The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1877-07-05
The Story Of Ben HalIiday's Niil;oas-How

man once known all over the continent,
namely Ben Halliday, who made for
tune by running stage coaches across the
plains 10 California, before the Pacific
railroads came along and knocked the
reputation OF at least half dozen emf
nent Christian Statesmen all TO pieces.
The railroad knocked Halliday's business
al TO pieces, too, but in one way or
another, he had accum ulated an immense
deal of money-eIght or ten millions his
bis friends said-so he came to New
York with his family and spread out in
style of royal magniticence-that is,
his family did, for Ben himself had no
special desire for anything in tina: line.
His wife and two daughters embraced
The Roman Catholic faith; and Mrs. lial-
liday soon became a conspicuous per-
sonagc N the m ,st fashionable OF our
Roman Catholic churches, st, Stephens.
She was at the head OF pretty II och
every fair, festival, concert or other pre-
iect TO supply the church with funds, and
her own purse was always one OF the
first 10 be opened. Her daughters, both
blooming with young woomanhood, were
also conspicuous in these affairs, AMI
being handsome, talented and prospect
lively very rich, of course they had plenty
of admirers. Halliday purchased 4
magnificent country seat in Westchcster
county, and LAID out a fortune in I'M
proving it. It. was estimated to be
worth half million. To crafty his
wife he had q handsome chapel built
near the house, and religious services for
the family were frequently held there.
Mrs. Halliday and her daughters made
tour of Europe, travelling in the style
of Princesses, and on reaching Rome
they hired one of the finest old man
sions in the city, and entertained visit
ors without limit. This was kept up
for several months, and the travellers
then returned. | believe it was while
they were abroad that one Of the daugh-
tiers became = countess by marrying q
Frenchman who had title, and hardly
nothing else. The second daughter also
married Frenchman, but whether here
or abroad | do not now remember.
Both, with their mother, reappeared in
New York society, and became more
conspicuous than ever. The Countess
Pourtales Gorgicr and Madam de Buis
ser were names OF some of somo note
or Murray Hill. The owners had pre-
viously been known only as the daugh-
ters OF Ben Halliday. SO much for the
bright side. The dark one soon follow
cd. Trouble came into tho family cir
Gle. The marriages did not turn out
quite so happy as had been expected.
One of the daughters-the one who had
married the count died, leaving one
CHI lid.
Mrs. Halliday herself died soon after.
She must have had strong prejudice
against Frenchmen, though being the
mothcr.in-law Of two, for in her last will
she declared that if her surviving daugh-
ter should ever become a widow and
marry another Frenchman within two
generations, she should forfeit all claim
to any part of the mothers property.
This will, however, was not admitted TO
probate, but another one, made two
years previous, whereby Mrs. Halliday
gave all her property to her husband,
was admitted. The daughter now wants
the probate Of the first will set aside,
with view of establishing her rights
under the second, and the father Is nee
essarily the party against whom the suit
IS brought. But Ben Halliday is no
longer a rich man. All his great wealth
has melted away. Tho magnificent
country seat was sold some time ago &c
pay taxes. True, it was purchased by
parties supposed to DO acting in his in
tercst, but the mortgages on it represent
ed nearly every dollar it is worth. The
Mutual Life Insurance Company holds
one OF si3322 900 and Angus. Belmont an
other CT the same amount. Although
the property was once valued at $780,
600, il would now bring very little ii
anything over the mortgages OF $500, 600.
Soon alter the death OF his wife aud
daughter aud the breaking up of his
home, Mr.. Halliday, desiring some occu-
patton TO distract his thoughts, went into
speculation. Luck and the circum-
stances of the time were against him,
however, and he lost heavily. Like
hundreds of others he was caught in the
ebbing tide, and before be could get out
almost his whole fortune was gone.
The last time heard of him previous
to the commencement OF his daughters
Salt, he had gene away from New York
altogether, intending to close his days
among the miners of California and Ne
vada. They were his friends twenty
FIVE years ago, when the accumulation
of his fortune began, and when be found
himself down in the world again he
thought it best 10 return to them.
Judge Brewer, one Of the ablest men