The San Francisco call., 1897-07-25
CAPT. BROWNS
INDIAN CHILD
Little Mary Is the Subject
Of Litigation and Hard
Feelings.
She Disappears Suddenly While
in the Custody of
Sister Julia.
The Case Recalls the Wreck of the
Schooner Named After
the Girl.

whose guardianship several persons are
making contest, promises to develop
numbe of interesting features before the
matter is settled. In fact one or two in
teresting points havs already made their
appearance. The child, who is II years of
age, is the daughter of the late CAPITA in
William Henry Brown, who was lost on
the Alaska coast about four years ago.
The cap ain lett an estate of something
between $4,000 and $4,000, and were it
not for tie fact that the child will come
in for large share of this fortune it is
not likely that she would be an object of
much concern to any one.
The mother of the little girl is an In
dian Of the Aleutian tribe. About five
years ago Captain Brown brought his
wife and daughter to this City, and left
her here for a while. A little later he re-
turned anc placed the child in the care of
Mrs. Helen Kuhl, an aged widow living
at 1912 Haight street. The mother, to
whom he was properly married, was taken
back to Alaska, where she now lives. He
then went on that disastrous trip which
resu ted in the loss of mis- schooner Mary
Brown and the loss of twelve brave sailors
and one pass niger on Banks Island.
Donald Ross is the executor of the es-
tate, which consists of money Ill bank,
real estate in this City and large lot of
valuable furs and skins that were sent on
to London. During the past five years
the child has lived with Mrs. KuhI, who.
from all accounts, provided for her as
though she were her own child. The
woman is we'll to do in the ways of the
world, and those who had the opportunity
of knowing say that every attention was
lavished upon the little half breed.
According to the story Mr.. Ross did not
pay any attention to the girl until few
weeks ago, when he and Colonel Barry be-
gan TO call to see her. The latter took her
out on several occasions, and from the
chid's actions Mrs. Kuhl began to fear
that her affections were going out to the
new friends. AS the father had left Mary
in her Keeping the old lady thought that
1t were best that she should secure some
legal hold over her charge, So she applied
for letters of guardianship over the child.
This she did but before any action
could be taken she was surprised that she
should be charged with having treated
the child with cruelty, and more so that
the little girl herself should be one of the
accusers, for letter was received by Judge
Coffey from the girl accusing the old lady.
+. A. Holbrook of the Eureka Society
for the Protection of Children made q
careful investigation OF the charges and
he states that they are without founda-
tion. From all that he could learn the
little one was given the very best of care
and no pains were, spared to give her
good education.
Mary showed q remarkable an titude for
music and was skilled performer on the
piano. However, pending more COM
plete investigation by the court, it was
decided TO the satisfaction of all to place
the girl under the care of Sister Julia of
the Sheltering Arms. That was two weeks
ago. and as the girl had only one change of
to Mrs Kuhts for a change.
To this Sister Julia would not agree,
even though promised that police officer
would accompany her there and back
again. Those who have had charge OF
Mary for 80 long expressed fear that an
attem pt would be made to send Mary back
to her mother in Alaska so yester-
day Mr.. Holbrook made visit to the
Sheltering Arms, but Mary was not there.
Neither was Sister Julia, ahd the he ad
nurse said that she did not know where
they had gone. Last evening the nurse
stated that Sister Julia had gone away on
vacation for a rest and had taken Mary
and Two o her little girls with her. Much
anxiety is felt for the little heiress and a
careful search will be made to find where
she is and get her into the custody OF the
court.
AS to the Indian mother in far off
ALASKA, stories have come to this City
that she has Jared anything but we'll
since the death of her sailor husband.
Previous to his last fatal voyage he had
made arrangements that she should be
am ply provided for, but the last informa-
tion was that she was in most destitute
circum stances, though under the law she
is entitled to her share of the estate.
at any rate, the case will come UP for
hearing in the Probate Court, and it is
expected that interesting features will be
developed. There are other children Of
Captain Brown by the same Indian wife,
bur, so far, they do not seem to cut any
figure in the case.