Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-22
A Case Of Mixed Babies

A YOUNG GERMAN WHO SAYS THAT HE Is
REALLY A YOUNG MAN NOW LIVING IN DE
TROlT.
From the Detroit Evening Journal
The papers In a very strange case are being
prepared by well-known law firm in this city
The case T. an action in indictment, ia which
the plaintiff is Joseph B. Metz and the defend
ant a young man by the maine OF Hylebrone
alias Metz. The dispute between the parties is
in reference to a large farm located in tine north
eastern part of this state. The defendant In the
action has been living on the farm for the past
I'VE years and is known among the neigh bors
as Joseph Metz The story OF the plaintiff to
About nine years ago Joseph Metz, q Teuton
residing In the southern part of Germany, with
his good wife Catha. inc and his tive sturdy
boys, started for the United States. From the
sale oi this real estate he realized about $50 OOO
and with this sum he was able to buy a well.
eastern part OF the state, and sti.l have a neut
amount OF cash besides. He lived on the farm
for five years, but finally the desire to die in bis
native land TOOK such hold on him that in
1850 he and his wife made a deed OF the farm
to the supposed eldest son. the present occu-
pant, and returned to Germany. His death
Occurred about year ago.
The stansest part c!this narrative transpired
after his return to Germany. 1t appeared thai
at the time young Metz. the present occupant
OF the farm, was born there lived in the vicinity
0i Metz's place woman by tine name OF Mrs.
dyiebrone. S.ie was employed at various times
as nurse in Mctz's household, and was present
at the time young Metz was born. This woman
made some startling disclosures to the old man
Metz just before his death, which in substance
We're as follows:
At the time of the birth Of the child she also
had An infant sou, and, although she was very
poor, she desired that her son should be raised
in afhuence. As She had the entire control of
young Metz she one night after the infant =
birth substituted her own child and took Metz
to raise. The family never discovered this, and
young Hy iebrOne grew up 60 manhood as Joseph
Metz. She said that she had always regretted
the act, but was afraid 20 tell the truth. The
real Metz has always been known as her SON
The scenes ut the fathers deathbed when these
facts were brought out were affecting in the ex-
treme. The father refused at first to believe the
woman's statement and to recognize the young
man as his son; but finally, by circumstantia1
evidence. the truth Of the woman's statement
dawned upon him. and he received his newly.
found son. The revelation was as unexpected
to the son as to the father.
A few days later Mr.. Metz died, and, after
waiting short time in the old country, the son
came TO this city to commence proceedings
against the possessor of the estate in America.
He claims that he can eject the present occu-
pant, as the deed was made to Joseph Metz and
he has the facts In his possession to prove that
he is the party Intended. Hylebroue was natu-
rally very much surprised when the foregoing
statement was made to him. He refused 10
believe 1t, and declares that there is a con-
spracy to defraud him out Of his rights. His
in company with Metz. She SAYS she is yerv
sorry for what she has done, and 1t will be her
life work for the remainder OF her existence TO
bring matters "a tel, out right When the case comes
tional ones ever tried in the state. Mrs. Hyle-
bronze, the author OF the deception, is good
looking German woman, and appears to be
about forty years of age. She says that her
only desire In doing it was to benefit her child
and that she did not realize at the time the
terrible wrong she was committing against the
babes. The farm Is worth $4,000, as 1t is
in good condition. Metz is married, but has
no children.