The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-05
MRS. CRAVEN
At LAST HAS
HER INNING
Judge Denson's Eloquent
Opening Address to
the Jury.
bogus EIiDEhUE 1V EE NHOMh.
Commences Of the Disputed
Deeds VIII Be Amply
Demonstrated.
MRS. HASKINS TAXES THE STAND.
Sha Tails tho Storm nf tho Wr;tinn o1
MRS. HlSKIKS TAXES THE STAND.
She Tells the Story of the Writing of
the Pencil" Will and the Deliv-
cry of the Deeds.

The promised transformation in the
Fair Craven trial was yesterday rendered
complete.
From the 6ing-dong and alternate ennui
of what was practically moneyed prose-
cution, replete with venomous accusations
and assailing of regulations, the scenes
have at last shifted and disclosed to view
a woman returning to the attack and es-
saying to demonstrate to the world the
merit of her claims.
The attorneys for the Fair heirs ana es-
tate died hard. Although they had an
nounced the night before that they had
finished with their side of the case they in
reality reopened it when court convened
for yesterdays session. Over an hour OF
the forenoon had slipped away before they
would down, and the counsel for the de-
tense were forced to bide their time and
wait patiently for the tardy signal for
them 10 begin.
An immense crowd gathered in the
courtroom in anticipation OF new devel-
opments and the crampeh quarters where
Judge Slack holds sway was rendered
sitting and uncomfortable.
ment OF the attorneys for the plaintiffs to
have the record embrace some additional
evidence from Lawyer Reuben II. Lloyd.
Mr.. Lloyd is reported to be quite Ill and
unable to appear in court, but 1t had been
agreed that the desired questions could be
asked in the ABSENCE of the gentleman and
that possibly the expected answers would
go on the record by consent. Attorney
Mitchell said he had but one question to
ool- ho INV Sjb
Mrs. Craven or Stephen Roberts say any
thing to you, durin q he interview OF March
IS 1896, bout the document produced and
read III this court on March 10, 1852"
This document was the assignment by
Senator Fair OF $4,000 of Northern Rail-
road stock to his executors, the proceeds
of which were to secure the probatlng OF
his "last will and testament"
The question was objected to by the
defense, and Mr.. Mitchell sinability 10 re-
frame it into a satisfactory shape delayed
the proceedings and tried the patience OF
every body.
There was more trouble over straighten-
ing the record in regard to Mr.. Dey's evil
dence. That gentleman finally had to be
recalled to the stand and asked if MIS-.
Craven ever told him she had airy deeds,
or ever showed him any deeds. Dey SAID
that she did neither.
There is nothing further, is there, gen.
tlemen? p asked Judge Slack, YEARLY.
Yes, Just one moro matter" SAID Gar
ret McEnerney.
There was no use of talking-the counsel
for tue heirs hated 10 let go and permit
their side of the case to come to halt
There was too big a crowd present TO re-
linsuish the stage.
Mr.. McEnerney's lone more matter
was letter in Senator Fair handwriting
and was nothing more nor less than an
other chirographical exem plar. 1t was
labor lost on Mr.. McEnerney's part, how
ever, for the document was objected TO by
Mr.. Delmas and ruled out by the court.
And even then they would not quit.
Mr.. McEnerney caused a litter TO rip
pie through the courtroom by announcing
mat he had lust one more matter" to
offer in evidence. This was a newspaper
file containing a copy of Senator Fairs
trust will. The attorney said this was
for the purpose of showing that Mrs.
Craven had grand opportunities to know
the contents of the document This, too,
was objected 20, and like the FAIR letter
ruled out. Mr.. McEnerney excepted to
the ruling OF the court and sadly confessed
that he had "no more matters"
1.-THE defense may now proceed" said
Judge Slack.
Without reservation 2" asked Mr.. Del.
mas doubtfully.
eS, replied the court.
Then il was that judge S. c. benson
arose and proceed I'd to deliver the de-
fenss's opening address TO the jury. He
began as follows:
1t seems long time since you, gentlemen OF
the jury, were called up, one by one, and ques-
toned as to the state of your minds respecting
this celebrated and mueh-adverlised Case. 1t
seems long time sine you all stood up TO-
gether, and with hands invoking heavens
aid took solemn oath TO I'm partially hee T
and honestly az Judge the issues raised be-
tween the executors and heirs of the late
James g. Fair upon the one side and Mrs.
Nettie R. Craven upon the other. 1t seems O
long lime ago that Mr.. Pierson stood before
you to open the case tor the plaintiffs, and
assured you that Mrs. Craven and conteder-
atts had conspired 10 rob the estate of the la te
James G. Fair, and 10 that end had forged two
deeds and other documents and had at
tempted to sustain forgery by perjury, and
further assured you that evidence OF sue con-
vincing force won be adduced as to estab-
fish those dreadful accusations with the con-
clusiyeness OF thematical demonstration.
1t seems an age since we visited San Rafael
and met Mr.. Shearer, the real estate agent;
the young man Nullett, who was modestly
called Dan; his brother, the liveryman,w who
kept that unique "beet book; since we
bought cigars at the barber-shop of the elder
Schneider TO quiet our nerves while we viewed
the beautiful VILLAGE from luxurious seats in
Gilligan's hack, and met on the road Monsieur
Cassou, mine host of the Partisan Hotel TAX
ing 'bauquc" ride al the expense OF the
anonymous mademoiselle in room 6, or since
we departed from that charming town IN
company with Herbert Clarke, who carried
a valise and all enormous portmanteau,
packed with three shifts, one suit OF under
year, one bottle of Sronuum and box OF cap
sules; and have almost forgotten the feat
lures of Mr.. Tim Connolly, who sat on the
fence near the depot and sadly waved US a
silent farewell. The weil-groomed Carvaho
has long since taken his departure, while the
picture of the venerable Ames with magic
wand rointing out the ''whopped over" lei
tiers comes up in memory like dream of long
ago; and the chalk marks OF Gumpel like the
roses OF last summer nave faded and gone
Even 81 Wade, Whitesides, Keefe, Stanford and
Croker are men we met IN our younger days.
We have been fellow-travelers upon long
and toilfome journey, and while the counsel
have not at ali times maintained the 'un-
wrinkled brow" still. in view of the nature of
the issue on trial, tank 1t may be said this
long contest has been gratltylngiy Tree from
acerbty and personalities Human nature is
such that absolute amiability is not at all