Spreckels

Shortly prior to her death, Anna C. Spreckels, the mother of the plaintiffs, made to the latter gifts of certain corporate stock. The defendant claimed, as it still claims, that the gifts were made in contemplation of the death of the donor and to take effect after that event and that, therefore, the transfers were and are subject to taxation under and by virtue of the provisions of the statute known as the Inheritance Tax Law.

This action was instituted by the plaintiffs for the purpose of obtaining a decree quieting their title to the property involved in the said transfer as against the said claim of the defendant.

Findings and judgment were in favor of the plaintiffs, and the appeal here is by the defendant from said judgment.

On the twenty-sixth day of December, 1908, Claus Spreckels, a California pioneer and a San Francisco citizen of note and enormous wealth, died testate, in the city of San Francisco, leaving a vast amount of real and personal property, moneys, mortgages, and bonds. Surviving him were his widow, Anna C. Spreckels, and five children, among the latter the plaintiffs herein,'all said children being the issue of said deceased and said Anna C. Spreckels. The…