The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-14

Two Hundred aud Fifty Thousand
Dollars Waiting ON O1vner'-The Heir
Found in Chicago Strange Vtclssi-
tudes OF Fortune,
brief paragraph has lately run the rounds of
the press, stating in effect that a fortune of
S260,00O was awaiting DR.. Patterson or his
heirs, of Mobile. The full history of the case,
the discovery of the heir in Chicago, and the
previous experience of that person. afford mate
rial for hrst-class romance, without need of
embelhshment We propose to give merely the
outlines of the story, which is not less true than
strange.
In 1868 a rich widow came to this city from
Mobile, and stopped and remained for some time
at one of our principal hotels. she was the
daughter of DR.. b. +. Patterson, of Mobile, who
was once judge, and subsequently became a
surgeon in the Rebel service. Not sympathizing
with the rebellion, she came within the Union
lines, and, having converted most of her pro-
perty into money, was possessed OF $50, 900 in
cash. besides some lands, upon her arrival in
Chicago. OF course widow, young, handsome,
attentions while here. With her child, a little
girl, as her only companion, she led, however,
very secluded life, waiting for the termination
When hostilties were over she went to
! Mobile found that her father was missing and
no doubt dead, while his estates were almost
| entirely wasted by the disasters of war and by
| litigation. Residing for short time at Wash
| inetoD, she became acquainted with and pre-.
sently married q Mr.. D., son of a we'll
| known Rebel gunmaker at Richmond. They
| were leo TO JrV 10 increase JneH fortune IN J1e
oil regions, and removed TO that vicinity. Mr..
! DIS investments inithe land and in sinking
wells were large, but were altogether uusuc-
cessiul. The result was, that In a very few
| months they were quite impoverished, and the
husband went to the frontier to try to repair his
fortunes while the wife came to Chicago a
second time, having upon her arrival hardly
sufficient means to sustain her for one week.
She was one Of gentle blood, and unused to
I work, but che at once sought employment as
| an humble seamstress; some of our clothing
house men being Impressed by her appearance,
| readily gave such light work as she was able to
| do-preparing neck ties, etc. So, with dill
Pence, she was in few months not only able
to provide for herself ihe necessares of llfe but
to employ two or three assistants, and to look
| forward to the establishment OF more inde
pendent business.
Her husband, meantime, did not do we'll. and
proving to be unable to combat misfortune sue
cessfully as she had done, he returned in few
months to be supported by her exertions. A
few weeks ago. however, he got at work in q
locksmith shop (near McVlcker's Theatre),
where his skill as mechanic soon gave promise
OF large returns The faithful wife often car
RED his meals to him. cheered him, and some
times chided because he prolonged his labors
far into the night. He was then contriving a
patent skate. We are told. by the way, that the
| rooms they occupied were "uriously adorned.
The man was Rebel, and on his side OF the
house were hung pictures of Rebel chiefs and
other indications OF his sympathies On hers,
| were tiny "Stars and Stripes" Lincoln, Grant,
and Union heroes. But this humble estate was
| soon to be abandoned.
simultaneously with the appearance of the
paragraph to which we have made reference
came despatch to the lady from Mobile, and
another from Washington, notifying her that
in her fathers right, she was heir to the great
estate that was, as yet, unclaimed. The sewine
machine was gladly abandoned, and the lock
smith threw down his tools. Before this time, nc
doubt, the subjects of these freaks of fortune are
merrily laughing over their little episode some
where in the vicinity of Mobile Bay, and with
chastened spirits humbly enjoying the goods
that have fallen to them.-Ohlcdgo Republican.