Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-21
A Nan I.ooAing for a NIL: lon and a half
of Money.

Theophu b. Morgan. born in Leeds, In
followed the soa for thirty seven years. He also
served in the late war But since March last he
| has been engaged in looking up the little matter
heir. Mr.. MORGAN and a consin. A. NJ. Morgan,
also of Portland, went to New York. and in a
LAWYERS Office, the latter related, in substance,
the following story
"I.et me tell YOU of Uncle Theophns's family.
| His father, John Morgan, was born in Maine,
somewhere the Penobscot river in 1894. He
had five soDs-.john, (who sometimes wrote his
name John b. and who made the money we
are looking after,) James Webster, Jesse and
Theophius r. John Morgan, the elder, was a
ship carpenter, aud he died in Portland, in 1855,
when 81 wears Of age. His son John b., was born
in Bath, Maine, about 1893. Early in life he be-
gan to follow the sea, and about 1923 he came to
Portland, a. the master of vessel. Here be mar
red. His wife was one of the bellies of Portland
The counle's married life was very happy for a
time. II" followed the sea, and at the same time
established her in the fancy goods business in Port
land All went well for time. until he learned
that his wife was not faithful to him, He tried in
every way to win back her love- promising to over
look all wrong; but in vain. 10 1929 he returned
from voyage to find her still pursuing her evil
courses. There was a scene. He then left this
woman, who absolutely refused to give up her
lover. After a rowing life, he reached this city
While here Mr.. Morgan continued, he wrote
two or three times to his mother, who was living
in Portland, but he used the assumed named of
James Smith, and was particular that his mother
should direct his letters thus. This WAS the last
direct communication that his family ever had
with John Morgan
1t was in 1887 when John Morgan came to New
York and became extensively engaged in the real
estate business. After time his friends lost
track Of him, until about four years ago, when
advertisements appeared asking for the heir, of
John Morgan, who had died, leaving property
of 81 800 900.
At this time Theophilus B. Morgan was the
only surviving member of the family. His four
brothers were desd-ihst is il John was dead
and all his sisters. Johns unfathful wife died
without issue, and Theophilus was next of kin,
and heir to the million and half. A relative,
Mrs. Elizabeth Douty Of Cape Elizabeth. Me-.
saw the advertisement in the paper, and told
Theophlus, and thereupon he began an exhsus
tive search, which has been prosecuted diligently
in New York, in New JERSEY and in Canada.
In looking up the case, Mr.. Morgan continued
we found an old directory that showed that from
lS4S to 1851 John was doing business at No. 2
Wall street We also saw that x-Gov. Edwin d.
Morgan had his Office at the same place and at the
same time. Governor Morgan is a relative, as IS
Homer Morgan. Their fathers were cousins Of
nv Uncle John, the father of Theoph,lus. We
went 10 Governor Morgan. He said that he
didn't know anvthino about John Morgan; never
heard of the man. We told him what the directory
showed. 'Oh, you've found that much. have you ?
said he, and then wouldn't have ANYTHING TO say
about it further. Then we oked for some of the
property John had owned We fonnd that it was
situated here. in Jersey City, and in Boston.
Records showed that the property al Third Ave-
nue. and Eleventh street had been leased to a j.
F. Stebbins. now of Stamford, in 1884, and in
1855 released for twenty-one years by John Nor
gan, and We found that the lessor of the property
could not now be found, and that Mr.. Stebbins
was still collecting rents We also came to the
conclusion that John Morgan owned the prop
erty at l49 West Forty Second street, near Broad
wsv. We found men who had known him when
he lived there, and had Known him WELL This
property recently sold nv Josiah Jecks, the real
estate dealer. Surprising he had sold IT for some
one, we asked him whom he got il of. He said
he didn't know. Didn't know anything about the
property Owned it himself. and wouldn't tell US
snv,hng about it.
That is the wav the matter stands now, Mr..
Morgan concluded We have had pretty uphill
work so far, hut there must be some one who
knows about John Morgan's death, and we are
going to make it very profitable to any one who
will bring US information here at II, William
street. Meantime are going to keep busy
We have several good clues, and when we do open
this thing there'l be breeze
II is reported that a lady is now living in Lew
iston, who lived in Portland at the time of John
Morgsn's final departure and who testifies to the
fact of the inhdelity and the separation. Three
or four times Morgan tried to win her back, but
she refused On receiving her final refusal,
Morgan looked up to the woman with whom his
wife was stopping. saving: Life is sweet, Mrs.
A." and plunged a knife into the breast of his
wife. causing her death. He then stabbed him
self, in6icting severe wounds. He was taken to
the hospital where he remained until sufficiently
conva escent to be removed to Jail. The night
previous TO the dsv fixed for his removal WAS wild
and stormy. A band of disguised men entered
the hospital and took Morgan away, and, it is
supposed sent him ont of town on board vessel.
SO much sympathy was felt for Morgan that little
effort was made either to discover him
or his rescuers.