The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-09-12
THE ROMANCE OF A MERE BOY
Checkered Life of the Little
Shoemaker" of Whittier.
The Tragic Death of His Cousin
Makes Difference.
Dispositions Taken in Los Angeles In q
Contest Over $4,000 Life In
suranos Policy Adolph Fra
ker's Interest In 1t.

What the future has in store for
Adolph Fraker, bright young boy at
the Whittier state school, 10 matter
of considerable interest at present to a
few people who are interested in him.
His life 60 lar is strangely interest
ing romance, and his short Is years
have been crowded with sharp con-
trasts.
For several days past commission
has been engaged in taking dispositions
in this city to be cent east, in case
which will very materially affect his
life.
The case in which these dispositions
are necessary ia one in which certain
insurance companies are trying to avoid
payment of $5O,0 600 insurance policy
upon the life of DR.. G. w. Frsker, de-
ceased, who in his life conducted asani-
tarium at Excelsior Springs, Mo.
If the insurance companies fail in their
contest Adolph FrGker. now at Whittier,
and four brothers and sisters will share
the $4,000.
The manner in which the young walt
has been confronted with such pleas
ant prospect 10 we'll worth recital.
His father was q minister, who with
his family went to Oregon geveral years
age to take charge OF q small congrega-
ton near Portland. He was poor. very
many triala. He had seven children, for
whom it was sometimes an immense
problem to provide. Both he and his
70 ufol nd oh he.
fore he had got ready to put the win
dows and doors into small house he
had succssded in building, The chill
dren were all small and were thrown
upon the mercy Of the world. Homes
were provided for them all. in families
and charitable institutions, and the Its
tie family was scattered in many direc-
tions.
One OF the children, Adolph Frsker,
was more venturesome than the rest,
and drifted down from Oregon to Santa
Rosa. CAL, where he was in July, 1891,
when the state school at Whittier was
opened. He was being bufeted about,
and though only 10 years old was rap.
idly becoming sharp little street
ganin, when chance placed him in the
way OF being sent to the state school.
Some good people who had observed his
brightness procured his admission to the
school for five years, more to get him
home than for any viciousness that he
had displayed, and he has been there
until the present time.
The change that has been wrought in
the boy during his residence at Whittier
is very noticeable. He is q handsome,
manly chap, and as lieutenant of Com
pany B his martial bearing always at
tracts notice. He 10 also called the
"Little Shoemaker" that being the
trade which he ia being taught.
About year ago last Decsmber R. III.
f. Vsriel, a prominent attorney Of Los
Angeles, accompanied by middle.aged
stranger, called on DR.. Walter Lindley.
superintendent of the school. Mr..
Variel introduced the gentleman as DIR.
@. w. Fraker of Excelsior Syringe, Mo.
He proceeded to ask DIR. Lindlev if there
waa a boy in the institution named
Adolph FrRker, and when told that
there was exhibited considerable emo
ton. He said that he had been looking
all over the coast for him.
THAT boys father and my father
were brothers," he explained, land l
have been gathering his children to-
gether. 1t lie only short time ago that
learned of their misiortunes.'
Mr.. Frsker betrayed feeling that did
him credit, but is not necessary to de-
scribe, and which visibly affected Mr..
Variel and DR.. Lindley. He asked to
see his little cousin, and the party went
to the shoe shop, where Lieutenant
Fraker was discovered busily pounding
away on leather. The boy, OF course,
scarcely realized what all the ''fuss''
was about, but concluded it was pretty
good luck for such kind relative to
drop from the sky. Mr.. Fraker was
much interested in his good looking and
bright little charge. He stated that he
wished to have him remain at the
school until spring. when he would take
him to his home. He had no family
and had decided to bring all his cousins
to him and see that they had good edu-
cations. He arranged for special in
struction for Adolph, for which he paid,
among other things, engaging Miss 8.
|. Morgan to give him lessons in music.
The incident was nine days wonder
at the school, but gave way to the other
incidents, no prominence being given to
it by the management, and Adolph
waited with eagerness for the day when
he should 90 with his cousin.
His departure from Whittier had been
planned for the spring over year ago,
and as the day approached when DR..
Fraker was to leave Missouri to come
after him he could scarcely contain him
self
Two days before the date set for his
cousin to take the train, telegraphic dis
patches announced his death by drown
ing. Gently 40 it was announced to him
the little fellow nearly broke his heart.
He had set great store on the chances
that were opening before him, and for q
long time refuaed to bs comiorted.
When the will of DR.. Fraker was pro-
duced second surprise came to the
little shoemaker. 1t developed that he
had had his life insured for $4,000.
This, with the other property which he
had accumulated. he bequeathed to the
children of his fathers brother.
The insurance company instituted the
proceedings referred to, and it is this
contest in which the dispositions have
been taken. The company has been
represented by Judge W. A. Cheney,
and the executor by Judge M. T. Owens
in the proceedings.
There are now but five OF the children
alive, and it was not learned where the
others are. During the taking OF depo-
sitions Adolph Fraker was brought in
from Whittier and was asked number
Of questions. All who ale brought in
contact with him are charmed with his
manly nualitiaa and all Who kuow him