The record-union., 1899-04-14
Testifes as to the Transactions When the
Note Was 6iven.
Only Two More Witnesses to Be
Called for the Plaintiff-Be-
Heved Counsel for Defense Will
Make Their Opening Statement
To-Day, When Sensational De-
velopments Are Promised.

WILLOWS, April 13.-Judge Pirkey
this morning sustained the objection of
the defense as to the plaintiff, Mary
Helen Murdock, testifying TO any facts
occurring prior to the death of William
Murdoch, but to the surprise of every
one they withdrew all objections, and
Mrs. Murdock was called to testify.
Her direct examination was quite
brief. She told of being at home on
September 3, 1877, the day the note
was made; of the meeting of the two
men, Samuel her father-in-law and
William: that the men talked over
their financial transactions and agreed
upon 100000 as the balance due Sam
uel from William, after two notes would
have been surrendered and $40, 900 in
cash paid; also testified that Samuel
called witness in the ROOM blank
note, papers, pens. ink and piles of gold
We're on the table.
Samuel told witness to write a note
for 100000 payable twenty years from
date at II per cent, stating that it was
for the benefit of his grandsons, the
sons of the witness. William then read
the note, and she took it and placed it
in book for safe keeping. Two notes,
one for S26 600, We're then handed Will
lam by Samuel. William tore them up,
and the men counted out $50, 600 which
was in the room. William left the next
morning, and witness assisted in the
placing of the money in a buggy. The
money was in two canvas sacks. where
it had been placed after counting the
night before.
When witness husband returned, he
asked her if William had given her a
note for 100000, as William had told
him at the Chico. She showed the note
to her hsuband, and they buried it as
before told.
General Barnes could not shake the
witness as to these matters. He asked
her as to the offering to sell it or bor-
row money thereon, and an objection as
to asking any questions not bearing on
direct examination was argued, when a
recess was taken.
The cross-examination of Mrs. Muir
dock was resumed this afternoon, Judge
Pirkey ruling that questions should be
confined TO matters brought out in di-
rect testimony.
Plaintiff told in detail about wrapping
the note in tinfoil, putting it in a vial,
sealing and placng it n a bottle, then
burying it in a can in the barn.
Questions asked the witness as to the
Endorsements on the note and who wrote
them were ruled out
/. Robinson an attorney testified to
meeting Mrs. Murdoch, the plaintiff, at
Sacramento in 1887. The note was
shown him at that time, and he had it
in his possession. He met William
Murdock there and referred to the S100,-
600 note in his presence.
H. A. Skiff. a Southern Pacific con-
ductor, was called. He testified that
he worked for GAVIN Murdock in 1890
He heard a conversation between Mrs
Murdoch and William in which William
said: You ought to be satisfied. You
hold my note for 100000 at II per cent
interest
In cross-examination the witness was
asked as to telling certain people that
he would make a good stake out of the
Murdoch will''; that his price was $10,
coo, and that Mrs. Murdock wanted him
to testify for her, and had written him
asking about it. The witness denied
all of this.
c. B. Ashurst testified that he. paid
$500 in gold to Samuel Murdoch the
day before the big note was made This
testimony was to show that Sam had
money at that time.
Only two more witnesses will be called
for the plaintiff. 1t is believed the de-
fense will make its opening statement
tomorrow. Sensational developments
are promised.