The San Francisco call., 1896-04-01
WERE NEVER MARRIED.
attorney Bachelor Says "Granny" Cam
not Claim the Estate.

attorney BGchetGef Says "Trnnny' Cdn-
not Claim the Estate.
T. F. Bachelor, a brother of the late
Joseph E. Bachelder, whose estate Is a
bone of contention between two women
who claim to be his widows, says the
woman with whom Joseph Bachelor
lived for over thirty years was not his
wife. He was seen at his home, 1913 Rail
road avenue, Alameda, last night, and
gave this account of the relationship:
My brother, Joseph Eaton Bachelor
was born in Wisconsin. In 1851 he was
married to Miss Susan A. Steel, and to the
couple two children were born-a boy and
girl. The boy is dead, but the girl grew
into womannood and married Mr..
Wheeler OF Chicago. One of their chill
dren is now married to promising Chica-
goan. In 1864 party started from the
1t included my family and myself, my
brother and other relatives. Joseph S
wife did not come with him.
1--WE arrived in San Francisco in 1865
after six months trip and dispersed.
settled down to practice law in the
metropolis, and have remained here ever
since. My brother first went down into
the Santa Clara Valley, and after staying
there for about three years went:to Guer-
neville, IN Sonoma County. There he in
vested his money in lumb Der and accumu-
lated d snug sum-about $4,000. After a
few years he bought some lots in Guerne-
vile and settled down TO live with a
woman whom he had met in San Fran
cisco some time previous. The woman
was OF French nationality, and her name
was Mary Louise Larseneur. Joseph was
never married to her, although they lived
together for thirty years. None of the in
habitants of Guerneville was aware OF their
clandestine relations and they were held in
high esteem by all.
''It was not until 1887 that Joseph's law
ful wife came to California. She knew OF
his relations with the French woman all
OF the thirty years that he had been absent
from her and had tried often 10 have him
leave her. Joseph was, however, afraid OF
the woman and dared not show any indi-
cations OF waning faith.
Nv hen Mrs. Bachelor arrived here the
first time she stayed about year. She
visited Guerneville at that time, meeting
her husband but once-at a hotel there.
She was accompanied by her granddaugh-
ter, Mrs. Luella Grossette, and both tried
TO Induce the falthless man to go with
them, but he said that he was in fear of
his lie aud dared not. Wife and grand
daughter went away disappointed and re-
turned to Chicago. They and myself were
the only persons in California who knew of
the scandalouS condition of affairs
Nothing of Importance happened from
that time until the time of my brother s
death on the first day of this month. He
died leaving no will and an estate valued
at about $4,000 or $4,000. 1, as attorney for
his lawful vile, applied for letters of pro-
bate, and in that capacity found myself at
Santa Rosa last Saturday. While in the
court there learned that there were two
widows claiming the estate-the one rep
resented, and the other the woman with
whom Joseph had been living. The latter
signed her name Mrs. Bachelor l was
quite surprised, but finally managed to
produce evidence which made a clear case
for my client, and the estate will be con-
trolled by the real and only Mrs. Bach
elder. My brother did not fail to provide
Tor the putetiye widow, for before he died
he decided her two or three houses in
Guerneyille. She is now about 20 years of
age and ne was III