The San Francisco call., 1896-05-05
Her Husband Was a Member
of a Wealthy English
Family.
SEARCH FOR HIS WIDOW ENDS.
She Was Found in Oakland Struggling
Hard for Daily and Meager
Pittance.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANc1sco CALL, |

90S Broadway, May 4.
1t seems very likely that a hard-working
woman of this city is lady of title and
has never known it.
A poor widow who has for years earned
scantY living by hard work was aston
ished a few days ago to receive letter
from the British Consul in San Francisco
asking her to appear before him and show
proof of the death of her husband.
Mrs. Stevens crossed the bay and was
surprised to learn that she is the probable
heir to an enormous fortune which had
been left to her husband by his rich rela-
tives.
Her story dates back many years, when
Henry Stevens, then just from England,
married an Oakland girl. 1t was known
that Stevens was well connected in the
old country, and it was generally supposed
that he had fled from his home, as he sell
dom spoke of his people and never COM
muDicated with them.
Stevens and his young wife found it hard
to make both ends meet and finally both
were reduced to poverty. Five wears ago
the couple lived in the Clarendon House
at Seventh and Washington streets and
there the Engishman contracted diph-
liberia which resulted in death.
His funeral is well remembered as it
terminated with the arrest of the under
taker, who buried the body without a per
Init. He was afterward released, as he
proved 1t was necessary to break the law
owing to the intervention of a Sunday.
From that time the widow was obliged to
depend upon her own resources and most
OF her time since she has been living in
the AIdine House on Washington and
Eighth streets.
: After her visit to the British Consul Mrs.
Stevens placed her affairs in the hands of
an attorney, who is now acting with the
Consul. Letters have been sent to England
and within five weeks the dow expects
TO hear the news that the fortune a waits
her disposal.
The exact amount Mrs. Stevens does not
know, but she believes, from what few re-
"markS her husband made to her while he
was alive concerning his rich relatives,
that the amount will approach seven
figures. She does not know much about
his family connections, but from her talks
with the Consul 1t is her belief that title
goes with the fortune. She thinks that
her husband was probably a member of a
coroneted family who ran away from
home and would not return.
Attorney McFadden said TO-DAY that he
will not be prepared to clear up the mys-
terry for five weeks, by which time he will
have heard from England.
School Director Edward Resigns.
OAKLAND, CAL, May 4. - Colonel
George c. Edward, member at large of the
Board OF Education, surprised his col
leagues this evening by sending them his
resignation. No reason was given, but it
is understood to be the additional work
which devolves upon him by the death of
his father-in-law, A. K. P. Harmon. Di-
rectors Knox, Moody and Stark were
named as a committee to draft suitable
resolutions at his loss after the resignation
was accepted The board will select his
successor at their meeting next Monday.
On the report of the secretary that there
was deficit OF $500 in the High School
fund it was decided to close the sch ool two
weeks earlier than usual so as TO close the
year out of debt.
Adams Divorce Case.
OAKLAND, CAL, May Am Judge
Frlck's court this morning the case of
Fred Adams (by his guardian, James
Adams) to annul his marriage with Nita
prayer for divorce filed by the counsel for
the defense was allowed to stand. plea
for counsel fees and alimcny for the de-
fendant was made and the Judge granted
that some money should be paid, but how
much he had not as yet decided.
Contra COsta's Water Main.
OAKLAND, CAL, May 4.-The change
OF the Waterman of the Contra Costa
Water Company from the Eighth-street
cessfully made last night by large corps
OF workmen. A connection broke. causing
some delay, so the water was shut off during
part of the morning. The large pipe will
now be removed from the bridge.
Flemming VS.. Lydecker Case,
OAKLAND, CAL, May "A motion to
dissolve the injunction was denied in the
suit OF Flemmlng against Lydecker to re-
strain the Trustees of Alameda from en-
larging the city's plant in order to Supply
private consumers by Judge Frick this
morning and the bond OF the plaintiff was
increased from $500 to $4,000.
Lettus Still Missing.
OAKLAND. CAL, May 4.-No news con-
cerning the whereabouts OF Jack Lettus.
formerly manager OF the Labor Bureau on
Washington street, has been received as
yet. Three weeks ago he disappeared and
his friends fear he has committed suicide
from dependency.