The morning call., 1893-03-12
WHERE'S THE WILL
The Mysterious Stranger
From Mexico.
Many Friends of the Late Austin
Brown Are Growing Anxious
About the viii.

Before Fred Austin Brown shot himself
he told a good many of his bosom friends
that he would leave will when he died,
and that they would be remembered in it.
And to each one he added darkly that
they must not be backward about coming
forward when he died and claim their in
heritance.
A few days before the last election Fred
Austin Brown grew tired of life. Tuesday
night be took a crowd of friends to the
theater, buying a proscenium-bo for the
purpose, and after the theater there was a
jolly oyster supper.
There was no dlsagreeable feature to this
event. No one imbibed too freely of the
rosy, and Brown himself, a recent graduate
of gold-cure institute. did not drink at all.
Wednesday night, in his apartments at
Coroner Garwood's home, he killed himself.
And now there are great many people
searching for that will. No one appears to
know anything about it, and though there are
many searehers, the document has not been
found. Or. if it has been found, only the
finder knows of its existence, whereabouts
and contents.
One woman in particular, is deeply inter-
ested in finding the will. for many times
the deceased told her he had provided we'll
for her in his will.
She is Mrs. Brankin, the mother of the
young lady who was Browns fiancee. Sew
eral years ago the young lady died. just
short time after his mothers decease.
Then Browns heart was heavy and he
went off on trip to Europe. To down
his sorTows it was that he drank to excess.
He had ample means, and though not rich
perhaps, had yet no necessity to work for
livelihood.
Whrn he came back to San francisco he
saw much of Mrs. BEankin, and told her
very often that he should leave her enough
when he died to support her comfortably
without the need for her working.
he WAS much attached to the mother of
his dead sweetheart, and there is every
reason TO believe that he bequeathed her
modest competency-every reason at least,
except the one furnished by the seeming
inability to find the will
The Public Administrator has charge of
the personal effects of the late Mr.. Brown,
who shot himself. AS TO whether or not he
has found any personal property of the de-
ceased he declines to state to Mrs. Brankin,
says that lady.
She says she has been 10 see the Public
Administrator several times. but can get no
clear answer from him as to the amount,
if any, OF Browns estate, or whether a will
has been found.
Brown frequently told her he had box
at the Safety DepOsit vault where he kept
his money and valuables and often inti-
mated that his last will and testament
would be found there.
But the people at the Safety Deposit
vault are mum entirely when asked about
Browns box, and the Public Administrator
Will tell them nothing. they declare.
What has renewed the interest In this
search for Browns will is that q stranger
recently from Mexico put iu an appearance
at bicycle track often frequented By
Brown when in this life and asked where
he could DE found
Lew Hopkins was in charge when the
in IN
strangers question he answered:
You will find Brown out to the ceme-
terry
earth IS he doing out there?
Hes not on EARTH" said Hopkins, SOL
emnly. Hes under the earth.'
'Phew! said the stranger. "Well, I've
got some very valuable papers belonging to
him and a costly diamond ring. He gave
them to me to keep for him. l suppose ri
have to hunt up his heirs"
gested Hopkins.
'Pll go there at once" said the
stranger.
Aud that's the last seen or heard OF the
stranger as far as any one Interested
knows. Mr.. Garwood saws he did not
come to him, and no one knows where he
did 60
The stranger intimated to Hopkins that
the papers OF Brown concerned certain
valuable property, aud the diamond ring he
displayed could not be worth less than
5000.
1t was the kind of jewelry the deceased
wss in the habit of buying. He thought
that a good way to invest his money, and
bought literally.
Meanwhile an aunt of deceased the only
living relative known of, has engaged coun.
sci iu this city and is also hunting high
and low for that missing will and for that
stranger from Mexico with the valuable
papers.
That Brown had money there is little
doubt. When the Coroner took charge of the
body, but So was found upon 1t anu a few
trim kets, worth not more than $50. all told.
For thirteen years Brown had worked for
the Contra Costa laundry, and had made as
high as $500 month. During this time he
had been saving and thrifty, and must have
laid by neat sum for his wedding with
Miss Brankin.
When his mother died he fell heir to a
modest com mpetency, which was but the re-
malnder OF once ample fortune possessed
BY his father, who died before the mother.
For the last year and half prior to his
death Brown had not worked. He gave
away many valuable presents before he
killed himself, perhaps the most valuable of
which was a handsome diamond ring worth
500, which he presented to the Santa Rosa
dentist who, as friend, induced him to try
the gold cure.
To other friends in this city he gave pres
ents of jewelry of lesser value.
Now all these friends are looking for that
will.
OWED nALyU