Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-04-02
THE CHRONICLE.
From the San Francisco Bulletin.
PASSING STRANGE.

4 SuDph1nt for Charity, tCith For
Glida6Le Bank Accotnt-An In
maze of the AEBlsh6lESe Possessed o
Over Ten thousand Dollars ia Coin
About noon to-day, the Supsrin
tendent of the AlmshOuse entered thl
Mayors office, and, addressing the
Mayors clerk, and Bulletin reportel
said, "a man just offered me $40, 900
in coin for nothing, and declined Il
take It. What do you think of that p
Taking the remark as q pleasantly
the parties addressed made q ioculal
reply, declaring their udslteraole be-
lief that the Superintendent could
eUuld not be induced by any consid.
eratlon 10 take q cent which he had
not earned by the sweat of his brow
and WeIe continuing in this strain
when Mr. Heating made statement
which is substantially set forth below
which had the effect TO make merli-
ment give place to wonder.
On yesterday, late in the afternoon
q mau small In stature, weaZen and
shriveIed, and bending under the
burden of extreme old age, knock
ed at the AImshouse door fUr ad-
mission. He presented to the Super
intendent certificate showing that
he had been IN the City and
County Hospital, and had been by
the Resident Physician Of that inst1-
tuition transferred TO the Almshouse.
Patients so transferred are deemed to
be iIcurable. The Affections of the
dried up little man who stood at the
AlmshOuse door, and TO whom the
Hospital could extend no further help
were asthma and old age. He was
soOn, in accordance with the custom,
to take q bath. As he en-
tered the bath-rOo they asked him
If he Lad any money about him. he
yes. Being asked To turn
1t over to be placed in the safe for Sc
curity, he emptied from some old
stockings S1lO in gold, $40 in gold
notes and SI4 Us in silver-tOtal, $244,
O5. He was asked IL he had any more,
aud said no. The Superintendent
picked up leather wallet which had
dropped from the mans clothing as
be was preparing himself for the bath,
and inquired as to the centents. He
was invited to examine for himself
He did so, aud found pass-boOks
crediting the old man with S., 200 OH
deposit ia the French Bank, g, 200 in
the Hibernia Bank, and 81, ,6S8 in the
bank over which Thomas Mooney,
EhilOm candidate for Governor, and
now absent in Europe on business
1Dce presided with distinguished
ability. In response to Mr.. Keating's
questions, the rich old pauper stated
hat the deposits in the two banks
first named were drawing interest;
hat his interest received from the
French Bank amounted 10 $500 annu-
lily, and that he was in the habit OF
irswing $3.50 every six months. As
o the sum on deposit in the collapsed
Mooney bank, be said he had receiy-
ID two dividends, and expected q
hird IN June next. Mr.Keafing then,
ee ng b { his visitor vas d cid d Y |
veil "fixed," informed hhn that he |
Ould not remain in the Almshouse
| STRANGE CAREER-BUT PROSPER
oUs.
This announcement was very |
one. The aged s1pDli-
mt said he did not need money, yet /
oveted security AGAINST want during
be short remnant of his life He |
ffered the whole Of his fortune to |
In. Heating if be would agreeio take |
are of him while he lived and then |
bury him. The SUperinten-
elit told him that his official posi-
on prevented his entering into any
ach compact with him and that the
was not designed for those
rho could take care Of themselves.-
he t,ld man replied that he could
Ot take care Of himself; that he asked
he city 70 take care of him aud let
i'm STAY right where he was; he
ked the place and wanted TO live and |
lie there; il this permission was &C
orded him, he was ready 10 turn his
Money into the city treasury.
1 be old curiosity then gave an out
ne of his life. His name is Charles
,urgot. He was born in France, /
Thieh country he left thirtysthree
ears ago. After following 3 sailors
fe some thirteen years he came to
an Francisco. He has has been here
Renty years and is eighty-three years
Id. Was in the mines short time.
ut made no money there. Made all
is hoard by selling city papers, an
ccupation which he has followed |
with slight intermissions
yer since his arrival in the State. 1t I
as been his universal custom to rise |
4 4O'elOck in the morning, 90 to the
all press rooms, purchase his daily Z
lpply of papers aud proceed to the
" frOnt, where he would sell bis pa
ers TO the passengers entering aud
aving abe city by the boats. He
rs not a single relative living, nor q Z
lend to whom he desires 70 bequezth I
Ie SAVINGS Of his lowly calling and
life. He had been at 4
cked and robbed several times; was
Irroted about three months ago, one {
orning before daylight on his way {
the wharves, when what money he !
Id about MIN, only q few dollars,
as taken. He had only ceased
.ddling papers some ten days ago
I'd determined to do no more work.
e knew his money would support
N comfortably at private institu-
Ons, but sup posed private parties I
ould defraud himl If he intrusted
mself and money to private hands, 6
hat security would he have against @
position ? If the city would eDp-
nt to take his money and let him $
Ye out his life in the Almshouse, he 4
1uld feel secure. and happy; wanted I
} better home. /
THE MAYOR CONSULTED. l
Thus talked the old man-strangely :
It cOherently and poIntedly. H9 Z
ID an answer for every question: :
ne Superintendent gave him a good :.
tn, a good supper and good bed, :
I'd placed his coin and passbooks In !.
{ safe. This morning he awoke in s
cheerful mood and partook of a !,
.arty breakfast. Mr.. Heating then '
ked him if he was of the same mind :.
last evening. He said yes. he =
can't all he said. Mr.. Heating then =
gan TO think IL was about time to
INSULT Mayor Alvord in the case. He y y
me into town and acquainted the ,
ayOr fully with all the facts as de- r
lied above, and inquired the best :
urse to pursue. The Mayor natu- :;
lily was at loss what TO suggest y
ter deliberation it was finaIIS deei.
d to let the old man stay where he =
for o week or so. and see If he ad- =
res to his present notions. If he :
es the City Fathers will probably :.
t their heads Dngether and fix his /,
ltus. n
NOT INSANE. :
1t may be added that old Bnnrdt. .