The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-04
LONG TRIP FOR KIDS.
Oldest of the Children Was Only lie, but
the -Four Journeyed Alone.

the -Four Journeyed Alone.
From the New York Herald.
Four children arrived on the Crom-
well Line steamship Louisiana late on
Monday night. after a journey of more
than 1000 miles without a cicerone.
They are Charles A. Ahrens, II years
old; Dora, aged 3 years; George,
years old. and Harry, aged 5. grand
children of Charles a. Ahrens of No.
6S Eighth avenue. They had Travelled
by rail to New Orleans and thence by
steamer TO New York.
The little travellers are orphans.
Their parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles A.
Ahrens. left this city 13 years ago last
New Years to seek their fortunes in
San Francisco. About a year ago the
Ahrens bought a farm near Loomis.
Cal, paying So in cash and placing a
$1,000 mortgage on 1t. Little success
attended them. Mrs. Ahrens died in
November last and four weeks later
the father died of hemorrhage of the
lungs. The children were left destitute.
y Mrs. Biddell took charge of Char
lie" Mrs. Johnson provided for Dora
and George and Henry were taken in
by Mrs. Tudsberry. all neighbors.
Berry Mitchell. public administrator
and coroner at Auburn, near LOOMS,
communicated with the grandfather Of
the children, Mr. Aherns of No. GS
Eighth avenue. The latter is a Mason
and he had a friend, George w. Gee of
No. 10 Eighth avenue. write to John
III. Gray, another Mason, of No. 322
Montgomery street, San Francisco.
asking him to have the children sent
to New York. Mr. Ahrens became tired
of waiting for an answer. and on
Christmas went TO the Southern Pa
cific railroad and paid S120 for half
tickets from San Francisco. These
tickets were sent to LOOMS TO William
Ammons. with instructions to start the
youngsters eastward. Three days later
came letter from Mr.. Gray, saying
that the Masonic board Of relief could
not take the responsibility of sending
the children on.
When Mr.. Ammons received the tick
cts he sold what personal effects there
was belonging to the Ahrenses, realiZ-
ing about $780, After all the debts
had been paid, less than SO remained.
The children were taken to Auburn.
Masons there gave Charlie 81 and a
great basket of food. Charlie was the
little guardian of the party, although
his sister Dora, a pretty, flaxen- haired
girl. is the tallest.
The Journey to New Orleans was
made in a tourist car. Conductor and
porters were unusually kind to the
children. The Auburn Masons had tel
egraphed ahead. so that every time the
train stopped for meals, members of
the fraternity took charge of them.
When they arrived here on Monday
night, Charlie still carried his basket,
none of them having had occasion 70
draw on its supplies.
At New Orleans an agent of the
Southern Pacific railroad met and es-
corted them to the Louisiana. Captain
eager greeted them warmly and COM
mended them to the care Of Mr.. and
! Mrs. Charles II. Poulton. the stewards
! For the first three days of the voyage
I the children were Seasick. Charlie
couldn't explain it yesterday. He just
felt funny" But they recovered. and
romped all over the steamer Dora said
/ she didn't know there was so much
| water before.