The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-04-20
The Will of Gamblers Daughter

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Few people outside Of New York City,
and not many in it, knew of the existence
of gambler named Dancer until a year
and a half ago, when burglars entered
his house in broad daylight, bound and
gagged his wife, and escaped with $4O,-
900 in bonds. The boldness of the rob-
berry and the size Of the booty drew atten-
ton to the quiet gambler, and at the
time many anecdotes were told of him.
He began life as blacksmith, but be-
came partner in faro bank, which, during
the flush times of the wal, yielded him thou
sands of dollars. He frequently carried on
his person between $50, 900 and 800, 900,
and on the morning Of the robbery Of
his house he had $24,57 in his watch
fob. Once bootblack, who was engaged
to ''shine up" Dancers boots, picked his
pocket of $1,000. A detective recovered
$3.50 OF the money, and Dancer paid him.
$500 for his trouble and declined to pros
ecute the thievish urchin. A gamblers
money flows like water. Last August
Dancer died, and his widow followed
him to the grave in November. But they
left an only daughter, sole heiress to for
tune of over 100000, won at the gaming
table. Miss Mary Ann Dancer was
(she died few days ago. remarkable
young woman. Naturally one would ex-
pect that she led life of thoughtless
gayety, if not one of dissipation, sur
rounded as she was by all the tempta-
lions which great wealth conjures up,
and restrained by no good home influ-
QncpS-fhn m " ri 0f
against falling into vicious courses. But
she seems to have been religious recluse,
almost She would never marry, pre-
ferring to devote her life to caring for her
parents, and to going about doing good.
She was not demOnstrative in her religion.
rarely, if ever, letting her charitable gifts
be known, and was of thoroughly devo-
tiOnal bent of mind. A few days before
she died she had her will made. After
disposingof part of her money to her
relatives, she divided $335,OOO among
thirty religious, benevolent and char
liable societies. 1t is worth while to give
the list of hese requests:
American Female Guardian Society. 1000
New York BILE Society. .............. 10000
N. Y. Association for Improving Condi-
ZION OF tnesc0Or.. Observation-Disclosures. 10000
For MissionsRef. Church in America. 10000
New York Eys and Ear lnfirmary..... 5000
Home ior ln@ra6les.. 10000
N. Y. Society pr Prevention of Cruelty
to Children. 10000
New YORK Juvnile Asylum. .......... 10000
Northeastern lispensary .......... 5000
Shelterlng Arts.. Observation-Disclosures. 10000
Nursery and OEld's Hospital ..... 5000
Northern Dispesary.. 5000
Young WomeF Christian Association. 5000
M: +. City Churh Extension and Miss
Society; -. :....:........ 10000
Am. Sunday Shool Union, Philadel-
phia. ............ ......... 10000,
Childrens Aid 3Ociety ............... 10000
New York City iissi0n Tract Society. 10000
Homeopathic Ndical College. ....... 5000
Northwestern Ispensary... 5000
Demilt Dispenery. .................. 5000
Homeopathic lSpcnSary. ............. 5000
ety.. .......... 10000
Methodist Episcopal Tract Society. =. 10000
Board of EducGOn of the Reformed
Church. 49,. .................... 5000
American Seame s Friend Society,". 10000
N. Y. Society n Relief of Ruptured
and Crippled. ..............'..... 10000 :.
american Bible eciety. .............. 10000
Methodist Home, FORTY second street. 5000
seventh Street AethOdist Episcopal
Church. 49,. 49,. 49,. 5000
Methodist Episcoal Sunday School
Chloh. $500. .................. W,OO0
Eastern Dispensar. ........... 5000
Her property as mostly personal and
is easily available
Mr.. Dancers nnnev came easy. Such
business as his hlps to make charitable
institutions neceAry and wars against
the objects of especial care to religious
societies. Certaiar proper distribution
OF his shameful eenings has been made.
1t may be said TIN restitution has been
made; that the gaIbler's daughter stroye
to repay her fathef debt to the public.
Many men toll haNand practice sharp
ness In business td uiId up a large for
tune, which is left D children bred in
luxury and idlen to squander. In
what contrast to Fese spendthrifts does
Miss Dancer appear Several enormous
" rich men have d recently in New
York, and the gaQ ler's daughter has
given In actual amt ht to charitable OBJ
yects great deal M than any of them.
The lesson taught I'll ealthy men is that
they should give wfRthey are alive, and
not trust those who not know how to
make money to spd it. Certainly it
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