The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-17
SHE LOST BOTH
HUSBAND AND HOME
Serious. Charges Are Filed
Against Michele
Tano.
Accused of Fraud in Obtaining
Possession of Real
Estate.
Allegation That Plaintiff and Hsr
Husband Executed Deed Think.
ing 1t a HON .stead.

Mrs. Maria Parente, Administrative of
the estate of Augustine PareEte, deceased,
has sued Michele Tano for the recovery of
a house and lot on Vincent street, near
the corner of Green, in this City.
The allegations in The complaint filed in
this case and the statements of the per-
sons interested would furnish material for
chapter in an up-to-date mystery novel.
After the death of Parente there was
much talk caused in the circle OF acquaint-
ances in which he and his wife moved in
regard 10 his taking off. That he died
from the effects OF drinking sulphuric ACID
was estab lished by the autopsy, but
whether it was case of suicide or murder
has not yet been definitely settled in the
minds of some of his friends. His widow
persists that her late husband was MUIR
dered, ard lays the dreadful accusation at
the door OF one of his former associates.
At the inquest there were several
dramatic scenes, but it did not appear
that there was any just cause to suspect
any one with causing Parente's death, the
general opinion being that be com united
suicide.
Now comes another phase of this strange
case with the filing of Mrs. Parente's suit
against Tano. She accuses Tano of Sc
curing the deed to the Vincent-street
property by fraud and deceit. She AYERS
that on the 23d of last October Tano, pre-
tending to be friend of the family, pre-
sented TO her and to her husband docu-
mect which he said was a declaration of
homestead. When Mrs Parente men,
toned that she had previously flied and
recorded a declaration OF homestead OH
i
detective and of no value or force.
Neither Parente nor his wife could read
English, and on Tano's assurance that
the paper which he handed them was g.
declaration of homestead they signed it
by atfixing their mark. As they could
not write each made cross, and the mark
was attested by witnesses In the usual way
allowed by law.
Mrs. farente declares that no considera-
ton whatever passed from Tano to her
self or her husband in consequence of the
signing OF the deed, though the considera.
ton named in the instrument is $40.
In addition to the foregoing statement,
Mrs Parente sets forth that the pretended
deed, which she and her husband believed
TO be q declaration of homestead, was not
recovered until the I'd of December, long
after the death of Parente, her husband.
and that no demand was made by Tauo
for possession of the properly. nor for the
rents, issues or profits thereof.
For relief Mrs. Parente asks that Tano
be required to produce the pretended deed
in court, that it be declared void and that
it be Cancelled.
J. a. Spinetti, attorney for Mrs. Parente,
represents his client to be in pitiable
condition. She is so greatly depressed on
account of the death OF her husband that
she is scarcely able to care for herself and
her five children, who would be left penni-
less if Tano's deed to their little home
should be found to be legal. There was
consid cradle trouble between Mr.. and
Mrs. Parente just prior 10 his death, and
the belief of some of his friends is that
marital infelicity led 10 his seli-d estruc-
ton. Tano is blamed by some for alleged
interference in the affairs of the Parente
family. The case has attracted consider
able attention in the Latin quarter, where
all the participants of this modern drama
tragedy are well known.