Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-16

he had traced the property back through dozen
leasehoders to Xavier Jones' the original owner in
1909
Who was Navier Jones? Who and where were the
descendants of Xavier Jones?
On its face the problem was an easy one; but,
it afterward proved, this puzzle of serious
tanglement.
THE work of investigation began the second day
of May; but up to early August there appeared
to be no tangible result
This case is the worst ever, said Jimmy Fox to
Sargent senior, afternoon. Il have arrived
at the jumping off place, and am convinced that
died That is as far the records CO. he was never
born in New York, never lived here, and certainly
did not die here And he never paid any taxes, and
he never cast VOTE and he never took part in the
of 1912. And Xavier Jones never lived IN Phla-
delphia, nor in Boston, in Baltimore, in
any other town of any size in the year 1909 have
searched the records of the Oldest banks; | have
examined the history of all the local trades and
professions; have exhausted the cemetery records
have read the local gossip in the old newspapers
from 1900 to 1920; have read the advertisements
and the lists of advertised letters and the steamship
arrivals and departures. Why, have compiled the
correct genealogy of at least dozen tones families
I have talked with thousand ZONES and written to
hundred more out of town. To-day l am Jones
expert. l know more about the tribe of Jones than
any living man..
Il thought the name of Xavier would assist you"
said the lawyer.
Yes; but there Xavier = replied Fox,
with show of temper. 1 have found Nahune
and Bola and Ruzen, and even man named
Mttyhank Jones; but Xavier. The is
canny! There isn't another puzzle of this kind any
where earth And what bothers me is how
named Jones got handle like Xavier to his
1t is more than can tell.
TT so happened that the next morning Jimmy Fox
dropped in at the Hall of Records and engaged
Jeremiah Conlin in conversation. He told the old
man the full measure OF his troubles Then they
argued and discussed and compared views and made
suggestions and finally they went the records
of the Snow property together, tracing the owner
ship of the lease the ninety-nine years.
At last after several hours of research, they
to the records of 1909, where first appeared the
of Xavier Jones' copied from the original of the
lease The book very small and was tied with
string to keep it from falling apart. The leaves
yellow with age. The writing mere outline the
ink having faded from black to brown. Surely
enough, the there in all its original mys-
terry Xavier Jones' the letters written in a small,
rounded hand, but very dim, almost obscured.
Fox carried the book to the window that the sun
might cast perfect light on the yellow pages.
Suddenly he gave gasp Of establishment, and.
hastily reaching in his coat, brought forth small
pocket microscope. His hand trembled as he held
the glass the uncanny name.
See, Conlin! he cried. Look at that! See the
letter N in Jones 1t is more like rT than N. Good
heavens, man! it isn't Jones at all! The name is
orres In copying the lease from year to year from
assignment to assignment, they have used the name
of Zones by mistake And sure )" he cried exultantly
Torres is Spanish name! Xavier Torres! Once
upon time it probably spelled Jorrez. Oh
I'll find the heirs! Trust me! The jig is not up by
long shot!'
TT was not an easy task. The of Torres did not
appear in the New York directory nor had it APP
peared since 1914 but the search persistent and
exhaustive. At the end of two weeks named
Jose Torres found in Camden, wrapping cigars in
a local tobacco shop. He was forty-two years old
slender, gentee chap very poor and struggling for
mere existence.
Once the Spanish name of Xavier Torres had been
established inquiry made in New York among
members of the Castilan race, and in a big cigar
factory on Third-ave. a workman named Lopez had
mentioned that his cousin, Jose Jorres was living in
he story Of Lose verified by letters