The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-02
FRANK RoDERIeUEgs MOTHER
The Thouwhtiess Taunt that Led 70 his Find-
ina Her al Last.

Severna Rodriguez, well-to-do Cuban
planter. dozen years ago married a girl In
Newburgh. in this State. where he was in the
habit of soiourning few months in each year.
RoderiRuez was an ardent patriot. and he spent
much OF his time In the mountains OF Cuba
with the leaders Of the insurgents. aiding them
with money and advice in their efforts 10 gain
liberty and Independence. In 1869. while Mr..
Rodriguez was filling the position OF chief
engineer on a largo sugar plantation near
Havana. the Spanish authorities commanded
him 10 quit the island with his family within 48
hours. 1t had been discovered that he was In
communication with the insurgents. His family
consisted Of his wife and two small children. and
alady friend OF Mrs. Roderlgeuz With Thorn Mr..
BoderiRuez Immediately took passage for New
York. being compelled 10 leave behind unsold a
large amount OF property. including his slaves
After arriving in this city. Mr.. Roderiguez took
his family 10 his wiie's former residence In
Newburgh. He was unable TO bear the climate
there in winter. 30 he went to Mexico rs an
agent for the Cuban insurgents, He soon died
in Mexico.
Roverses overlook Mrs. Rodriguez after the
death OF hor husband. and she was compelled
to support herself and little ones by acting as
interpreter for the families OF wealthy Cuban
exilcs In this city. She struggled bravcly to
maintain herself and children. but in 1870 she
was compelled to consien Thorn to the caro- Of
the Howard Mission. Under the rules OF that
institution she had TO sign on agreement that
she renowned all claims to her children until
they should each become IL years OF age. Her
son Frank was then a bright back-eyed boy OF
8 years. and her daughter was child OF years.
Several weeks after Mrs. Rodriguez left her
children, ut the Mission. young married
couple. Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas vi. Cox. OF New
ark. called ut the Mission TO get n boy to adopt.
They liked little Frank Roderiguez the minute
they saw him. and they decided to adopt h i'm:
Mr.. Cox wanted to take the little girl also. but
his wife was afraid that she could not attend to
two small children. so she took only the boy.
Newark halter. adopted tho little girl. and in
this way the orphans found good homes in tho
same city Mrs. Ehlers became Yassl,opnately
In time Mr.. Cox died, and. in about two years.
furnitTro" dealer at al $50 Broad street Frank
koderiguez went with his foster mother. He
had been sent 70 private school but he after
about two years ago. n little girl tainted Frank
With being an orphan saving that Mrs.
that hour, he was anxious TO see his
real mother. who he was told. was
ye Ills gre, %a as so pns12bhie ,n9 MTs
feared to lose him. resolved to find Mrs. Roderi-
guez II possible. She inserted advertisements
were finally seen by Mrs. Roderiguea. who had
married \ Hudson River steamboat captain
| named walker OF NeWOurgh. Mrs. walker
wrote 20 Newark. learned that her boy was we'll
and wanted to be with her. 50 she went 10 New
ark after him last week.
Franks mother and Mrs. Van Horn look like
sisters both having hair and eyes Of the same
! color, and their features are alike. Mrs Walker
took Frank home with her, but she left the little
! girl with Mrs. Ehers on Mrs. Van Horns telling
! her that the child had good homo and every
| comfort. The mother did not visit the little
| girl. saying that II she did she would not be
able to refrain from meki ing herself known.
| The little girl and boy have never mot since
they have lived in Newark.