The San Francisco call., 1896-05-08

Samuel McBrown, who has been lost to
his friends and family for twelve years, has
returned from Panama, and his coming
back was much of surprise as his going
away.
A number Of years ago Mr.. McBrown
heard of very rich mining region in the
United States of Colombia, South America.
Without giving any warning he vent off
to the mines, and nothing more was heard
of him till three months ago.
Letters on both sides failed to reach their
destination, and years went by with anx-
iety and unsatisfactory tidings, until the
family believed Mr.. McBrown had been the
victim of some of the dreadful fevers tnat
are so fatal to foreigners in that part of the
country. A little tinge of romance enters
into the story that causes the once happy
family to be reunited.
Mr.. McBrown's only son established him.
self in the publishing business in San
Francisco, and during the Midwinter Fair
published the official organ of the fair.
1t required number of men as solicitors
for advertisements, and among them was
a very intelligent man who had travelled
the world over and was contemplating a
trip to South America when the fair
closed.
He'was told of Mr.. McBrown's family's
anxiety to know if he was in the land of
the living, and he promised to investigate
the matter thoroughly.
Though they had but little hope the
family was surprised to receive three
months later letter from Mr. McBrown,
who had been put into communication
through the American Consul at Panama
with his wife and children.
At the time of writing he was supposed
to be on his dying-bed, dangerously i'll
with enlargement of the liver, and, though
thousands of dollars Had been spent for
medical treatment, no relief came. He
wrote that the doctors could not promise
any hope of recovery, and when he sug-
gested the trip home predicted, even were
he to recover sufficiently to leave his bed,
the tax of the journey homeward would
kill him and he would be buried in the
Pacific Ocean. Notwithstanding this ad-
vice, the thought of once more being home
with his family gave him strength that
carried him to Panama, and from the
very moment he left there he began to
feel better and to gain strength, which
permitted him to reach home, where the
best physicians that can be procured will
IaKe the case, WIFI nope Oh 1nIs NC
Browns ultimate recovery.
Mr.. McBrown is closely identified with
the early history of California, coming
here in the days of '49 and settling in
Nevada County, where he once owned gold
mines and considerable other property.
He was also one of the pioneer lawyers of
this State and practiced at Reese River,
in the State of Nevada. where he was as
sociated in business relations with John
CARRIER OF Berkeley.
OF the few remaining pioneer friends
who are in this city the oldest is Jesse
Wall, ex-Superintendent of Streets, who
was very intimate acquaintance of Mr..
McBrown.
For some years his wife and children,
who are all well-known residents of this
city and San Francisco, thought him to be
dead.
The wife who waited so long for news of
her absent husband is a well-known Oak
land girl.
Mr.. McBrown while yet a young and
rising lawyer married Miss Louise Hart
man, second daughter of Dr. Hartman, a
prominent physician later of Oakland and
San Francisco, who at the time of their
marriage was the pioneer fruit-raiser of
Nevada County.
While in Colombia Mr.. McBrown's ven-
lures have been very successful, and he is
row the owner of much valuable propertv
in that country. A mail very rarely
reaches the place, and to this the family
attribute their failure to hear from their
father during his long absence.
Mr.. McBrown is "a relative of exlGov-
ernor Eli II. Murray of San Diego and
John McBrown, Sacramento Supervisor.
Annual Meeting.
OAKLAND, CAL, May THE Alameda
County Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals at its annual meet.
ing last evening selected the following
board of directors: Mrs. S. G. Sanford
Mrs. E. E; Greenman, Mrs. E. A. Sherman,
Rev. G. W.. Wendte, G. T. Johns, o. M
Sanford and DR.. Carpenter.
The directors met immediately and
elected officers as follows: President, Rev.
G. w. Wendte; vice president and attor-
ney, c. I. Johns; secretary, Mrs. s. c.
Sanford; treasurer, Mrs. Z. E. Greenman:
veterinary surgeon, DR.. Carpenter.
County Exhibit.
OAKLAND, CAL, May THE directors
of the Board of Trade at their meeting
last evening decided to urge the Board Of
Supervisors to grant the use of the lower
room in the annex OF the Hall of Records
for that organization to make an exhibit
of the products and manufactures of Ala
media County.
A letter from the Board of Trade of
Dallas, Tex, asking for their support of
the passage of National bankruptcy bill
was referred to a special committee, who
are to correspond with members of Con-
gress.
New Electric Line.
OAKLAND, CAL, May THE Laundry
Farm railroad will be transformed into an |
electric line before the month is out if ali |
goes well. The poles are all set and the |
work OF running of wires will commence
Monday. The line will be run in connec-
ton with the local electric road 10 Ala |
media.
Second Exposition.
OAKLAND. CAL, May THE Oak
land Exposition Association (incorpor-
ated) will meet next week to be- |
pin Manning for the uaxt axno