The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25
tempted
BUT HELD
VIR9UOUS
"Bombshell" Aitken Tells
His Weird Story in the
Fair Craven Trial.
THE LADY WOULD CORRUPT HIM.
But He First Wanted to Know
How Much There Was
in 1t For Him.
MARTIN KELLY LED THE INNOCENT.
Mrs. Craven Being Too III to Appear
the Muoh-Heralded Witness
Makes His Bow.

The long heralded witness who is to un-
cover the alleged deep-laid and awful plot
of conspiracy by which the impoverished
Fair estate was to be "looted," to use the
language of Attorney Wheeler-the hui
man bombs that is to shatter Mrs.
Craven's claims into the veriest shreds-
has at last materialized in person in the
great drama being enacted in Judge Slack's
court, and is actually on the witness
stand.
John R. Aitken is his name, and he is
also called Judge" without protestation
on his part. He Is alleged by the attor-
neys for the heirs to be the conspirator
who became conscience tricken and re-
volted at the idea of giving false testi-
mony regarding the disputed deeds, and
who, in the throes of wasting remorse,
went to those attorneys and confessed the
dark plot, thus to be made happy once
again. He is also the gentleman who, ii
is intimated In other quarters, did not
consider that there was enough in it" for
him to stay by Mrs. Craven's cause, and
thereby sought the other camp.
Aitken made his debut on the stand
yesterday morning because OF the fact
that Mrs. Craven's physician would not
permit her to appear in court, ana her
CTOSs-e3aIninaIlOn Dy MI. DelmaS could
not be resumed. Attorney Wheeler tor
the Fair heirs, offered a mild protest
against being compelled to explode his
che ished bomb before Mrs. Craven b ad
finished giving her evidence, and ELECTED
the anticipated command from the court
to proceed with another witness.
Judge Aitken, take the stand" was
MIR. Wheeler's dramatic order, and the
Judge" stalked forth from the lobby.
Aitken. who is a middle-aged nattily
attired indiyid ual, sporting q well-nour-
ished black mustache and a full head of
slightly silvered hair aad who is not such
a repulsive looking chap, after all. was
duly sworn to tell but the truth, and then
the fuse was lighted.
He first told, under Mr.. WheelePs
guidance, about having been born in this
City, of his removal to San Diego and NIL
grafton back again, of his engaging in the
law business in both cities, and finally of
his acquaintance with Mrs. Craven He
frs met her be said, on the Sd of July.
1896 That was at her residence on Gaer-
zero street. Martin Kelly took lin there
and introduced him. Miss Margaret
Craven vas also there, and so was Stephen
Roberts, but the latter did not remain.
They had talk lasting nearly two hours.
Aitken said he next saw Mrs. Craven on
July 9, having gone there again with
Martin Kelly.
Mr. Wheeler now handed Aitken the
disputed Sansome-sIreet deed and asked
him if he had ever seen II before.
Yes, I've seen that before" was the
reply.
when and where did you first see it ?"
About 7o'clock in the evening of the
day, July 8. 1885, at 80 Guerrero street"
he was then shown the Mission street
deed and asked a question similar to that
in reference to the other document.
II saw this at the same place and at the
same time" replied Aitken
Being told to give the details of the visit
during which he saw the deeds Aitken
said ne went 10 Mrs Craven's residence