KEYS

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 05:33:36 :

The Marin Journal
Thursday, May 13, 1920
Page 1

James W. Keys Dies Suddenly In Mexico

Residents of Marin county were shocked last Sunday to hear of the sudden death in Mexico of James W. Keys, for many years one of the leading attorneys of San Rafael.

The information came to Miss Edith Keys at her home in Tomales by telegram from Mrs. Sweeney at Rosario, Sinaloa, Mexico, where Keys owned a 20,000 acre ranch.

Another telegram came to Mayor George F. Rodden. This message was sent by wireless to San Francisco from the U. S. S. Salem, now stationed at Mexico near Mazatlan.

Although no details of the death were received, the information given having been limited to the statement that “James Keyes died suddenly,” there seems to be no doubt in the minds of the relatives of the truth of the report. They are inclined to the belief that he may have met death during the fighting between the warring forces which recently invaded that district.

Attorney George Harlan, former law partner of Keys, yesterday filed a petition for letters of administration on behalf of Miss Edith Keys, a sister of the deceased. He also communicated with Congressman Julius Kahn, a personal friend of Keys, and the U. S. Consul at Mazatlan, authorizing and requesting them to take charge immediately of the property at Rosario.

The ranch there comprises 20,000 acres, under cultivation, and is said to be of great value.

Keys was a resident of Tomales and of a pioneer and highly respected family. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s College and for many years practiced law here and in San Francisco. In Mexico he held a federal appointment conferred by President Wilson.

He is survived by three sisters, the Misses Edith A., Minnie M. and Bessie M. Keys, of Tomales, and two brothers, George, of Burlingame, and John M. Keys, of San Francisco.