The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-09
PLOT TO DESERT A WIFE,
A Catalina Island Sailor Wants
Her to Believe He Is
Drowned.
ANXIOUS TO GO EXPLORING,
An Unnatural Husbands Letter to
the Promoter of the Santana
Expedition.
ANXIOUS TO GO EXPLORING.

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL
9Oo Broadway, Jan. 8.
The promoters of the scheme that has
for its object the exploration and possible
conquest of large portion of Lower Cali
fornia have received a very remarkable let
ter from Avalon, Catalina Island. They
are asked to become parties TO plot that
would sever the family relationship OF a
husband and parent in such manner as
to cause his nearest kin to think his body
was at the bottom of the deep blue sea.
The strange letter refers to an article
that appeared in THE CALL several weeks
ago describing the projected voyage of the
Santana. 1t then proceeds to tell a story
more suggestive of an irresponsible ro-
mancer than of the head of family.
The writer, whose name is suppressed
by Alfred Baroteau, who received the let
ter, because he regards it as a confidential
communication, starts out by saying that
he possesses accurate knowledge of some
valuab bic mines, and is anxious to Join any
expedition that will help TO explore them.
He asks the terms on which he can
come IN on the deal and then proceeds to
tell OF his worldly goods and what he
would be willing TO DO to help the eXpedi-
ton. He possesses powerful little gaso-
line launch that he says IS capable OF tow
ing a small schooner three miles an hour
IN smooth water, and he suggests that 1t
would be valuable acquisition to the
owners of the Santana in exploring creeks
and rivers and IN helping the old bark
along in calm.
Then comes little bit of family history.
The writer says he has not the same
opinion OF married life that he had when
the experience was new, many years ago.
II "a roIr
strained and unCongenial that he is
anxious to separate them entirely. He
does not wish to do so in manner that
would cause unnecessary anguish TO those
he would leave behind, 50 he has con-
ceived plan by which he hopes to create
the impression that he is dead.
If the members of the expedition will
stand III the writer asks to know when the
Santana will be off a certain point on the
coast. He wants them to heave-to and
wait till he visits them. He will go off in
his gasoline launch and the little vessel
can then be hoisted on deck and away the
whole outfit will sail to the southeast OF
course, the unhappy writer need not take
SO much trouble to leave Avalon, as a mail
is sent from the place daily, bur by leaving
in the gasoline launch and not returning
the writer sees a way of avoiding much
unnecessary searching and anxiety. He
says that 1t Is a custom OF his to make
frequent trips from Catalina TO Clemente
Island and that if be should not return it
will be at once concluded that his gasoline
launch has exploded and that the launch
and owner have gone to the bottom.
In order to prepare the way for the
credible reception OF such a story, the
owner has told many stories by his tireside
OF the numerous little accidents he has
not experienced and has made frequent
reference to the final one that may come
Unexpectedly and render his wife widow.
1--WE been in many schemes in my life
time, said Baroteau tonight, 'but that's
Just little too cold -blooded to suit me. I
can sym pathize with man that is tired
OF married life, as l have lively divorce
suit on my hands at this time. but think
she ought to know whether she is married,
divorced or deserted. II don't strike me
as quite fair to leave her in the dark.
don't think we'd take that gasoline launch
with us. If it is as dangerous as repre-
sented, it might explode on board, and
don't appreciate that kind of a judgment.