The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-27

From the San Francisco Herald. July Is
The great interest excited within the past twelve
DAYS in this community, by suit now pending in
the Probate Court Of this city, relating TO the above
property, may make the subjoined narrative ofsone
int rest.
Alexander Leidesdorir and Annl Maria Spark, and
was born the Island Of Saint Croix, Danish
West Indies, on the I'D OF October, lolO. Having
been born in natural wedlock," he was formally
and legally legitimatzed by his father in court OF
record at Saint Croix, on the 18th oil July, 1857.
He was educated in part at the piece OF his birth,
ard ia part in Copenhagen but arrived al the age
of twelve years ia the United States, and at very
early age entered the American merchant service,
on board a vessel commanded by Capt. Goodrich,
in the employment Of the well known hrm OF Al
SOP and Chauncey, Of New York, engaged in the
West India trade. In this and other employments
he rose rapidly in the conf lence of his associates,
and soon became an officer, and subsequently, the
master of an American vessel sailing out of New
Orleans On the 18th day OF February, 1884, he
was made a citizen Of the United States, by letters
of naturalization, issued by the u > Court for the
caster district OF Louisiana By virtue OF this citi-
senship, he for nearly ten years commanded yes,
sells under the American flag out OF New York and
New Orleans, with credit TO himself and profit TO
his EMPLOYERS. On the 18th day Of November,
1910, he sailed from New York for this coast, ia
command Of the American schooner Julia Ann"
owned by John G. Jones, Esq, of Boston, late
u. 5. Consul at the Sandwich Islands, and former
Iyawell known resident Of California. He COM
manded this vessel for more than two years on the
coast of California, but her sale threw hun out OF
employment, and he then established himself az
merchant nj San Francisco, then called Ierba
Buena. In this new sphere, his energy and activity
soon gave him the confidence Of his fellow
citizens, and il is derogation 10 others to say
Weld 10 him one of the first places among her
most enterprisng and public spirited men
During all his residence IN this country, he uni
formly sustained the character OF patriotic Anne
rican, fond of the land Of his adoption, and ever
ready to lend helping hand to its citizens in the
hour Of their distress. He received the appoint
ment of u. 3. Vice Consul for the Bay OF san
Francisco, and In that station he won the conn-
dence and esteem Of all whose business made him
an acquaintance.
In all the early expeditions Of Col J. G. FIRE.
sasn,y cordially and seien,fy, and devoted much
time to the adv ancement Of United States interests
10 the neglect Of his own business. The same re-
mark Is applicable 70 the Psc,tc saussdrons eo som
brick. Biddle, and others. When the American
arms were weak in California, and Fremont, Sloaf,
and Stockton were struggling. rsmse from home
without funds or military supplies, ne was ever
ready with his purse and his credit for their rescue
The proof of this fact Is found IN the many thou
sands OF dollars advanced both Tor the mintary
and naval services OF ihe OnIeo S.es ~ .s.,
fernia, for which he or his representatives never
received any remuneration. The emoarrassments
growing out Of these heavy advances embittered
his former days, and al his death caused ms ssis
10 be declared insolvent. A deep gloom rervaded
the little village Of San Francisco on the lSsh OF
May, 1913, the day Of his death The feeling was
universally entertained and expressed, that the
most active and useful citizen Of the youthful me-
tropolis ofthe West had passed away forever. on
the following day all places of business were
closed, the flags Of the shipping, the forts and the
barracks were flying AZ halt mast, and minute guns
were fired from the ships and the forts, she long
est procession ever seen in san Francisco moved
slowly and gloomiiy 10 the tomb.
As an incident Of Mr. Leidesdorii's Commercial
life in California, and 10 enable him TO hold rea
estate under the Mexican laws, he became Cit
zen Of that republic early IN the year 1Sti. lie
became a holder Of considerable real estate, anc
this property, become suddenly valuable, has on
ginated the very extraordinary suit now pending
IN the Probate Court IL this city.
After the estate of MIR Liedssdorff had been fo
more then twelve months in the hands OF the ad
uinistrator, without any heir apearing to CLAIM
IT, a well known citizen of San Francisco left thi
Mace for the West Indies. for the purpose Of dis
covering the heirs, and II any were found, Of pro
curing an sgency for, or an interest IN. the inesta
estate Afier a residence Of some months In the
West ladies, the cole surviving heir, the mother
Anna Maria Spark, was found, aud the history o
tbe d,cpsstd was clearly traced from his birth I,
his death For a valuable consideration, th
mother Of the deceased willed an interest in tn
sstste 10 this gentleman, and gave him full an'
moot ample powers Of attorney tn represent he
interests IN this country. The negos'aton wa
earned ON through the courts " that Island, AM
tbe Governor General in person, aud they advises
and concuned in all that was done.
The testimony and powers based thereon, dul!