The evening times., 1896-10-08
BY HIS PARENTS
Heir to Millions Left With
Strangers in California.
MOTHER OBTAINED DIVORCE
Then Married Her New York Law
yer-Father Wealthy Lumber
man of Michigan-Their Six-Year-
Old Boy Not Wanted by Either.
Grandmother VIII Care for Him.

San Diego, Cal, Oct. An interesting
romance has been going on for several
months at the pretty seaside resort of La
Jolla and in this city, but the facts have
just come to light. The story involves IA
divorce, the marriage Of the divorced wife
to her attorney nd the desertion of little
boy, who is the heir To over a million dol
lars.
The first public rcsord Of the case was
made on July 3 last, when Kate A. Brad
ley obtained Il divorce from F. W. Bradley
on the ground of cruelty. Bradley nI.de no
defense. The truth OF the matter was that
lie was no. cruel, but he and his wife Were
COUSINS, and the cunsanguinity resulted
disastrously To their children. One OF them
died, nd the other, Harold aged six years,
is not over bright
Bradley is ONE OF the firm OF n. B. Brad
ley Sons, lnn.bermen, of Bay City, Mich,
very wealthy firm Hishome at Bay City
is palatiaI Last December Mrs. Bradley
came to San Diego and soon afterward
rented a cottage at La Jolla, where she
passed the winter. She was bright and
ia ascinating-
HER HUSBAND WAS CRUEL.
She brought her little boy, Harold, with
her, and wassoon nu uIbered amongt the lead
ers OF society in the little resort. BY and
by 1t leaked out that she was out West for
the purpose OF obtaining divorce from her
husba nd, who was spictured as 4 cruel, heart
less man and a triflcr with other women's
affections
About February 1 a wcll-dressed, bril-
liaGt and apparently wealthy man ap-
peared on the scene. He was Samuel A.
Benton. n criminal lawyer OF New York
city. He became very attentive to Mrs
Bradley, and accompanied her on excur-
sions through the country. Mrs. Brad
ley's mothc came fromth East and stayed
with her daughter. and Mr.. Penton also
moved into the little seaside cottage,
There was much gossip at this, but Mrs
Bradley stopped il by explaining that he
was her attorney in the divorce proceed
ings, and. besides, he was an Invalid out
here for his health. Benton finally disap-
peared. leaving his trunk behind. Then
Mrs Bradley. the elder. went, leaTin. her
daughter with her boy. --.
MARRIAGE AFTER DIVORCE.
Then, on July IL, Mrs. Bradley ex-
planned TO her landiady that she was
going TO marry the charming Benton as
soon as her divorce was obtained from
the cruel husband in the East. She wanted
the laDdiady, Mrs. MayeS, to take care
OF the child. Harold, while she was on her
honeymoon as Mrs. Benton. So this was
done.
The divorce was obtained ON July B. sd
Benton hobbed up and met Mrs. Bradley,
and gain disappeared with her. Haroldwas
LETT at LaJolia in charge OF Mrs Mayes
Mrs. Bra dley told friends here that she was
10 be married in Los Angeles 1t was pre-
sumed that this program was ca rried out.
After a month or so had passed, Mrs.
Mayes, the landlady. became worried She
received check from New YORK city, sgne i
by Mrs. Bradley BENTON. for the child's
board, but saying nothing about sending
him back Then came long silence, and
She decided To wire the boys grandmother
a. Bay City. An answer came back in
structing her Ia wait for written orders.
DIDN'T WANT THE BOY.
Then a letter came from Mrs. Benton say
ing that in her new relations il wo,ad be
incunvenient to be burdened with the boy,
and adding that she had decided To turn
hin over to the father, but a postscript
was added. and an important one. 10 the
effect that the father was living a gay
life as = bachelor in the East, and did not
care to take charge Of the boy.
So the little boy, who is heir to his faith
er's wealth, estimated at over a million,
and part Of his grandfather's, estimated at
as much more, was left alone here in Cal
ifornia. AIRS. Mayes took good care OF him,
but was decidedly opposed to having the
burden forced upon her. After repeated
solicitations, Bradiey's attorneys here fl
nalIy made an arrangement whereby the
little fellow is TO be transported to the
East To his grandmother at Bay City. Judge
Futerbargh modified the divorce decree
yesterday, giving the boy into the custody
OF his father. instead OF Ills mother.