The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-18
ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.
A Woman Who Claims to be Newton
Booths Daughter.
Tho Strange Story Related by Mrs.
Sterrett to a San Francisco
Newspaper Reporter.

That there had been romance OF some
sort in the early life of the late Newton
Booth, many of his friends were well
aware, but few were prepared for the
story related TO the San Francisco Ii
dgaiaer by Mrs. Sterrett of that city,
who lays claim to being the daughter OF
the deceased merchant-statesman THIS
lady was named by Mr.. Booth in his Will
as one of the benefciaries of his estate,
he awarding her 900 in money and 100
shares of his stock in the Booth Mercan-
tile Company.
1t now appears that she announces her.
self as his daughter, and it is said she
proposes to contest his will, under the
belief that the courts will award her q
greater share of it than the viii accords
her.
The story is not without touch Of ro-
nance, and is told by Mrs. Sterrett in a
simple and earnest way.
]. Newton Booth came to California III
the year 1850 He was then % years OF
after this he engaged in the mercantile
business, and from the start was pros
porous.
AT this time there was living at the
house on the northeast corner OF Howard
and First streets, which was later known
as the residence OF Judge Pratt, young
widow by the name of Emily Putnam.
AS the story is told by Mrs. Sterrett, Mr..
Booth became attached to Mrs. Putnam
and finally proposed marriage. The ouer
was accepted, but for some reason which
does not appear the ceremony was de-
layed.
AT THE PISTOLS POINT.
ness called Booth from San francisco,
and during his absence a rival appeared
IN the person of man named Smith, and
SO successful was he in his suit that Mrs.
Putnam, disregarding her promise to
Booth, allowed herself to be led to the
altar by her new love.
1t was not, however willing match by
any means, for as Mrs. Smith told often
afterwards it was only at the point of Il
pistol that she finally consented to be-
come the wife of her persistent sutton.
On the very day OF the wedding. in
May, 1856, Booth returned to san Fran
cisco in the hope Of making Mrs. Putnam
his wife within the following week. He
brought with him valuable set Of jew
elry as wedding present, comprising
earrings, brooch and bracelets.
That he was overwhelmed at the event
that had taken place only few hours be-
fore his arrival may be well imagined
and after hasty preparations he imnedi-
ately left the State on an extended trip &c
Europe.
1t is said that those are still living who
remember the sensation the affair occa-
stoned, and many will now see the sig
nificance of the reply that Booth always
made in after years 10 the question why
he remained bachelor: Il loved once
but | could not marry the woman of my
CHOICE
AS before stated, the Smith-Putnam
wedding took place in May, 1856. On the
18th of July of the same year little Emma,
now Mrs. Sterrett, was born.
The married life of the Smiths, ushered
in at the point Of a pistol, was by nc
means happy one, so after years tur-
bulent union a separation took place, and
Smith left for parts unknown, and was
never again heard from.
HIS PURSE ALWAYS OPEN.
In the meantime, however, Newton
Booth had returned to San Francisco. His
love for the lady of his choice was soft
ened into that OF pity, and his purse was
alwas open to the woman whom he ac-
knowledged to be the mother of his
daughter.
After a divorce had been secured by
Mrs. Smith, Booth, it is said, renewed
his suit, but then Mrs. Smith was obdu
rate and declared that she would never
again marry.
After the election of 1871, when Bootl
won the Gubernatorial fight, an open rup
ture occurred between Booth and Mrs
Smith over the fact that little Emma, now
10 years of age, had not been christened
Booth threatened that if the child should
be baptized in any other name than tha
of Emma Booth'' he would disinherit
or stop the ample allowance that he haC
been making her almost from her birth
while Mrs. Smith, anxious TO save he.
child from the reflection that would b,
cast upon her by allowing her to bear thu
name of any one but that of her HUSBAND
at the time of her birth was equally de
termined.
When at the age of II Emma Smith, O
Booth, was wooed and won by youn!
man named George Fowler, the son of
maker of fireworks, whose place was OIL
Market street. From the first the uniol
was an unhappy one. Fowler turned on
to be a heavy drinker and deserted hi
home for long period at time. Ii
not only took possession of the regula
monthly allowances which came from
Booth, but was successful himself in max
ing demands for money upon his gener
Gus benetactor.
FAILED IN HER DUTY.
This unhappy marriage only the fur
ther incensed Booth against Mrs. Smith
whom he charged with having failed ii
her duty as a mother in allowing tn
union to take place. But the purse
{stripgs We're never tied, and liberal allow
ances We're made for the comfort Q
Emma, just the same as they were in tn
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