husband of Mrs. Curtis,
one of the logatees herein.
The most interesting statement made
by Mr.. Knight is that at the moment OF
Mr.. Davis death he was in the act OF
debating will, which was being written
down by John SenderlIng, a relative of
the Dedaker family. 1t was expected by
the contestants tina. Mr.. Senderling would
appear at the trial, but he has refused to
do so and declares that he will not reveal
the contents OF the paper prepared or
written by him at the time mentioned ex-
cept by order of court. That paper is now
locked up in the vaults of the North
American Trust Company OF Philadelphia
and the contestants ask for time to pro-
cureit.
Mr.. knight says he will be able to prove
by Mrs. Annie Beitel of Pnilad phia that
after Mr.. Davis death both of the bene-
fciaries under the will told her that Mr..
Davis left no will, and that he made no
provision for them; that just before he ex-
pired he called for pen, ink and paper in
order to write will, but declared that he
could not, as his pulse had stopped.
Because of the premises hereinbe fore
stated and in order to allow time for OBJ
tanning evidence requisite in having q fair
trial Mr.. Knight requests a continuance
of the case until the 10th of August. At
that time he expects 10 be able to present
the dispositions of great many witnesses
to substantiate these allegations. He says
his clients are too poor to get ready sooner
than the date men ntioned.
Argument will be heard by Judge Cot
fey to-day touching the right of the con-
testants for further continuance. Pend
ing decision of this point the jury was
excused until next Monday mOrnlnp