The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-06
A MAN WITHOUT A MEMORY.
Was M. APPEL Deported From His
Country for a Reason
LOVED A GOVERNORS DAUGHTER
Queer Stories About a Man Who Is
Alleged to Be Insane, or
Temporarily So.

Martin Apel has perhaps loved unwisely
and too well. The cause of his having
come on board the steamer San Juan at
San Jose de Guatemala and the rumOrs OF
his affections for the daughter of Gov
ernor of the Central American republic
have only partly been known TO outsiders.
His history is one of the mysteries Of the
San Juan that her crew does not seem dis
posed to speak about.
The steamer arrived last Saturday, and
APPEL was on board OF her as passenger
in the cabin. Several hours later he was
hurried away to the city hospital, where
he was examined by DIR. Berry, it being
alleged that the strange man with story
that is hidden away in his diseased mind
is insane.
The patient does not appear to be insane
as his enemies declare he is, but he suffers
from loss of memory. is childish at times,
but never violent.
Mr.. APPEL, so the rumor has it, was not
out of his mind when in his own country.
There we're times when he appeared to
suffer from brain trouble, but some of the
people on the San Juan say that when he
came on board he was perfectly rational.
DR.. Robinson and the purser know great
deal about the story, but they cannot con-
sistently repeat it. Such secrets it is, of
course, part of the business Of steamship
line TO protect.
The story of APPEL. as il is reported by
tho Sc who claim to have heard it told in
Central America. differs good deal from
that told by persons who are alleged to be
acquainted with the inward history OF the
man. To decide which version is correct
would require a special trip to Central
America.
Itois said upon pretty good authority,
and the San Juan's minor officers say they
heard the fact so related also, that APPEL Is
a man of wealth. He owns lands that
bring in an immense income. He has re-
sided in tropical America for a number of
years, and up to short time ago took an
active interest in the politics and financial
affairs of that country. He was a sue
cessful planter and managed to accumu-
late 80 much wealth that his neighbors
became jealous of him, but be had little
fear of molestation at their hands, for he
was an intimate friend of a number Of
inf1uenti officials of the Government.
A long tale is told of big scheme to get
rio of the man and incidentally to secure
control Of his property. What truth or
otherwise there may be in this rumor it is
impossible to ind out. as so many contra
dictory statements are made on the sub
ject. 1t appears conclusive, however, that
the gradual weakening of the mans force
of character and his love for girl whom
one of the chief executives of the State De-
partment desired TO win had much to do
with his depOrtatioD, if the sending of him
TO a San Francisco hospital can be so
called.
The girl is the daughter of Governor
Manuel Guerriez, according to slip of let
ter paper held by passenger who was on
the San Juan. There may. however, be
some mistake about this name, but in any
event the young lady is the daughter OF
Governor, and her father was much
alarmed at her declarations of love for one
who people alleged was losing his mind,
but who to all accounts was misrepre-
sented. Again there is conflicting teSti-
mony, for as the San Juan approached
San Francisco the passenger became more
and more fOrgetful Of the past and relaxed
into an existence bordering on idi0cy
APPEL has property. but what has been
done with it? He was practically
shipped" out of his country, consigned to
the care of no friend or friends and is now
in confinement at the hospital, and will
probably be sent to an asylum, where all
traces of him would soon have been lost
had not his queer case attracted attention.
81 heard that the mans property was
confiscated," said one Of the San Juan's
crew. 81 don't know what for, but l sup
pose on account of some political offense.
know the fellow had money, for heard
several people say SO who professed to
have known him down south.
when he came on board the steamer
from barge the clerk OF the wharf, who
was in the boat. also said to me, There is
something very peculiar about that mans
case. There is something wrong some
where. l understand they are getting rid
of him. The clerk added that APPEL had
queer spells once in a while. but other
wise he is all right. He added He will
find himself in San Francisco poor man,
I'm thinking There must have been
some meaning to the clerks words"
APPEL seems to have no memory of his
troubles in the south. but says feebly that
after while all will come back to him.