The record-union., 1899-04-11
Features That Place 1t Among the Remark
able Legal Battles Of the Century.
Plaintiffs Counsel Relates the Cir
cumstances as to the Giving OF
the Note, and Outlines to the
Jury the Case They Promise to
Prove-Taking of Testimony Be-
gun.

WILLOWS, April 1O.-Ihls commu-
nifty unreservedly declares itself ready
to be burned if the Murdock note case
is not a stronger drawing card than
the Glenn County Fair
To fairly grasp the significance OF
this verbal venture one must be appre-
ciative not only of the habitual con-
servatism of speech - the stunning OF
profane emphasis and adjuratlon OF n.y.
berbole-observed by these simple folk,
but realize the high degree OF mag
netism attached by them to their mar
vest exposition of farm products and
its incidental attractions. 1t is the one
great social event of the year = the
annual break in the homely routine OF
their lives And it is fortunate for
all concerned that their estimate of its
magnificence cannot be thoroughly alb
sorbed by the distinguished strangers
who have come among them and sup
planted in their admiration some of its
stellar features.
General W. H. L. Barnes shows no
elation of spirit at being regarded as
a more interesting exhibit than the
dropsical squash, nor does Grove l..
Johnson appear gratified that he has
eclipsed the fatted hog. Other legal
lights of lesser brilliance apparently
derive no joy from the unavoidable
consciousness that they occupy a more
exalted place in the public vision than
ever was attained by the human faced
chicken or the five-legged calf And
if the eminent experts in chirographic
analysis were blind and deaf they
could not seem less flattered by the
reverential awe with which they are
gaped at and audibly discussed.
But the most conclusive evidence CT
the County Fairs comparative little
ness is afforded by the congested condi-
tion of the hotels. Never in the town 5
career have so few untenanted rooms
been in evidence. Scores of talesmen
and witnesses from all parts of the
county are here. and many of them are
accompanied by healthy-looking wo-
men and shy children, all eager to en-
joy the free show. While the men
spend their days sweltering in the
Courthouse or irrigating with tobacco
tainted saliva the sward adjacent
thereto. the wives and daughters are
touring the shops or visiting their town
acquaintances. The streets are ablaze
with gaily-striped shirtwaistS and
straw hats extensive as to brim. For
Thermometers under awnings register
from sc to 100 degrees.
AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE.
1t is no ordinary case that has thus
excited Glenn County's interest. 1t pos
sesses features which would compel the
attention of communities much more
accustomed to sensational happenings,
and before its present trial has pro-
gressed very far its developments Will
be discussed beyond the boundaries of
California.
The story. brifiey told, is that Mary
Helen Murdoch is endeavoring to COL
lect from the estate of William Muir
dock, deceased, payment On note for
100000 and interest at l per cent. "a
month since the date of issuance, TWEEN
ty-two years ago. William Murdocl
was a bachelor. whose cousin, Samuel
a widower. was father of GAVIN Mur-
dock. husband of the plaintiff in this
case. William died on January :, 1891
leaving an estate valued at S400,0fJ
After the probate of the will was COM
menced Mrs GAVIN Murdoch presented
the note and demanded payment. With
accumulated interest, her claim now
amounts to $360,O00. The executors of
the estate protested that the note was
not genuine and their attorneys pro-
nounced it a forgery. Then the claim
ant began suit to establish the validity
of the note but as the time for pay
ment had not matured, the action was
dismissed as premature. When the
note became due, on September D. 1891,
the present suit was commenced, in ac-
ccrdance with the probate law. when
provides that suits upon claims not due
when presented must be commenced
within two months after the date CT
maturity This is the first time the
case has been brought to open trial.
1t is the prominence of the parties in
yolved no less than the unusual phases
of the plaintiffs claim that makes the
case possess such interest for the peo-
ple of Glenn County. The Murdocks
were among the early settlers in the
Sacramento Valley and "Bill'' and
sam" were as well known to the argo-
reuts es Gavin and his wife and their
two strapping sons are familiar to the
succeeding generations of farming folk.
"Bnl'' was a bachelor of thrifty-almost
mise rly-habit who made his wealth by
wool-growing. 1t is told that so frugal
was he while acquiring his thousands
that ba deprived himself of life's lux
urfes and even stinted his outlay for
necessaries. Whenever he came to visit
Willows he brought along his own
horse feed. to the openly expressed dis
gust of the liverymen. and made the
hetelkeepers angry by carrying his own
food In his pockets. AS long as his ap-
parel could be worn with respect to