The morning call., 1893-05-23
RIVER DENIED 1T.
His Correspondence With
Attorney Quint.
The Latter Addressed the Doctor
Who Said That Chris Was
Not His Son.

The first real bombshell on the part of
the opponents of Chris RIVER was exploded
yesterday morning by the production in
evidence of two letters.
For some time past the testimony intro
duced by the proponents of the will has
been in regard to the alleged paternity of
the man Aldecoa, husband of Donna
Dolores. of the boy Chris. Old Mexi-
can residents of Stockton have testified
that Aldecoa resided in that city prior to
the birth of the child, and that he ac-
knowledge being its father.
Yesterday morning the mnnotony of this
testimony was broken by the appearance
in court of Mrs. Leander Quint, widow of
Leander r. Quint, an attorney who was
very prominent in San Francisco in the
early seventies.
Mrs. Quint denied having given the at
torneys Tor proponents any letters found
by her among her husbands effects.
1t is practically admitted, however, that
the two letters in the possession of the
proponents are genuine.
1t is claimed that Chris asked Ouint to
appeal to Dr. Ryer on his behalf, and that
Quint sent the doctor the following letter:
SAN FRANCISCO, FEBRUARY l6, 1872.
Or. W. ~. Ryer-DEAR SIR: A young gentle
man. calling himself your son, has called upon
obtaining an education and something for his
support during his minority. l NV noliing
OF he young man except what he Informed me.
He seems. however. 10 be very likely lad,
ana should bope from his general appearance
he would never prove disgrace 10 any one.
hope you may feel II a duty to do something for
him. as lie Is now entirely out of employment
as an Informed, and We all know what
young boy OF his age IN poverty and want may
be forced 10 do 10 relieve the cravings Of
hunger.
VIII you let me hear from you or have con-
Terence with you upon the subject. and oblige
Address i. Qunt OF the finn OF Oulnt &
Hardy. room 80. Montgomery block.
DR.. Ryer replied to the letter as follows:
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. II, 1872
NJ L. Cunt-DEAR SIR: / thank you for
the courtesy manifested BY You in Informing
me of the application made to you.
am not aware. my dear sir, of being the
father OF more ihan one human being, and he
now lives at my house with my wife and my
self. am therefore surprised that another
should MAKE The ciaim alluded to by YOU I
have never been instrumental IN begeitng any
child now living except the one living with his
mo her, my wife. | have been told that a
woman from Mexico, who had children before
she came 10 California, and, therefore, was not
virgin at the time of her arrival since
then has had several children In the city of
Stockton and other places born TO her outside
OF wedock. and that the paternity of these chill
dren has been distributed so that probably
no TWO OF them claim the same father. ] have
been told Also that under tile council of evil
disposed persons, unfriendiy to me, the mother
and grandmother have given one of The said
children the name OF Ryer. 1t Is very natural
for child TO take the word of its mother as to
who Is its father. and the child Will turn to the
man pointed out for aid when its necessities de-
mand II; but 10 lis very different with the man
sought 10 be ylcImzed.
Now the difference or issue between the boy
you probably Indicate in your letter aud my
self Is Ibis: That upon hearsay (he does not
question the motiyes) he believes that l am his
father, Whilst l know am NOT.
could not have been present at the date OF
his conception nor could In any manner have
been inst umental in creating him.
agree with you, sir, that it is melancholy
sight 10 see children growing up aimess and
uneducated and with you, sir, and others do
charity. but with the extraordinary claim and
name oil this person ] am denied the propriety
Of doing even that.
You Will agree with me that II 1t is IN a bow
ne can as readily make himself prominent ]
man as he can be made by others. My own ex-
terience has been such, for from the age OF i z
L have worked by day and studied at night
until command profession In which l have
been honoIed.
The high and honorable position YOU occupy
I'D TINS community may as rightly be assailed as
The ono occupy, II The designing persons are
to BE- encouraged.
Tru sting that this long letter may be salts.
factory to you and remove any improper i'm
preston you have received on this subject. /
AIN respectfully yours. w. M. RYER.