Walkinshaw, Margaret D. - 1891

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.

This might very well be the memorial for Margaret D. Walkinshaw.