Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-16
THEEGAZETTE.
SINGULAR HIsTORY-;A MILLIONAIRE
IN A BUFFALO WORK HOUSE
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 10. 1859.

WEDNESDAY, MORNING, MARCH Is. 1859
A SINGULAR MsTORY-;1 MILLION ARR
IN A BUFFALO WORK HOUSE.
We have mad related to us the following
singular narrative of an event recently trans
pircd which is almost too remarkable fol
credence. The chain of circumstances which
led TO the fortunate discovery savors of the
romantic-it adds, however, another proof
of the adagc that truth is stranger than tc,
ton"
''Some two weeks since a young man OF
gcntlomanly address, and who from ap
pearance bore evidence Of having seen better
days, arrived at Tonawanda, and calling
at the house Of Mr.. Browning of that place
begged for something to eat, and asked for a
situation. He gave a history Of his circun,-
stances as follows:-He said his father was
wealthy, lived in France. and that he left his
home in that country on a pleasure trip to
the United States, bringing with him So, 600
for spending money and other purposes.
ION landing in New York. and after ST.
journing in that city short time, he deposited
10000 with banker who was d Jew. He
was then led by some new made acquaintan-
ces into scenes Of dissipation and gaming,
where he lost the remainder of his money!
To add to his misfortunes, the Jew banker
also failed, and swindled him out of his NOR
ey he had deposited with him. His father,
he said had banker in New York from
whom he might have obtained assistance, but
he determined, from motives of pride and
chagrin, not to appeal to him in his extremi-
ty by giving statement of his condition.
On receiving with some doubts of its truth
fulness the above statement, Mr.. Browning
took the young man into his employ for a
few days, end set him to work packing
shingles" He afterwards went to Buffalo
Mrs Browning, however, in the meantime
out of motives of curiosity wrote II letter TO
the above mentioned banker whom the young
man stated was doing business for his father,
enquiring of him in regard to the truth Of
the matter.
The banker on receipt Of Mrs. BIS letter
Immediately repaired to Tonawanda and con-
frmed the truth of the statement and also re-
lated other facts in connection with the case
more wonderful still. lie stated that he had
recently learned of the decease of the young
man father, who had died leaving the young
man heir to 1000, 900 and also that 500, 600
had already been RENTED and was in the
hands of himself. The banker on receiving
the news and not finding the fortunate in
heritOr of this vast sum- advertised for him III
the papers. The banker then gave MIR.
Browning SO to prosecute the search for
him in Buffalo where it was supposed he
had repaired. After two days spent, the OBJ
ject of the search was found in the Erie coun-
ty work-house, where he had been committed
few days previous as vagrant He was
very sick and his disease was pronounced by
the doctors to be incurable. He had two
days longer to remain before the time for
which he was committed would expire.
1T may be readily conceived that the news
of his good fortune and the certainty not only
ofimmediate reliefbut of restoration to the
head of wealthy estate, with the surround
ings of ease and luxury, melted the most
powerful emotions in his breast. The few
days he had yet to linger among the destitute,
seemed to him ages; but it was found imprac-
ticable to obtain a release. except through
the interposition Of the Governor. Accord
inyly it was arranged that the Count De
should remain until his time should expire
without any further effort being made to oh
tain his release. After his release from the
work house he was brought to the house of
Mr.. Browning at Tonawanda, his former
place of abode, where he still remains very
sick, under the medical attendance of DIR.
Locke. The young Count has since received
two more remittances from his banker, and
his condition is as good under the circum-
stances as could be expected. Thus ends for
the present the first chapter Of this strange,
eventul but nevertheless true history. -
Lockport 4drertiser.