The record-union., 1899-10-13
MISS AMANDA
AUSTIN'S SUIT.
Prosecuting in Court Her Demand Against the
WilcoxsOn Estate for $4,000

1885; that they were destroyed by her
in Mr.. Wilcoxsons presence at his or
fee on street in this city. All the
letters burned were those received
from the deceased. Witness said the
burning of the letters occupied her
time all of one day-a rainy day. she
said she had deposited all letters re-
ceived by her since she came to Califor-
MIA in 1879, in the wicker hamper. The
letters were kept in various little pack
ages. She kept letters received by her
from Mr.. Wilcoxson with her other
letters, and until the date they were
them. There were a great many let
ters destroyed by her, and she could
not recollect having examined any OF
the letters before burning them. AT
the time she burned the letters she
had been attending a school of art de-
sign in San Francisco, and she thought
it was in the spring vacation when the
letters were destroyed She saved
nothing at all from the hamper
Then the testimony of Mrs. Mary E.
Austin was continued. She testified
that the letter received by her from
Jefferson Wilcoxson had stated that
California and attend to him, he would
provide for her and assist her in her
art education. The letter suggested
that Amanda be sent out by Uncle
Harry Wilcoxson" :sthat the latter pay
her expenses, and that the writer
would pay him back when they reached
this State.
A question as to what compensation
was to be received by Amanda was
objected to, on the ground that it was
calling for an opinion. The objection
was overruled, and the witness replied
that the letter stated that if Amanda
was allowed to come out here she
would be we'll provided for.
Witness said she had received no
further letters from Jefferson Will
coxson relating to Amanda's coming to
California. She thought no specific
date had been fixed when Amanda was
to start for California. She thought
her daughter had received letters form
Jefferson Wilcoxson bearing on the
subject. Witness had always read her
daughters letters.
Amanda, Mrs. Austin said, started
for California on July 5, 1879. Wit
ness visited her in 1886. At that time
her daughter was living with Mr. Will
coxson. They We're then boarding with
Mr.. Kimber. Witness said she did not
recollect having, at the time of her
visit, spoken to Mr.. Wilcoxson concern
ing the amount of compensation
Amanda should receive, but that
Uncle" Jefferson Wilcoxson) had
spoken in praise of Amanda, and told
of many things she had done for him.
At this point the witness was tenn
porarily withdrawn, under objection
from the defense, and Major Biggs was
put on the stand SO as to allow him
to go home. The witness said he was
76 years old, and that he knew Amanda
P. Austin, and had known Jefferson
Wilcoxson in his lifetime. About a
year after Amanda came out here wit
ness had had a conversation with Mr..
Wilcoxson, and stated, under exception
by the defense, that in the first con-
versatfon had, Jefferson Wilcoxson had
told him that he would do a better
part by Amanda than sending her to
the best art school in the world. On
several occasions Uncle Jeff" (Mr.
Wilcoxson) had slapped his knee and
said: 'I'll do better by her than send
her to the best art school in the world. -
Wilcoxson, the witness said, had told
him that Amanda had come out here
to wait upon him, and that he could
not do without her. Miss Austin had
n
might to her own father. Witness had
had several conversations with Will
coxson. He had last talked with Will
coXson two or three years ago, at which
time the latter, who had been i'll with
heart failure, had told him that only
the nursing he had received had saved
him. Witness had said: Uncle jeff,
you owe a great debt to Amanda" to
which Mr.. Wilcoxson had replied
Amanda is all right; I'll provide for
her"
Cross-examined, the witness said he
had noticed particular painting done
by Miss Austin, and the painting had
prompted him to suggest that she
should be given the advantage of an
art education. They. he said, were
sampling brandy at the time of the first
conversation. After Mr.. Wilcoxson' 5
death, and before his will was opened.
knowing what he had said. witness had
remarked incidentally, that Amanda
would be provided for.
Witness could not recollect whether
or not Amanda Austin had acted as
houSekeeper for Jefferson Wilcoxson at
the time of any of his visits.
Robert Williamson was called for the
plaintiff. and Attorney Seymour for
the defense, again objected to the
withdrawal Of Mrs. Mary Austin. The
objection was overruled, and the wit
ness said he had known Mr.. Wilcoxson
during his lifetime, a long time. He
had known Amanda p Austin about
fifteen years. About 1897, February
or March, Jefferson Wilcoxson and Miss
Austin came to board with him-he
was conducting the Pleasanton ON L
street.
In April, 1897. he had had a CONVEX
sation with Mr.. Wilcoxson, who was
rooming at the Pleasanton. They were
alone in the smoking room of the
house. Witness said to Wilcoxson that
he (Wilcoxon) was fortunate in having
such kind, careful attendant as
Amanda Austin; that there was not
girl in a thousand who would do
what she had for him, and
that she deserved to be hand
somely rewarded. To that Wilcoxson
replied: Don't you bother about
Amanda; she will be well paid for all
she has done for me-" Witness told
WilcoxsOn the hight Of Apoapao,S ap,