The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-08
A REUNITED FAMILY.
Both SEVERN Children Restored
to Their Father.
GUssIE IS ATTENDING COLLEGE.
Waif OF SeattIe's Streets Now In Happy
Home-His Sister Finally Yields
to Paternal Affection.

Many readers OF the PosT-INTELLIGEyCER
recoliect the interesting and romantic
story of August SEVERN, who last Novem-
Der. after search of more than ten years
to recover his two children, found his lost
son Gussie on the streets OF Seattle. Those
whose sympatnies we're enlisted in the tale
OF this br0ken-hearted fathers efforts TO
gather again into his household his chill
dren, this son Gussie and daughter who
was afterward found in San Francisco, will
be glad to hear that he now has them both
with him in his home in Philadelphia. A
letter received from his sister, Miss Z. Sew
erin by Probate Judge Osborn, states that
the daughter. who at first refused 10 go
with her father, became dissatisfied with
her adopted home and asked to be taken
to her father, and is now there with her
brother.
This is the elimination of one OF the
most remarkable tales in real life ever re-
corded. August SEVERN, the father, is
man about 80 years OF age. In 1874 he
married in Philadelphia, and about year
later Gussie was born. Shortly afterward
his wife left him. and after their separation
his daughter Virginia was born. The
father continued TO support his wife and
children after their separation. They both
continued to live in Philadelphia, Mrs.
SEVERN living with her mother, who kept
clearinghouse for theatrical people. The
young vile had passion for the stage,
which was the cause OF her ruin and world
OF woe to the father. She met variety
actor named Thomas Morris, who per-
suaded her to elops with him, and they dis
appeared with the children. The father,
almost heart-broken over the loss
of his children, at once sac
rificed every other purpose of his life 20
recover them. For over ten years he
travelled throughout the country without
inaing trace of them. The expense of
time and money in the frui.less search re-
duced his fortunes, and Tor years kept him
on the verge OF poverty. In April, 1889,
he learned UNEXPECTEDLY of clue to bis
lost ones. His sister in Philadelphia was
told by a strolling actor that his children
and Morris were in san Francisco, and
informed her brother. He Immediately
began corresponding with Secretary Hun
ter, of the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty 10 Children. The knowledge thus
gained Increased his anxiety to recover
the fragments of his broken household.
His wife was dead, and Morris had been
arrested and fined SD for cruelty to lost
little ones. Morris soon afterward disap-
peared from San Francisco. The daughter
was located in Sacramento, where she had
been adopted by q theatrical man. Mr..
SEVERN went to San Francisco and trac I'd
Morris to Portland. He followed and
there learned that his sen was in Seattle
living with variety ACTOR named Wallace.
He Immediately came to this city. With
the assistance of Judge Osborn he found
his son on the streets selling papers. The
meeting was very pathetic one. The boy
had grown from a child of years
to a boy of II since seeing his
father, and of course could realize no filial
affection for the father who had given the
best years of life in desperate search for
his children. II took much persuasion to
induce the boy to return with his father,
but he finally consented. On his way to
the depot, however, he repeated of his
promise and bolted and ran into the dark.
He was afterward taken to police head
quarters, where he drew knife and swore
that he would kill himself rather than
leave Wallace and 60 with bis father. The
broken-hearted father was obliged to leave
Seattle without his son. From here he
ii
possible But her adopted people refused
to give her up and she had no desire to go
with father whom she had never known.
The father returned to his home in the
East in spair.
A few weeks after he left Seattle his
sister arrived here to make final effort 10
gain the affections of Gussie, and if posi-
Bile induce him to return with her. She
remained here several weeks, and finally
succeeded in winning the chiid's consent
to return with her. She wanted to go to
Sacramento from here and get the daugh-
ter if possible. Gussie refused TO go that
way, and insisted upon going directly
home from here, and she finally thought
it wise to do so. In her letter to Judge
Osborn she relates the recovery of the
daughter as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. "a, 1890.
Judge Richard Osborn, Seattle Dear Sir:
After all the kindness you had Tor u. and the
interest you took in Gussie, think il my duty
to let you know how he is getting along. l
would have written long before but waited to
have something to say about his sister. Would
you believe it? Jennie Is with her father these
past two months. Itseems that angry feelings
arose between her and Mr.. Fonteneau He no.
titled Mr.. Hunter secretary OF the Society for
the Prevention OF Cruelty TO Cbildren) aud gave
up all claims to her. Mr.. Hunter Immediately
wrote to my brother for money, say ing that
Jennie was willing TO go home. My brother
SAYS he is very much pleased with her
She is not at all what we feared she
might be- Surely it is all the Lords doings that
Gussie made me come home Instead of going
after her, for it makes her less independent,
having come of her accord. As for Gussie, he
is real nice boy. and shows us a great deal of
affe elton. AT first he was little Independent.
We put him to col ege. which did him much
good The professor said he was bright boy
and very anxious to learn. The only fault we
find with him is that he has not as much en-
ergy as good will. Ithank you once more for
all the kindness you had for Us. Please remem-
Der me TO Mr.. Mitchell. who was so paiientevery
time called on him in nay excitement. Most
respectfully, Miss Z. SEVERN.