The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29
MISS HASTINGS TO
PROVE COMPETENCE
Heiress to Big Estate Petitions
for Another Hearing in
Court

Miss Elizabeth Parker Hastings,
known in her. family as Bessie Hast
ings, granddaughter of Judge S. Clin-
ton Hastings. founder of the law col
lege bearing his name, plans to reopen
her tight for restoration to cornpe-
tency, it was announced yesterday.
Her petition will be as hotly resisted
as was the attempt she made two years
ago to have the stigma of mental in
capacity removed. Upon the outcome
of the controversy will depend Whether
Miss Hastings will herself control the
fortune of between 100000 and $780,
900 to which she is heir or whether the
property shall be handled for her by a
guardian. L. M. Hoef1er the attorney,
is her guardian, and has been for sew
eral years
Miss Hastings lives in England with
her stepfather, James w. Daniell, sur
viving husband of the girls mother,
Mamie Coghill Hastings Danie1I, whose
first husband was Harry G. Hastings
son of the judge Yesterday there was
filed with the county clerk a paper
signed by Miss Hastings in London,
England, April rs last substituting
Archibald J. Treat as her attorney in
place of H. w. Bradley. 1t was an
nounced by Treat that the purpose of
his retention in the case was to make
another endeavor to have Miss Hast
ings restored to competency.
FIRST PETITION DROPPED
Two years ago the heiress came to
San Francisco with her stepfather, and
there were numerous hearings before
Judge Graham on her petition to be de-
clared legally sound. Miss Hastings
herself was closely questioned by the
judge, and expert testimony was In
troduced. She returned to England,
however, before the hearing was con-
cluded, and later the petition was
dropped from the calendar without any
decision having been given,
Whether Miss Hastings will again be
brought to California has not been de-
cided. Attorney Treat said yesterday,
but he admitted 1t was possible she
would make a second trip here. The
attorney stated also that there is ab-a
solutely no criticism intended of Hoef-
ler's administration of the property.
but Miss Hastings felt that she was
mentally competent and wished above
everything else to have the stigma re-
moved from her name.
MISS HASTINGS RECEIVERS HEALTH
The fact that she has within the last
few months been declared competent
by an English court gives Treat ground
for believing the local court will take
the same course, he said. Miss Hast
ings' ipdisposition was the result of in
Juries TO the spine sustained shortly
after birth. She has been under treat
ment for this by eminent English ex-
perts, and Treat said 1t was testified In
the English court that she had entirely
recovered.
Hoeher. as guardian. will again re.
sist the application of his ward, and
Mrs. Clara L. Darling her aunt, and
Mrs. C. w. Maud, daughter OF Mrs. Dar-
ling, will join with him in the opposi-
tion.. They feel that IL the girl is re-
stored to competency her stepfather,
James w. Daniel, who is an English
barrister, will induce her to convert
her property into cash and remove it
from California. so that he himself may.
have the benefit and enjoyment of it.
Miss Hastings estate consists OF half
share in property worth 100000 at
East and Clay streets. which, however,
is mortEaged.. and an interest in the
Hastings trust