Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-05-25
A Rag.nicker,s Fortune.

From the Albany (N " Journal April 2g.
About two years ago Catharlne Jacobs,
about eighty years of age, rented the
two front rooms at 81 Monroe street.
She lived alone, not desiring even the
neighbors who lived on the same floor
to visit her. at any rate after a specified
hour in the afternoon. She was in the
daily habit of making rag picking and
begging excursions, which, combined
with the aid she received from the lead
ing Episcopal church and from various
benevolent sources, enabled her to en-
JOY comparative comfort.
On Friday evening last the sound Of Il
heavy thump was heard on the floor of
Mrs. Jacobs apartments by the neighbors
underneath, but supposing that some
thing had iallen-a chair perhaps-no
attention was paid to it. Soon after, a
lady who had been in the haiti of call
ing on the old woman and rendering her
assistance, dropped in, as usual, and
found Mrs. jacobs lying on the floor
helpless from a paralytic stroke. Assist
ance was called and the poor woman WAS
placed i'll bed and physician sent for.
AT ten O'Clock next morning she died.
The neighbors assisted in laying her
out and preparing her for burial on Sun
day. On removing the bed on which
she had lain, it was discovered thai con.
cealed in and underneath it were large
number OF gold and silver coins and
green backs, and small bag full Of gold.
This led to IA further search, and in va
Iious parts Of the two rooms, in pieces
of crocllery and about the hearth, more
coin was discovered. This was carefully
laid aside, to await some one to make II
disposition of it, and that one arrived.
About nine o'clock in the evening
man apparently sixty years of age
stopped IN the restaurant of Mr. Tobin,
corner Of Chapel and Monroe streets,
and inquired the exact location Of 81
Monroe, saying that his mother, whom
he had not seen for forty years, resided
there, as he had been informed. He was
directed to the place and left. Shortly
afterward he returned and said he had
found his mother, but found her dead.
He then inquired where he could spend
the night, and was directed to the City
Hotel. The next day he called again,
and saying he had to make arrange
ments for the funeral, again went to 81
Monroe street. After the funeral he
took possession Of everything of value
in the house, which he packed up, re-
marking that he was satisfied that he
had come on. The furniture he distrib-
uted among several OF the neighbors.
He then left, and has not since been
seen.
From statements he made to the
neighbors while here it would seem that
his name is John Beacham, son of the
old lady by her first husband, and that
he is now resident of Washington,
where he is employed by the Navy De
partment. When he was about eighteen
years Of aye she married for her second
husband one Jacobs, a colored man and
boss chimney sweep. After the marriage
he ran away, and his mother never heard
from him since. BY her second husband
she had several children, none of whom
are living. Her husband subsequently
died.
The son, after leaving home, went to
sea. and visited nearly every quarter of
the globe, but finally married and set
tied down in Washington. His wife
dying, the desire came upon him TO
look once more upon the face OF his
mother, and he returned to this city
with the above result after an absence
of forty years. The money found in and
about the room and furniture is varl'
ously estimated at from $1,000 to
| $1,000.