The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-15
HAULED FORTH THE
COLBURN SKELETON
Story in Court of the Late
Preachers Marital
Infelicity.
Attorney Johnston, a Kinsmar
of the Widow, Invades the
Domestic Closet.
Disclosures in Regard to a Separation
That Took Place Six Years
Agc.

The skeleton that hitherto encountered
the closet OF the late Rev. NJ. +. Colburn
was dragged into the light of day in Judge
Stacks court yesterday afternoon.
The case came up on the application OF
Public Administr ator Freese TO be ap-
pointed administrator of Mr.. Colburn' s
estate, the property consisting of library
and other chattels worth about $1,000. BY
his will Mr.. Colburn indicated that he
wished his property to be disposed OF Tor
the benefit of the church with which he
was connected at The time of his death,
and the officers of the church requested
that the property be put under the con-
troll of Public Administrator Freese In
order that the estate might be settled.
|. J. Truman was present in court for the
purpose OF supporting the Public Admin
Istrator's petition.
George W. Johnston, an attorney from
Riverside, objected to this appointment,
and presented a petition signed by the
widow nominating Mr.. Johnston as ad-
ministrator and also setting up claim to
the property as the widow of the de-
ceased.
Attorney J. D. Sullivan, representing
the Public Administrator, contended that
Mrs. Colburn had abandoned Mr.. Colburn
during her lifetime and that she had lost
all interest in his estate. He said that at
the time OF the separation Mrs. Colburn
took all the property that he" husband
possessed and agreed TO trouble him no
more with her presence.
This was warmly disputed by Mr.. john
ston, who announced himself to be a rsla-
tive of the lady, and he said that he knew
all the circumstances of Inc separation !;
that the lady had been driven from her
husbands home by his cruelty, and that
she had been greatly wronged by the state
ments of certain persons connected with
the matter.
Mr.. Sullivan here handed the court the
following letter signed by Mrs. CoIburn:
SAN DIEGO, February 8, 1892.
Whereas l, lola NJ. Colburn, am about to
leave the home OF Rev. NJ. f. COlburn with no
intention OF ever returning to the same here
by agree from this date onward TO cOntract no
bills in his name or make him in any way re-
sponsibie for my debts. lola NJ. CoLBURN.
How about that agreement? Do you
dispute that Mrs. CoIburn signed it ?"
asked Judge Slack.
Il don't dispute the signing of that
contract as that is her signature, but
deny its validity and sutficienCy IN the
present matter for the reason that there
was no consideration for that agreement.
1t has been said hat she got house and
lot in Los Angeles to pay for that separa-
ton. | deny that, and / deny any and all
statements that tend in the slightest de-
gree to reflect on the good name of Mrs.
Colburn Just as | denounce as false any
lntimatlons that her acts were or have
been IN any manner improper before or
after the separation"
Didn't Mrs. Coiburn get the house and
lot in Los Angees?" asked Mr.. Sullivan.
Yes out she bought it and paid for it."
You don't deny that she lett her hus-
bands home as set forth in that agree
ment?" persisted Mr.. Sullivan.
II deny that she wanted to leave, and
say she tod me that she was ready and
willing to go back to him if he mad wanted
her to do so" replied Mr.. Johnston.
Mr.. Sullivan appeared to be we'll sup
piled with ammunition, for he at once
laid before The court letter rom Mrs
Colburn, date1 Sep.em Der 10. 1892, couched
in sarcastic terms in which she reminded
her husband Of the facts attending their
separation, that she had then desired it
to be final, and that she rejected his offer
for meeting or interview for any purpose
whatever, though both were at that time
in Los Angeles.
This appeared t. surprise and puzzle the
witness 10 certain extent, but ne reitera-
ted his staten ent that his kinswoman ad
been unfairly treated, and contended that
she ought TO be accorded the right of
nominating an adm illustrator OF the estate
w n. North testified that Mr.. Colburn
had told him OF th= legal separation and
said that Mrs. Colburn took all the family
property, even TO the pictures en- the wall.
Judge Slack thought the widow had no
right to nominate an administrator, all
matters considered, and gran;e Ell letters to
the Public Administrator, with permits
SION lor MIR. Johnston tc move further in
the case i! ne obtains from Mrs. Colburn
evidence sufficient to warrant such pro-
cedue.
Mrs. Coburn is now a phys clan en-
ployed IN the practice of medicine IN New
Yo City.
Mr. Sullivan expressed regret that any
mention OF Mrs. Colburn had been made IN
the case, and suggested that he was not to
blame for any publicity in regard to her.
He remarked that he had no knowledge
Of any facts rejecting on the lady, but
that the separation was a fact we'll known,
and, as it was material to this case, it was
lncum bent on him 10 establish the truth
That fact did not reflect on either party to
the agreement, as 1t was a perfectly legal
act and appeared to have come about by
I