The record-union., 1899-10-25
AMANDA AUST!N'S SERVICES
EFFORTS BY PLAINTIFF TO
PROVE THEIR VALUE.
Counsel Argue at Length as to the
Admissibi1ity of Testimony
on That Point.


The Austin Wilcoxson case was re-
sumed before Judge Ellison yesterday
morning, and number of witnesses
for the plaintiff were put on the STAND
w. Eberhardt of this city was the
first witness called. He had known
Jefferson Wilcoxson from 1870 to the
time of his death. The latter had
spoken to him repecting his grand
nieces, and in 1879 introduced Miss
Austin to the witness. On one occasion
Wilcoxson told witness that he intend
ed to lay aside fund for Amanda Sc
that she would not have to work for
her living. Again, in 1896. in the course
of a conversation in the Capitol Hotel
Wilcoxson told witness that Amanda
Austin was more to him than two OF
three wives would have been, and that
he had made a deposit for her that
would keep her well the remainder OF
her life. on other occasions WilcoXsor
told witness practically the same thing
On cross examination witness saio
Wilcoxson told him that at Amanda
Austin's birth he laid aside fund fol
her. that he had added to the fund
each year, and that he had thought
much of her since her birth. In 1876
or 1887 Wilcoxson showed witness q
picture Of Amanda Wilcoxson.
H. NJ. Cooper of Winters, Colusa
County, first met jefferson WilcoXsor
in 1876, the year Tilden was elected
President of the United States and
here the witness smiled. Witness had
heard Wilcoxson speak of Amanda
Austin as his girl, and he seemed te
think the world of her. Witness or
many occasions had heard WilcoxsOr
say he intended to leave Amanda Aus
tin we'll fixed. At one time at the
scales office on the Stovall ranch Press
StoVall came in and Wilcoxson said tc
him: why don't you get married
You are well fixed out there. 1 have
the best girl in the world-Amanda
Austin-and / want you to come to see
her I'm going to leave her rich"
on cross examination witness said
that he was at one time weigher anC
bookkeeper for the Stovall ranch, and
that about four or five years ago he
was discharged, he had since learned
at the suggestion of Jefferson Wilcox
son. Witness said. however, that he
had had no feeling against Wilcoxsor
on account of the discharge. Press
Stovall married two or three years after
the conversation witness mentioned
Witness relations with WilcoXson had
been friendly up to the time of the lat
ter's death
w. z. Street. cashier Of the Bank OF
Williams, was the next witness. To the
best of witness recollection Wilcoxsor
owned stock in the Bank of Williams
to the amount of $125, 900, and a hal
interest in the Stovall ranch, the ranch
being valued at 500. 900 or 5000. 600
The defense objected to the question:
asked the witness. on the ground tha
the books of the bank and the Stovall
Wilcoxson & Co. ranch was the bes
evidence, and the plaintiffs attorney:
demanded that the defense produce the
books of the bank and of the rancl
company The objection was over
ruled, and the witness said that Viii
coXson in 1895, gave a portion of tht
capital stock away. retaining, witnes!
believed, ten shares-S1 900. Wilcox
son. between 1894 and 1897, had a little
over 81, 900 in the bank, the amoun
being in negotiable certificates of de
p0sit and at times. small sums on de
posit open account.
Bert Byrne of this city was the mex
witness, testified that he had twice beer
employed at the Capital Hotel ant
that he knew Jefferson Wilcoxsor
slightly. During Wilcoxson's last i'll
ness he had sent witness out for Mis-:
Austin.
The defense objected to the Ques
tions asked.
Grove L. Johnson. for the plaintiff
offered to prove by the witness tina
when he was sent by Wilcoxson to hi.
office for Amanda p Austin, that wit
ness found Miss Austin and George II
WHcoxson in the office. that the saf,
was open and that George H. Wilcox
son was before it; that Amanda lef
the office and that George H Wilcox
son was left alone in the office with tht
safe open. He said the plaintiffs wit
nesses had testified concerning tn,
amount of money in the safe, and tn,
object of Byrne's testimony was t
show who had had access to the safe
The Court sustained the objection,
and the witness was excused.
Attorney Grove L. Johnson asked fo
an order to take the deposition of Mrs
J. G. StOvan. who was too i'll to ap
pear. The defense objected and tn,
Court held that the proper method o
procedure was to file an affidavit anC
notice, and that he would shorten tn
time of notice and order the deposition
TO be taken.
DR.. Thomas Ross of this city wa
next called. He knew jefferson VIII
0oxson for about four years prior t,
his DEATH and for two years, 1893 t,
1895. had attended him in a profes
sional capacity. Witness had hearc
Wilcoxson express his appreciation o
Miss Austins services. Witness sale
Miss Austin's services to Jefferson VIII
coxson were more than those of a pro
fessional nurse. Considering the ag
and wealth of Mr.. Wilcoxson, witnes
said it would be hard for him to plac
valuation on Miss Austin's service
TO Jefferson Wilcoxson in dollars an,
cents. Such services. he said, coult
not be considered as ordinary nursing
and he could not fix a specific value
he considered them invaluable, NOR