The San Francisco call., 1904-04-22
MRS. JEAN BOYD
IS TRUE WIDOW.
Court Rejects the Claim
of Margaret Hollowbush to
the Big Estate of Capitalist
RUMORS OF COMPROMISE
Judge Coffey's Signature
to Distribution Decree
Ends a Sensational Case

Margaret Hollowbush, the former
wife Of Alexander Boyd, who, when the
capitalist died, came forward and tried
to claim his 81, 100000 estate on the
ground that Boyd had fraudulently OBJ
tanned a divorce from her more than
forty years ago, is not and never was,
the widow of Boyd and therefore is not
entitled to any portion of his estate.
Boyd's only widow is Jean McGregor
Boyd, to whom he was married in this
city in January, 1862. five years after
he obtained a divorce from the woman
who is now Mrs. Hollowbush, and who
became Mrs. Hollowbush fifteen days
after the decree of divorce was grant
ed. The decree was not fraudulently
obtained, and therefore Mrs. Hollow
bush's claim amounts to nil. These
facts are set forth in a decree of par
tial distribution of the Boyd estate to
Mrs. Boyd prepared by Attorneys Gar
ret McEnerney and G. III. Mastick, le-
gal representatives of Mrs. Boyd, and
signed yesterday by Judge Coffey. Thus
ends one of the most sensational ac-
tions ever commenced in the local Pro-
bate Court, a very tame finish consid-
ering the amount of money involved
and the prominence of the parties con-
cerned. Mrs. Hollowbush once ac-
cepted $500 for her signature to a
waiver of all the claims she might have
against Boyd. Rumor has ii that she
has accepted slightly larger sum for
her withdrawal in the present pro-
ceedings. but the rumor is unconfirmed,
the attorneys in the case refusing to
discuss the matter.
BOYD A PIONEER.
Alexander Boyd was one of the pio-
neers of California. He came here in
1s4S bringing with him his young wito.
who, when he married her in New
York in 1871, was Margaret Ander
son. They located in Sacramento.
Differences arose and on November 16.
1857 Boyd secured a decree of divorce.
Fifteen days after the decree was
granted Mrs. Boyd became the wife of
Henry Hollowbush, and after a short
time went with him to Philadelphia,
leaving behind the son born of her
union to Boyd. In 1891 the son died,
leaving two children, who are at present
in New York, and who, under their
graudfather's will, are each left 5000
month for a period of 125 months.
Nothing was heard of Mrs. Hollow
bush, and Boyd, who, in January. 1862,
had married Jean McGregor, remained
here and by careful investment amass-
ed a large fortune, purchasing blocks
of realty in this city in what is now
known as the wholesale district, and
also buying lands in various parts of
the State. He also invested in gilt
edged securities, with the result that in
a few years he was considered one Of
the wealthiest San Francisco capi-
talists.
FORGETS FIRST WIFE.
In the meantime Mrs. Hollowbush
remained in Philadelphia. She held no
communication with the Boyds and in
consequence the capitalist and his fam
lily, which consisted of his wife and two
sons, George Davis Boyd and Henry
ST. Clair Royd, were greatly surprised
when in March, 1897. she arrived in San
Francisco and called upon the capital
ist. What took place at the inter
view between Boyd and the womaH
from whom at that time he had been
divorced forty years is not known, but
it resulted in the signing by Mrs. Hol-
lowbush of document declaring that
she was not the wife of Alexander
BOYD and that for the sum of $500 she
waived any claim she might have
against him or his estate. Then she
returned to Philadelphia, and was not
heard of again until a year after
Boyd's death, which occurred in Feb
ruary, 1903. Then she startled the fam
lily by appearing. through Lloyd &
Wood and Bishop, Wheeler & Hoeffier,
as the widow of Boyd. She asked to
have his entire fortune distributed to
her as his widow, claiming that she
was the victim of a fraudul1ntly OBJ
tanned divorce.
Boyd left a will devising his entire
estate to jean McGregor Boyd, whom
he declared to be his wife. She was
only devised a life interest in the es-
tate the property upon her death to go
to the two sons.