A Strange Case
How a Widow is in Danger of Losing Her Property.
In
this strange world we hear of singular crimes, events and phases of
life, and often times the truth is more sensational than the fancy of
fiction, but it frequently remains concealed from the public curiosity.
A strange case in this city has been investigated by a reporter of The
Kaleidoscope, which is no more or less than an attempt to deprive an
estimable lady of her home and property, through the machinations of an
unprinciple man.
The lady in question is Margaret D.
Walkinshaw, who lives on I street, just south of First street; where she
owns good property. For several years, or in fact since her house was
built, she has permitted her brother-in-law, Dave Henderson, to occupy
two rooms in the rear of the house without remuneration, and he now
comes forward and claims the property on the ground of continued
possession. Some few weeks ago he gave a deed of the property to a
woman named Turner, who served notice on Mrs. Walkinshaw to vacate the
premises at once also notifying a tenant to do the same.
Mrs.
Walkinshaw was naturally very much astonished, but more worried, as she
did not know to what extremes the interloper might go. She was annoyed
by Henderson until she could endure it no longer, and early last week
notified him to take his goods and leave her house. This he insolently
refused to do, and she removed them outside of the building herself and
locked the doors leading to the rooms he had occupied. He came to the
house on Friday night of last week, and, finding his chattels without,
proceeded at once to break down the door. She came out and asked what
he meant by it and for reply received violent threats. She went to a
neighbor’s and sent after officer Moesser and had him arrested.
He
had by this time carried much of his goods into the house, and refused
at first to open the door. He was placed in jail the remainder of the
night, and Saturday afternoon taken before Judge Marchant, who released
him on $100 bail. Now the strange part of the case is, how Henderson
has any claim to the property, and why he gave the Turner woman a deed.
Mrs. Walkinshaw’s father purchased the land from Lyman, Rich &
Hanks, some fifty-six acres in all, and had the deed recorded on March
8, 1858. On July 14, 1863, he deeded to Mrs. Walkinshaw the property
she occupies, some twenty acres, which s also recorded.
On
May 4, 1887, she deeded five acres to the Russ Lumber and Mill company,
and previous to that sold a right of way to the Southern California
company. The property, together with improvements, is assessed to her
and she has paid all the taxes. She has also paid all insurance, and at
different times has had tenants, from whom she has collected rents.
Henderson’s claim is based on the ground that he helped build the house,
and having lived there for so long, is in possession.
Mrs.
Turner is the woman who had the romantic experience some time ago with
one named Nykes. The latter pretended to be a wealthy old widower and
boarded at her home. In due course of time he fell in love with her and
she reciprocated. Things went lovely until the wedding day (a grand
feast had been prepared), when lo! the bridegroom cameth not; and, in
anger, and mourning some $50 or $60 of borrowed money, Mrs. Turner
sought the aid of the officers. Sykes was caught and sent up for ten
days for toying with the affections of his victim. Mrs. Turner had an
option on the Harlem property at one time, and hard to organize a
company for the purpose of establishing a grand sanitarium there which
would attract the attention of the world, but for the want of finances
it failed to go. She is well known among the newspaper offices, where
she has frequently presently manuscript for publication. She has not
recorded her deed to the property yet, but has been to different lawyers
in the city to secure counsel in the case. It will probably be a long
time before she secures possession of the house.
Mrs.
Walkinshaw is well known by the older inhabitants here, by whom she is
generally called “Aunty”, on account of her warm hearted disposition.
She is ever ready with a willing hand to assist in sickness or distress,
and her many acts of charity are appreciated by many warm friends who
will certainly come forward in deep indignation when they learn of this
contemptible attempt on the part of an unscrupulous scoundrel to deprive
her of her property.
~ The Kaleidoscope, San Bernadino, California, Saturday, July 4th, 1891.
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Dave
Henderson, the man who tried to steal the property of Mrs. Walkinshaw,
an account of which appeared in last week’s Kaleidoscope, was brought up
for trial before Judge Marchant last Friday and plead guilty as charged
and stated that he had no claim whatsoever to the property. He was
placed under $100 bonds to keep the peace.
~ The Kaleidoscope, San Bernadino, California, Saturday, July 11th, 1891.
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