The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-24
SEVEN TIMES MARRIED.
The Remarkable Career Of a California
Woman.
She Has 0utlived Her Husbands, Nearly AL
Of Whom Met With Violent
Deaths.
Written for THE NoRNISs CALL

Near the old mission of San Juan, in San
Benito County, lives an old woman whose
life has been veritable romance. She has
been married no less than seven times, and
for years was counted among the wealthy
women Of California. Now, In her old age,
she is alone, almost friendless and an object
of charity. The story Of her matrimonial
experiences and of their sequels, In nearly
every instance tragic, is well worthy
of recital. While she was yet a
young girl she gave her heart and hand
TO a dashing officer of the Mexican
army, named Ramon Sanchez, who in
1893 received from the Mexican Government
as a reward for his services a grant of
$1,000 acres of land near San Juan. After
his marriage he settled down On the grant,
which from an incident which occurred
during the erection of 4 dwelling place was
called FL Rancho de Las Animas" 0he
Ranch of the Spirits) While rambling
through a canyon on his property the erst-
while warrior Was terrified by the peal5 of
the old mission bells at San Juan, and the
sounds they made must have been beautiful
rather than alarming But he had ne yer
heard the chimes before and ascribed the
noises to some supernatural power. Re-
turning as fast as he could run TO where the
workmen were employed he declared the
spirits. a little explanation soon di spelled
his fears. and it was decided that Las
Animas" would be a good name for the
ranch.
The home was happy one, blessed by
four children. 1t seemed as though fortune
was smiling on the couple until one luckless
day, when the husband attempted TO cross
a small river, which was swollen by the
winters rains, in an impr0yised boat
which proved unequal 10 carry him. He
was drowned, and lot Of treasure was lost
with him.
LONE WIDOW.
Mrs. Sanchez was left with the 60, 000-a acre
farm and about 5000 head of cattle, and
naturally enough the competitors for her
favor were numerous and ardent. The sue
cessor to the management OF her affairs was
a DIR. White, who maintained his position
as stepfather and second spouse but a
snort time. After breaking the monotony
OF life at Las Animas by various sprees, he
became EN- broiled in quarrel with the ad-
minlstrator of his predecessors affairs Not
being satisfied With the way in which
the provisions of the will Of the late
Mr.. Sanchez were being carried out.
be ventured 10 voice his objections, which
were not received with respect The re-
suit OF the alteration was challenge and
then duel, which ended most disastrously
for both participants.
Mir. White was shot and fell to the pround
apparently dead. This termination to the
combat evidently displeased the onlookers.
for they Immediately resolved themselves
into vigilance committee and told the
victorious duelist be had but few min
utes to live. Suddenly White revived and
rendered the committees work superhuous
b. shooting its intended victim from behind
The fighters both died.
ANOTHER VENTURE.
Once more an army Of suitors appeared
upon the scene and strove TO win what was
left Of the widows heart and incidentally
TO share the immense fortune which the
60,000 acres had developed into.
The candidate who approached nearest to
her ideal as a husband was the family dec
tor. and he was duly installed as master OF
Las Animas ranch, second stepfather to
some OF the rising generation, first to others
and third spouse 10 the owner of the ranch.
Inc family doctor held the fort no longer
than Mr., White.
Shertly after the two beeaye one Ii be-
cane necessary for the doctor 70 take trip
TO San Francisco. and, while travelling on