The San Francisco call., 1897-02-19
Interesting Testimony Is
Taken in Judge Ccfsy's
Court.
Bitter Attack Made Upon the
Character of Mrs. Laura
Milen-James.
Aspersions That Are Indignantly
Repudiated by the Little Woman
in the Case.

Judge Coffey's courtroom has been
crowded with women recently, for the
testimony in the case of Mrs. Laura Milen-
James, who claims to be the widow of the
late DR.. Charles a. James by virtue of q
contract marriage, is growing interesting.
When women throng the judicial forum
it is safe to assume that something relat-
ing to marriage or divorce is on the docket.
Mrs. James, as she is termed by her at
torneys, or Miss Milen, as she is called by
the lawyers who represent the kith and
kin OF DR.. James, claims the $50 000 estate
of the decedent on the ground that she is
his widow and the mother of his child.
Her opponents aver that her claims are
fraudulent, say that her so-called marriage
contract is fabricated and bogus, and
allege a conspiracy to get the property
going so far as to declare that DR.. James
who was an old man, was not the father
of the child produced in court, and at
tempt TO show that he had not met her
more than eight months before the birth
OF the alleged heir. To controvert this
assum ption the ostensible widow has in
troduced the testimony of herself and
others to establish Tor her infant status.
Mrs. Milen-James' character has not
escaped In the general melee. An attack
has been made on the charge that she
associated with several men, some old
and some young, previous to and after
her acquaintance with DIR. James.
All these things are Indignantly repudi-
ated by the little woman, and it is adj
mitted on all sides that through the terri
bile ordeal of the Iiresome, rasping court
proceedings she has borne erself in
crsditable manner, which has won for her
the respect of all spectators.
Mrs. Sarah Jane Williams testified that
she had known DR.. James since 1870. He
often visited the house where she was iiv-
ing. He went there TO call on Judge Hud-
son. a short time before his death she
talked with him and jestiugly remarked
that she and the Judge had been wonder
ing what had become of him; that they
did not know whether he had been sick or
had been off getting married, like Young
boys OF his age we're apt to do. He said
no, that he had not been sick and l. ad not
been getting married, as he had had
enough of that. The next time she saw
him he was dead. She heard no e1clama-
ton OF mourning in the room where he
lay corpse. She saw Mrs. Laura Milen-
James In the room.
Henry Dickman, husband of Lulu Milen
Dlckman, sister OF Laura Milen James,
testified that he authorized the sending OF
a telegram to Miss Matte James, a niece
OF the late DR.. James, informing her of her
uncle's death. lie also authorized the
sending OF a power of attorney to Matte
James, as he wished to De appointed her
representative here. His telegram told
her that she was the principal claimant
He was introduced by his wife to his sis
Jer-in-law Laura as Mrs. DR.. James
about ten days before the marriage, but
did not take 1t seriously.
Mrs. Sarah }. Zollmger testified that in
1894 she kept louging- house at 218 Leav-
enworth street. She continued:
''Mr. and Mrs. Dickman first came to
my house on September 16, 1894 The
Milens also were there in October. On
Decem ber ID, 1894 Mrs. Milen, Mrs. Dick
man and Laura Milen were at my house.
In the evening they went out and came
back between 10 and II o'clock at night,
and with them were three gentlemen, who
remained all night. After that night Mrs.
Milen and Laura left. and only returned
on the 10Th and 18th to help Mrs. Dick
man to move her things.
Il aid not see Mrs. Milen again until
the time that DR.. James lay dead. AS
walked on Sixth street. near Market |
CHANGED to meet Mrs. Milen, and she
asked me to accompany her to her then
home. As Mrs. DIckman had left owing
me some rent l was interested in ascer-
tanning where she lived. Mrs. Milen put
her hand on my shoulder and said, MY
landlord is dead, and she wanted TO know
If the administrator could put them out
OF the house when .hey had paid their
rent until the middle of next month. l
told her they could not if they had re-
ceipt. She kind of smiled and said they
would have receipt all right.
There were other people living at my
house at that time. Among them were
the Skaters, relatives of the Milens, from
San Jose. Others were named Green
Jackson. Miller and Jones'"
Mrs. Mary Gallagher testified that she
was in the house at 925 Howard street
when DR.. James died. 81 went into the
death chamber soon after the doctor died
and found there Mrs. Milen, Laura Milen
and Mrs. Dickman. Mrs. Milen said that
she and Laura had just returned from the
theater and asked the doctor if there was
anything that he wanted and he said
No Soon after that he died. Mrs.
Milen told the undertaken that they were
perfect strangers, ana that the doctor had
no relatives here. Mrs. Dickman told me
that 1T was too bad the doctor died. as he
was engaged 10 her sister. Laura was not
present when this remark was made"