The morning call., 1892-07-24

Is IN Iarls competing
Dr. Alfred Gros- his medical studies 1t
is supposed that young Mr.. Gros. On learn
Ing Of the disappearance of his father, ha d
Immediately left for GrenOble to apprise his
grandfather of the sad intelligence. in
structing his friend. MI Pissis, TO wire to
this city. DR.. Gros' aged mother died bout
a month ago and he was on bis way to
GTenOble 10 consult with his father as 10
whether he and his family should take up
their residence there with him, or whether
he should come TO San Francisco and live
with them.
OF course it is only q matter OF con-
lecture that DR.. Gros is dead as there is the
probability that be may have been picked
up alive by some passing vessel, but the
presumption is that he Is no longer among
the living.
DR.. Gros left this city for New York on
July , number Of personal friends and
his wife and daughters bade him gOOd-by
at Oakland and be was then IN excellent
spirits, the only trouble he had being the
natural one Of leaving his wife and family,
70 whom he was pass0nately attached. He
had a return ticket and was 10 be absent
about six weeks. He sailed on the steam
ship la BOurgOgne for Havre. and the day
OF his departure wrote long and affection
ate letter 10 his wife, telling her Of
his trip across the continent and other
Incidents. That was the last heard
from him. That his unexpected death
Is the result Of an accident none Of his
friends for a moment doubt. The idea of
suicide IS secuted. He was in easy circum-
stances, was deeply attached 10 his children
ana was pasSiOnately fond and proud OF his
beautiful and accomplished wife. No en-
taDglement IN any shape or form IS even
hinied al OF late years he had been
troubled with asthma and 1T SurmIsed that
he left his cabin during the night 10 get re-
lief from an attack and in the darkness
stumbled overheard. Another theory is
th2t being a great sufferer from SeasickneSS
he may have, iu a violent lit of retcning.
OveTDaianced himself and fallen into the
sea. 1t IS said that during his previous trip
across he was sick the whole way. Tbs
truth may never be known.
There Is tiDge of romance in the life of
DT. eros. lie was born in GrenOble, De-
partment OF I>ere, France. and came to
California by way OF Cape Horn in 1852,
when i years OF age. His parents had pre-
ceded him and left him in Grenoble 10 fin
ish MS education. His father at the time
Of his arrival IN this country was teaching
school at Mark West Greek, SOuOma
County, but some years afterward returned
TO Gcengble, became Mayor of The town and
amasscd fortune.
Young Gr0s first turned his attention to
mining and worked for some years in the
mines In Trinity County. He then came 10
San Francisco and learned the drug busi-
ness with ROturier. under the Commercial
Hotel. corner Pacific and kearny streets.
himself IN store on Stockton street, near
Green. He removed from there to the cor
ner Of Washington and Dupont, then to the
middle Of the" block on Washington, be-
tween Dupont and Kearny, and % years
ago moved TO the corner Jf Washington and
kearny. he continued Drnspering in this
store and sold out on May IS. 1891, TO the
present proprietor L. j. Theyenet. After
selling ont he bought a large piece of prop
erty on the northwest corner of Sacramento
a hal fry haf IN ha
the best way of investing his capital.
DR.. Ores was tall, handsome gentleman
OF pleasing address. About the time be re-
moved II The corner Of Kearny and Wash
lngtOn. he made tie acqu uaintance of Louise,
daughter OF NJ. Louis POnZddOuX. one of
his clients, and soon fell ID adiy in love with
her. Miss Louise was acknowledged to be
the most beautiful young lady in the French
colony; indeed, she was recognized as a
leading beauty in the State of California ia.
The young druggists ardent passion was
IecipT0cated, and the handsome couple were
made one in the French church OF N0tre
Dame des Victories on Bush street. Their
married lifs has been an exceedingly happy
one, and four beautiful chlidTen-a boy
and three giris-have blessed their union.
Mrs. Gr0s Is not only tail, handsome
Inatron. but she is a charming cOnyersa-
tiOnal,t and a highly accomplished and
cultured lady. The three daughters have
Inherited their mothers beauty, and tue
son IS d handsome athletic-lCoking young
fellow. de graduated last year al COoper's
College in this city. and went TO Paris 10
December last to complete his studies.
While here he was q member OF the Olym-
pic Clue, and won several medals for wrest-
Ii 2 and other athletics.
Dr.. Gros had not seen his parents for
many years, and after he had earned com
potency the longing to see them in their old
home took possession Of him and grew till
in March, 1890, he determ ned to crafty his
desire aud take in the Paris Exposition at
the same time. lie took his handsome wife
with him, but surprise was in store for
him. When he presented himself at his
fathers house, instead of being received
with open arms lie was met with doubt and
dIstruSt The parents had amassed wealth
and they looked upon this tall. broad
ShOuidered stranger as an lmpOstor, person
atng their son with the object OF getting
money out of them. He soon removed their
doubts when he showed them a birthmark
Ia the shape of sort OF web between two
fingers on one OF his hands and between
two toes on one Of bis feet. Then joy and
Eladness took the place Of doubt and dis
trust, for son, whom they had given up
for lost returned 10 them, and they had
found a daughter, whose peerless beauty
and accomplishments entTanced them. Was
not this an exemplifcation Of the saying
that truth is stranger tn sfcIon."
81 At his Fathers request DR.. GrOS made
another trip to Grenoble IN March, 1891,
when the old gentleman made him a pres
eut OF a con sideTabie sum OF money. Shortly
alter his return TO this city he made an
other trip to GTenOble, taking his wife and
three daughters with him. He came back
here alone, his wife and daughters making
more extended visit and not returning for
some weeks aiteTward News having
reached him Of his mothers DEATH he left
on his fourth trip On July 2, as already
stated, 10 see If his father would return to
California with him and If not he and his
family were to remove to Grenoble. And
Il Is while on this voyage Of love toward an
aged parent that he met, as is supposed.
with watery grave.
Mr. Theyenet, who is one OF DR.. GrOs'
Oldest friends, was seen by a reporter of
The CALL yesterday. Speaking of the
mysterious disappearance Of his friend, he
said: 1T must have been an accident, as
know Of no reason why he should have
committed suicide. l saw him an hour be-
fore he left the city on his journey and he
was in hrst-rate spirits. He bought return
ticket and was to be back In six weeks. lie
was neither drinking man nor a smoker,
being exceedingly temperate in his habits,
and was always happy Ia bis domestic rela-
tioDs."
At the Cereie Francaise the members, who
knew DIR. Ores well, seemed dazed at the
news, and were eager 10 learn fuller details,
which, unfortunately, could not be gwen.
he was popular member of the club
Mrs. Gros is suffering intensely over the
agOn4Zing suspense. She can hardly realize
that she IS a widow, aud her constant cry is
'Ob, II | only could have seen him, even In
DEATH" Her friends will not permit stran-
gers 10 see her. Further news is anxiously
I'D Il.