The record-union., 1899-10-28
AUSTIN -WILCOXSON CASE.
TESTIMONY INTRODUCED FOR
THE DEFENSE.
Judge Hughes Tells About the
Habits and Business Affairs
of Decedent.

The AustinWilcoxson case was re-
sumed before Judge Ellison yesterday
morning, and Judge Joseph w. Hughes,
the first important witness for the de-
fense, was kept ON the stand most OF
the day. Prior to his testifying, how
ever, three impeaching witnesses were
called.
Cornelius Boardman of Colusa Coun-
ty was the first witness called. he tes-
tilted that the general reputation OF H.
A. Davis for truth, honesty and lnteg-
rity was bad.
Cross-examined the witness said that
one week ago last Monday or Tuesday
George H. Wilcoxson told him that he
had heard that E. A. Davis had said
he had been offered $1,000 to leave the
State, and that he (witness) had come
to Sacramento to testify to the char
acter of Davis.
B. E. Mason of Leesville, Colusa
County. was next called as an inn
peaching witness. He testified that the
general reputation of E. A. Davis was
bad. Witness said he was not friend
ly with Davis.
Joseph w. Hughes, Superior Judge OF
ness called. He testified that Jeffer-
son Wilcoxson had been his great uncle
and that. he was a legatee and devisee
under the will of jefferson WilcoXson
for a one-ninetieth interest in the
latters estate.
After witness arrival in California,
in 1882 he was employed as book
keeper and clerk in Wilcoxson's office
until 1886. During witness employ
ment by Wilcoxson he saw the latter
quite frequently-almost daily. When
witness arrived in California the plain
tiff was living with Mr.. Wilcoxson
Amanda P. Austin went to San Fran
cisco about May, 1882, and remained
there about three years, attending a
school of design. She returned in De
cember, 1885, but in the meantime had
spent her vacations at the home OF
Jefferson Wilcoxson.
Witness said Jefferson WilcoXSOn did
a large business, and personally super
vised it, and was in his office almost
daily While witness was in his employ
Jefferson WilCoXson was generally in
good health and did not require nurs-
ing though at times he was zindispoSed
with colds, etc Plaintiff, while with
jefferson Wilcoxson, was attentive to
him and did all for him that he would
allow. Mr. WilcoxsOn, however, did not
want anybody to serve him and OBJ
jected to any assistance being given
him by anybody, unless it was abso-
lutely imperative. AS a rule, Jefferson
Wilcoxson in coming from his ranch
to his Office in this city would leave his
horse and buggy in Washington, YolC
County, and walk into this city, and
on leaving would walk back to YolC
and thence drive out to his ranch. lie
visited his office almost daily, and wit
ness could recall only a few stormy
days that he did not come to town.
In 1884. witness said, jefferson Viii
coXson left his ranch and came TO the
Golden Eagle Hotel to live. Prior tc
the death of Jackson Wilcoxson, Jeffer-
son WilcoxsOn was absent on trips
about one-fourth or one-fifth of the
time
Prior to Jackson Wilcoxson's death
he and Jefferson Wilcoxson did not
speak together. They had an oE1ct
together, and each had a safe, that o1
Jackson being an old and cheap affair
Witness testified that Jackson Viii
coxson kept little money in his safe
and that at the time of his death, ne
considerable sum of money was in tht
safe
After Jackson WilcOXsOn's death JEFF
ferson Wilcoxson was absent from Sac
ramento about one third or one-halt
of the time. Amanda Austin might
have accompanied him at times, but
not frequently.
San Francisco she opened an art studio
in this city, and when "Uncle Jeff wa.
not indisposed, he went 10 his office
and she TO her studio. If he was indis
posed she stayed at home and cared
for him. Subsequent to jackson vii
cOxson's death, and until 1887. Jeffer.
son Wilcoxson took frequent trips ou
of this city.
Witness could recall no time before
Jefferson Wilcoxson left his ranch anC
came 10 this city that he did not EN-
ploy a cook and a housekeeper II
1887 Miss Austin went East, was alb.
sent about three months When she
left she had a large art class. Upor
her return she continued her studio
until 1892. Witness knew that Jeffer.
son Wilcoxson paid some of the bill:
for the maintenance of the studio bu
was unable to say how many. After
he left Mr.. Wfcoxson's employ they
remained on friendly terms.
In 1SS9-90 the corporation of the Sto
vall-Wilcoxson Company was formed
and necessitated many trips by Jeffer
son WilcoXson to the town of Williams
Colusa County. At times Miss Austir
accompanied him on trips to Williams
at others she did not Until the dis
tribution of the stock of the company
Mr. Wilcoxson was a very busy man
The ranch contained thirty odd thous
and acres.
Witness said that in 1887 Mr. vii
coxson made a trip to Yellowston,
Park. Victoria and Alaska. Plaintiff
did not accompany him. Again in 1SS!
he went to Mexico. Cuba, Florida anC
back through the Southern States. HI
was accompanied by A. G.. Tryon O
this city, and nobody else Eitnes.
said that Amanda p. Austfn's keep
clothing. spending money, etc, was paiC
for by Jefferson Wilcoxson. The attor
neys for the plaintiff conceded tha
the bills were so paid, and claimed tha
that was a part of their contention
Witness said that prior to his deatl