The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-11
CHARGED WITH BURGLARY,
The Heir to an Immense Mexi-
can Estate in Prison
Here.
rs A WARD OF THE I. O. o. F.
He Is Thought to Be Innocent, and
His Legal Rights VIII De
Established.

Charles Quintero, 16 years of age, is a
particularly unfortunate lad. An odd
Fellows ward since he was years old and
the heir to a fortune in Mexico of several
hundred thousand dollars, which he has
so far been unable to obtain, he is at pres
ent being prosecuted on charge of burg
larly. He declares that ne is innocent of
the charge and has been mistaken for the
real criminal, who was his roommate. His
lawyer, Thomas K. Kase, who is also
prosecuting his claims to the Mexican es-
tate, is certain of the lads innocence, and
in support of his opinion points to the fact
that young Quintero, on learning where
the stolen property was concealed, in
formed the police and gave them the name
of the supposed guilty person.
Quintero and the accused thief occupied
a room together in a lodging-house on
Mission street. Certain property was
missed from the rooms of the dodgers, the
value of which amounted to $25 or $50.
Young QuinterO suspected his roommate,
and, on learning where the stolen goods
were hidden, told the police.
The supposed thief has not been found,
and Quintero says he is being held as a
hostage to justice, though it was through
him that all the stolen property Was re-
covered.
The history of the unfortunate lads in
heritance reads like romance. His
mothers name was Maria Aurora Servo.
Twenty-Five years ago she went to Los
Angeles to live, In 1876 she married
Manuel Quintero. In the following year
Charles was born.
During July, 1878, two years and five
months after the marriage, Manuel Quin-
tere died. The widow moved with her
baby boy to Sacramento, and in 1880 she
was united in marriage to Joshua d. Clev
enger. On the 21st of July, the same year,
Mrs Clevenger died Mr.. Cleyenger, up to
a short time ago, lived at 1136 Howard
street. in this City.
After the death of Charles motherit was
learned that she, Maria Aurora. was adopt
ed when little child by Don Miguel Servo,
a wealthy gentleman of the City of Mexico,
his wife having died when young, leaving
no children. Don Miguel died in 1870,
leaving his entire estate, valued at several
hundred thousand dollars, to his adopted
child, Maria Aurora. His executors, how
ever, so the story goes, failed to notify her,
because of their alleged ignorance of her
whereabouts, and she died without being
made aware of the legacy left to her.
No doubt whatever exists as to the genu-
ineness of the will of Don Miguel, leaving
the property to Charles Quinteros mother.
The Investigations of his attorney have
been perfectly satisfactory in that regard,
though the difference between the Mexican
and United States laws as to the statutes
of limitations may possibly prove STUN
bling block. If the statutes run from the
time of the death of testator instead of
from the time the discovery of Mrs. Quin-
tero's heirship was made, there may be a
serious hitch, necessitating an appeal to
the courts of equity.
Ever since Charles was 5 years of age he
has been a ward of the Odd Fellows, his
specific guardians being w. II, Leitch of
Golden Gate Lodge and Benjamin J.
Smith. For some reason best known to
themselves, so Attorney Kase says, they
have grown lukewarm in their attention to
the boys welfare.