The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-01
The OCtogenarian Steals
March on WatChful
Relatives.
ESCAPES FROM THE CARE
OF HIS SON.
Hastens to His Young SWe etheart
and Minister Makes
Them One.

SANTA BARBARA, CAL, Aug. 81
The Douglass sensation, which has been
exciting the upper circles OF Santa Barbara
society Tor the past two weeks, reached Its
climax to-day when the aged millionaire
stole a march on his watching relatives
and welded Louisa Kretzer, his Alsatian
servant girl.
The good people of this city were cleo
trlied on August 10 by the announcement
Of the fact that marriage license had
been issued authorizing the marriage of
Ben jamin Douglass and Louisa Kretzler
Every one knew who Douglass was, but
few had ever heard Of the name, even, of
the woman who was to be the bride.
But the event which was to follow
closely upon the issuance of the license
was, for the time being, postponed. The
outgoing train from Santa Barbara next
morning carried the parsonage who was
10 have become the wife OF the octogen-
arian millionaire, and, 1t is whispered,
she is supposed to have carried with her a
goodly sum of money hastily gathered
together by the relatives OF the prospect
i've bridegroom, who thus hoped to put a
stop to further proceedings In the am atory
line between the head of the house of
Douglass and the erstwhile serving maid
Then came a sequel to the story In the
shape of guardianship papers filed by the
attorney OF certain mem bers OF the Dou =
lass family asking that the court appoint
guardian over the person and estate of
IAN incom petent person"
Next Benjamin Douglass took trip to
the country with his family and rem NAMED
in seclusion for few days; but the peace
of the family was again broken by the
appearance of the buxon maiden, who
had come to the conclusion that she pre-
ferred the company of her venerable
friend to seclusion, even with the gold of
the other mem bers of the family.
The doors of the family mansion were
closed again her, and the place was at
once put in stage OF siege by the girl,
who developed a determination that sur
prised even those who had been accus-
toned to hei presence in a mental capa-
city.
Not satisfied with the contumely with
which she was treated and being re-
strained from meeting Douglass, she held
consultations with lawyers, and there
were threats of a suit for breach of prom
Use, which, however, was never brought,
as the girl evident thy found means OF com.
municating with the old man.
The children of Mr.. Douglass took every
possible means of averting what they con-
sidered a disgrace upon their family, and
the result was that the pastor of tbs
church, of which Mr.. Douglass had long
been an honored memb Der, refused to
officiate.
This action was followed by the suit for
guardianship, but Mr.. Douglass was so
greatly incensed at this slight upon his
mentality that he threatened his children
with disinheritance if they persisted in
their intention. He at the same time
promised that he would abandon the OBJ
jectionable alliance.
Love laughs at locksmiths and watch
full relatives as well, and at II O'Clock this
morning Mr.. Douglass, while on his regu-
lar visit TO the bank, gave his son the
slip and drove hastily 10 the house where
the girl was staying, asked if she
was ready, returned uptown and engaged
the services of Rev. G. A. Weston berg,
pastor of the Methodist church. hurried
back to the house. and short formula
made 23-year-oId Alsatian girl the wife
of an S4year-old American millionaire, in
the presence of Thomas Eddy, ex-bar-
tender, and his wife, fellow servant In
the family that brought Louisa to Santa
Barbara.
Several hours were spent by the happy
pair in driving about the City until train
time, when they departed for Los Angeles
Mr.. Douglass says that their future ac-
tons will depend ION what this young
lady wants TO do.''
But it is rumored that other mem bers
OF the family will probably have more to
say about these future movements than
the young lady, as they are deeply in
censed over what they say is an implied
slur upon the late Mrs. Douglass.
Benjamin Douglass is a dative of Mary
land. aged "a, and was one of the founders
OF the r. 6. Dun Commercial Agency. He
Is reputed to be worth 81, 500, 600, including
large blocks OF stock in various good pay.
ing trusts. He has always been known as
oevout ana jealous Presbyterian and
often oficiated as lay reader in the local
church.
Louisa kretzler, the bride, is blonde,
from Alsace-Lorraine, of medium height,
snapeiy in person and pretty in fea-
ture. She formerly lived in Paris
and London and came to Santa
BARBARA in the employ of the
FAMILY OF New York physician and later
took service in the family of Mr.. Douglass
as second girl, which position gradually
merged into that of personal attendant
upon and entertainer of her employer.
Mr.. Douglass defends his action on
scriptural grounds and calls to the mind
OF those who oppose him the example set
by King David who was permitted in his
old age to rejoice his heart with youthful
companions.
Captured With Has Loot.
SAN JOSE Car Auo. 31.-The resi-