The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-02-08
FORTUNE IN GARRE1
Poor Woman Discovers $4,000
In Old Trunk.
Bonds and Securities Had Been Lying.
There for Thlrty-tWo Years-
Steps. Taken 10 Distribute
Money to the Heirs.

Money to the hsIrs.
San Francisco.-Hiddsn in the bot
tom Of an old trunk which for 81
years has been knocked about In San
Francisco and Marin counties, a for
tune estimated at $4,000 in Mexican
government bonds and securities has
been recovered In the home of Mrs.
Therese Louise Janson at Mill Valley.
In the probate department Of the su-
perior court MEae-Ianson pettioned to
reopen the estate Of her husband.
Charlss<J. Janson. to whom the great
wealth belonged. In order that the
nrst steps may be taken to collect the
money and distribute 1t according to
law, between the aged widow and her
five daughters.
In response to this petition Judge
]. v. Cofey has appointed David
Craelius of Mill Valley, son-in-law Of
the widow, administrator Of the es-
tate. and has authorised him to begin
collection.
Besides the widow. who 10 now sev-
enty-one years old. and who lives in a
modest cottage in Mill Valley. her
daughters. Mrs. L. Lindsey, f324 Clip
per street, San Francisco; Mrs. D..
Craelius, Mill Valley; Mrs. Ebba Hill
bon. Bolinas, and Misses Elizabeth
and Elm Janson of Mill Valley, are
heirs to the unexpected and.
Charles J. Janson died in this city
February 2, 1879. leaving what his
widow and daughters thought a small
estate. all of which he disposed of by
will. Mrs. Janson was named sexecu-
.tr1x and within the proper time dis
itr1buted what she supposed was the
entire estate of her husband.
4, At that time she discovered among
her dead husbands papers the Mexi.
can stocks and bonds, but was told
that they were worthless. Believing
this to be true. she cast them aside
and gave no thought to the documents,
merely keeping them as mementoes.
For many years after J~anson's death
his family lived in this city and the
securities rested In a trunk. When
Mrs. Janson moved to Mil Valley. .
decade ago, In order to he close to
one Of her married daughters. she took
the trunk with her and 1t has occupied
a place in the garnet of her home eve
since.
Recently she CHANGED to mention
the old papers while talking with a
friend. Curiosity caused the friend
to ask the privilege of examining the
bonds. From their dusty hiding
place they were brought forth. and
the friend began an Investigation, with
the result that he discovered they
were evidences of just indebtedness
owing by the Mexican government to
Charles Jauson.
After a family conference 1t was de.
,cided that Craeltus should take the
matter In hand. He consulted with
Attorney Rufus G.. Thayer OF San
iF1ancisco and the opening Of the old
Will case Ia the result.
Janson had seen much service in
the employ Of the Mexican govern
government about IS years ago. But
it was not until 1863 that the first OF
the bonds were executed in his favor
Their dates show hat for the next
seven years he had distributed to him
large blocks OF bonds, some of which
are var issues and others for differ
'ent services.
Janson did not conceal his posses
sion Of the bonds. but, like the widow
at the time of his death, he did not
consider them worth much, principally
because in those days Mexico was con
he kept them and passed them on tc
his heirs at his death for what they
were worth.
During all Of the years they have
been in the possession of the Jansor
family nc interest has been demanded
from or paid by Mexico and 1t Ia this
accumulation that makes up a large
share Of h fortune.
Just az soon as the necessary lega
formalities here are concluded. Craze
Illus will proceed to Mexico and pre-
sent the securities for payment. Since
there Is no flaw In n Of the docu
ments. 1t is expected they will be pai(
without demur.
There will be some additional delay
in Craelius starting south because Of
the fact that all of the papers in the
Janson estate were destroyed in tn.
earthquake Of 1906. Many Of thes.
will have to be restored from copie,
or from memory in order that there
will be no hitch In the collection pro
ceedings, which will bring to severa
families now in modest circumstance,
unexpected wealth.
STREET CAPS CTu EANnpEt