The herald., 1894-12-29
THE MISSING MRS. MAJORS,
No Trace Can Be Found of
the Santa Cruz Widow.
Theory That the Woman Was Alb.
Quoted Advanced.
A Suit for Breach of Promise Against
Miilionaire's Son Figures In
the Case.

By THE HERALD's Leased Wire.
SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 2s.-Mrs. Robert
Majors of Santa Cruz has not only van.
ished, but every day the mystery OF her
disappearance becomes more pro-
nounced.
Although she left her home over q
month ago her relatives have received
no tidings OF her and all efforts to dis
cover her whereabouts have proved
futile. The widespread interest mani
tested by her disappearance and the
many theories advanced as to its cause
arc in measure due to the fact that
she is the plaintiff in $50. 600 breach
OF promise suit against Harry Oowell.
Both arc we'll known throughout the
state.
THE MISSING WOMAN.
Mrs. Majors is the granddaughter of
Alcalde Rafael Castro. who was one of
the lsrgest land owners in California a
century ago. and died leaving a rich
heritage and an honorable name for his
descendants. Harry Cowell is the sec.
ond son of Henry Cowell, the million
Aire whose dollars have been made in
lime. The case was originally set for
trial in the superior court of Santa Cruz
county, but young Cowell succeeded In
having it transferred to the United
States district court. As it was expect
ed the trial would begin early in Feb
ruary the friends of Mrs. Majors are ut
terly at loss to account for her disap-
pearance. They say she told them be.
fore leaving home that her object in
going to the city was to prepare for the
trial.
So utterly lost lie Mrs. Majors that
her friends firmly believe she has been
abducted. They say she took her
youngest child with her, intending to
place him in one Of the orphan asylums
or the children's homes, but inqu at
the various institutions reveals no trace
OF the child. The friends of Cowell
scoff at the idea OF an abduction and say
that Mrs. Majors is trying to secure
public sympathy through her disap.
pearance. Majors was shot in Santa
Cruz saloon four years ago.
Majors an friend, q man named
Harris, quarrelled. The latter shot
Majors three times and then the wound.
ed man sent six bullets through Harris
body. Majors fingered for some days
before he died.
THE SUIT AGAINST CowELL.
1t was during the last days of Majors
life that young Cowell. man OF %
years OF age, first made the acquaint-
ance of Mrs. Majors and one OF the re-.
suits Of that meeting was the suit for
$50, 600 commenced two years ago at
Santa Cruz.
Cowell was foreman OF a lime kiln in
Santa Cruz at the time of the meeting
with Mrs. Majors. He called at the
home of the dying man to inquire as to
his condition, and after Majofs'M death
gave the widow his advice in business
and other matters. He spent much
time at her home. laid siege to her sffea
ti0ns, and In due time won the heart of
the matron who was Is years his senior.
In her complaint Mrs. Majors details
the preparations for the wedding, which
was to have taken place in San Jose, and
tells OF her disappointment when her
youthful lover failed to meet her at the
appointed time.
When she began the suit over year
and Q half ago, Mrs. Majors did not
know her lovers baptismal name, but
shs asked $4,000 for the mental an
guish caused by his failure to carry out
his promise and $40. 900 for the support
OF child. the paternity Of which she
attributed to him. ..4
1t was sometime before service could
be obtained on Cowell, as he had gone
to his home in the state of Washington
without giving the plaintiff any inior"
nation es to his whereabouts. When
he visited Santa Cruz last February the
papers were served and be prepared to
fight the suit. He had the suit trans =
ferred from the superior court of Santa
Cruz county to the United States dis.
trict court. Lloyd Tevis and Henry
Wadsworth were his bondemen.