The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-10
HEROIC Won SEUDEN.
How a Youthful Prisoner Saved
Three Children.

un Saturday last there applied at the new
City Hall an old woman named Mary Erick-
son for admission TO the Almshouse. For
almost thirty years Mrs. Erickson lived in
san Mateo County, near Hafmoon Bay.
Her name then was Won Seuden. She had
son named Henry, who, when II years
old, through the influence of bad company.
was arrested for theft and sentenced to in,-
prison ment in the County Jail. The story
Of the boy after his incarceration not only
redeemed him from his previous evil, but
showed that he possessed manly and heroic
qualities. and though criminal, his loss
became matter of public regret and sor-
row. His end was an untimely one, and
there was pathos about it which many an
Old resident of San Mateo County may still
feel when memory brings back the story Of
young Won Seuden's unfortunate death.
twaS In 1851 that the boy was serving
MS term, and so exemplary was his conduct
while in prison that Sheriff George w.
Green conceived personal liking for the
youth. So great was his regard for the boy
that one day he took him out OF prison,
placed him on parole, and took him for a
SAL down the creek running from Redwood
City TO the bay.
THE BOAT CAPsIZEs.
In the party. besides the Sheriff and his
prisoner, were Mrs. Green and her three
Children. When near the mouth of the
creek the boat upset, and all were precipi-
tated into the water. Won Seuden was a
good swimmer, and at no time was he more
than twenty-five feet from the shore.
IL was good chance to escape, but he did
not try 10 do so. Instead he sustained him.
sell In the water and assisted in saving the
llves OF Mrs. Green and her three little ones
for fully half hour. lie could easily have
reached the shore had he thoughtof his own
life. Had he been merely thief, hs
would have struck out for the shore and
freedom from prison bars. But neither
desire for liberty nor thought of his own
life tempted him tu desert the struggling,
helpless children and their mother in their
Supteme peril He remained with them
ana three times aided in reScuing them and
placing them on the bottom of the over
turned boat.
A HERo's DEATH.
Then as he was deyising a scheme to
place them on solid ground, and while tell
Ing MIR. Green OF his plan and urging the
latter to confidence and hope, lie sank be-
meath the waves ana perlshed, victim of
his own heroic generosity. Green himself
soon became exhausted and followed his
companion to watery grave. Mrs. Green
and her children were saved. Her hus-
bands body was soon recovered, but it was d
some days before Won Seuden's could be
found. W hen il was recovered, so great was
the feeling over his death and admiration
for his heroiSm, that a public subscription
was commenced to give Won Seuden a
proper burial. Mrs. Green, however, would
not allow the public TO contribute for such
purpose, and voluntarily came forward
and agreed to pay all the bills connected
with his burial.
The boys mother was then in San Fran
cisco and sent for the body. Mrs. Green
had IL placed IN handsome casket and
sent 1t 10 this city, where she also paid for
Its lnterment. This is The history OF the
case, as related at the time in the daily
paUerS