The evening times., 1896-06-09


bic manuscripts and pencil sketches, the work
of the late Capt. Go.dsborough Brurf, which
has caused bitter family feud among the
heirs of the deceased explorer, and which
has developed an interesting legal phase,
was decided last week and the papers re-
turned to Mrs. Bruff the administrator.
Capt. Bruff, as will be remembered by
the older residents of Washington, was one
of the original forty Miners" and during
the two succeeding years conducted
party of explorers across the plains and
through the mountains to California. This
was at the time of the great gold fever
ON the Pacific slope.
Although Capt. Bruff was an intimate
friend of Fremont, he followed an entirely
different trail, which he had himself out
lined. 1t was, of course, before the days Of
the great ttranscontiDental railways, and the
unknown regions beyond the Mississippi
were overrun with Indians and wild beasts.
During these explorations Capt. Bruff
Kept complete journal of the daily happen
ings and incidents. and wrote a vivid de-
scription of the country and the experiences
OF his company and himself upon the plains
and the journey through the mountains. He
and made several hundred sketches during
his travels, as well as landscape drawings.
WRITTEN MANY YEARS AGO.
At that time Capt Bruff was in the EN-
ploy of the United States Treasury Depart
ment, where he remained for fifty-five
years. His death occurred about seven
years ago, and though nearly eighty-six
years OF age he was the most skillful
draughtsman in the office of the super
vising architect.
The manuscript in quest ton was written
more than forty years ago, and it was
always the intention of the author to have
his work published in book form and Illus
irated with the dra wings he had made.
he never realized his life's ambition.
He diedintestate and without making any
provision for the disposition of his work
!eaving wife and two daughters, Mrs.
Zuleina b. Jackson, of No. 31S South
Capitol street, and Mrs. Nichols, who,
inheriting her fathers artistic instincts,
maintains beautiful studio at Tenth
street and Penns ylvania avenue. Other
1elrs are several minor children of de-
ceased brothers.
Not long after her husbands death. by
mutual consent, Mrs. Bruff, the widow.
was given letters of administration for the
disposition of the estate. Upon assuming
her duties as administratrix. Mrs Bruff
learned that the much priced manuscript
ana sketches could not be found. although
they We're known to have been in the posses
sion OF her older daughter, Mrs. Jackson.
REFUSED TO SURRENDER THEM.
During these seven years the mother at
frequent intervals has endca vored TO induce
her daughter to surrender the property that
it might be sold or published and the pro-
ceeds divided among the heirs. This Mrs.
jackson has positively declined TO do, and
u mas peen alleged that she intended to
Keep them in hiding until her mother should
die. IL Is also said that she has been en-
courased TO do this by her son-in-Iaw. n
young Italian named Zappone, who is en-
ployed in the Navy Department. Mr.. Zan-
pone has made repeated efforts TO sell the
works to various publishers, but has met
with no success.
ne climax came when, about two weeks
ago Mrs. Nichols advocating the claims of
her mother. sued ont writ of repIeyin in
Justice Scott's court for the recovery of
the manuscript ard sketches Mrs. Brurf is
an invalid suffering from partial PARALYSIS.
ana has been confined to Providence Hos
pitai lor the past two years Mrs. Nichols
procured counsel and acted as agent in her
mothers behalf in the case against her sis
Ter, Mrs. Jackson. But the papers could not
be efound and no one knew save Mrs. jackson
and her immediate family.
linen II was that r.h.
Thomas. playing the part of detective.
uuea'lhea the seven years mystery. Rep
feseutihG Ghlmse!fas the "a gent OF Baltimore
pu'lsnihg house lie called at the home of
Nis' JACKSON On South Capitol street and
asked 10 see the works Of Capt Bruff. with
view OF purchasing them. Mrs. jackson
was easy game for the amateur detec,iyo
ahd ieli INTO his trap. Though the writin,s
were notln her house she revealed tbeir rbid
!ng place. stating that thew were in ,b,
custody OF man named Proctor on Ca,,;t,,
NH she' however, promised he shouId 500
them next day.
MRS. BRUFF'S VICTORY.
Upon second thought. Mrs. Jackson ore r.,
suspicious, and after Thomas had loft tho
mouse he received note from ber deolin
ny lhis setback, Mr. Thomas secnred ,
search warrant, aud in company with Con.
stable swineburne, made a thorough search
OF MI Proctor's residence, No. 7I3D street
southeast, but failed to find the missino.
documents. They had been spirited away
Mrs. Jackson's house was searched also
Dut with the same result
writ OF replevin was served on Mrs
'acksoh' compelling her to produce the
"iiunss. AFTER change of venue had
twice been had from Justice scottto Justice
oNeai and thence to Justice Bundy. tbecas.
was set for hearing on Tuesday last In
the meantime Mrs. Jackson asked for the
appointment of receiver for the works
but this was refused, inasnucb as an adj
ministratrix had already been appointed
On the day before the hearing was In
nave come off Mrs. Jackson apparently ha-
came frightened and brought the mucb.
NNft