12-7-90
Dear Amy
None of the biographers seem to know the reason that Traven spent the years in the jungle. He had gotten married to ?? in the British Embassy in Mexico City shortly before he had to return for service in German Navy.
The Mexican Revolution was still going on. His bride died in childbirth. The M.D. who attended (took the child) had been killed by Federales. The M.D.s family had disappeared. After the war, Traven couldn't find them nor knew if the infant or any survived. He returned to sea to earn money to continue the search. About 1924 he contacted the M.D.s famly and learned the child had been placed under the care of a friend who had a sugar plantation in Oaxaca. It had been burned down and that region was under Zapata. About 1927 Elena, the M.D.s wife, traced the child and brought her back into the family. It wasn't until about 1935 that Traven found his daughter in Mexico City but kept his identity secret.
Hal Croves wrote to me in '52 that Esperanza was dead and that in checking through her mail he found my letters and therefore wrote. Traven had come to NYC, in '46, knew my 19th St. address, knew where I worked - wrote me saying- stay away from my daughter. As Hal Croves, Traven had dealt with Esperanza, acting, he said, as Traven's agent. Esp., then secretary to the Secretary of the Dept of Education, received instant delivery note, "please meet me at x…" It had been hurriedly written, "will you please", had the word "Sie" (formal you, in German). That was 1941, that she knew Croves and Traven were one and Traven was German.
Traven knew who I was. Croves, writing in '52, assumed I was an infatuated kid (or that is what he said). He was getting his characters mixed at that point.
An Indian came to Esp's office asking her to come to Oaxaca to get Traven because he was very sick. She was a registered nurse. A bush pilot got them as near as possible. They rode 1 ½ days horseback to a straw hut where Traven was delirious. When he revived he looked at her and said, "You're pretty, but not as beautiful as your mother was." That explained much to her. He recovered. I don't know whether a formal recognition "Daddy! Daddy!" occurred. I strongly doubt it.
I don't know whether the girl who married Traven in the British Embassy had a family or left any clues.
