The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-07-25
A GILLIoNAIRE's FATE.
THE RISE, THE FALL, THE WANDERING
AND ROMANTIC DEATH OF JAMES III.
wHEATLEY. -
From the Brooklyn Eagle.

-5a From the Brooklyn Eagle.
James I'll. Wheatley left Tennessee for
Brooklyn over twenty-five years ago, when
had OF sixteen years. Being penuiless
he pitched in with will, and at the age
nf thirty-eight found himself millionaire.
He married an estimable Brooklyn lady
and turned his attention to the doing of
good works. He was chief mover In many
charitable schemes, presented rectory to
st. Peters Episcopal parish and founded q
much-needed home for consumptiyes. He
lived in a magnificent house. He did not
drink. chew or smoke. The panic Of 1878
came, and Mr.. Wheatley found himself
crippled. He left the sugar business and
went to Philadelphia to manufacture water
proof cloth. Later he went into the shirt
business in New York. On the night of
August 81, 1878, Officer Cannon, of the
New York police, found Mr.. Wheatley "
ing on the sidewalk at the corner of Charles
and Morton streets. He was moaning pit
eously for help. His vest was unbuttoned
and his rufded shirt and collar betokened a
struggle. He seemed under the influence
of powerful drug. To the officer the
PROSTATE man said he had been robhed and
nearly murdered by highwaymen. He pain
fully told the story of the assault upon him.
AS he was walking along Sixth avenue, Just
at dark. he said. he was suddenly assaulted
by three men, who threw him down and
began TO beat him. They then tore open
his vest and robbed him of $40, 900 in mon
ey and bonds. On the person of the VIC
tim were found securities valued at $15, 600
together with small sum of money, val
liable gold watch and set of diamond
studs. The police did not credit the story
of Dir. Wheatley, but his friends to this day
express the opinion that he was robbed.
lie was taken to hospital and, leaving it
the next day without goodbye to his
wife, disappeared. Then it was discovered
that he was a defaulter to large amount.
Detectives, who were put upon his track,
found him in Hendersonville,a a small noun
tain town of North Carolina, but found him
on his death bed. He had entered Hender-
sonville last winter, ragged. footsore and
sick. He worked though and stayed in the
town, where he made the acquaintance Of
@ woman named Josephine Bond. Her rel
atives were in good circumstances. A warm
attachment quickly sprang up between Mr..
Wheatley and Miss Bond. Although the
former was somewhat eccentric in his be-
havior his acquaintance attributed it to his
illness, and had no idea that he was de-
mented. Mr.. Whestley's illness grew upon
him. He suffered flom Bright's disease of
the kidneys Miss Bond frequently visited
the house where be boarded and tenderly
nnrsed him Her attentions gave rise to
some scandal, and in order to stop the
gossip Miss Bond proposed to Mr.. Wheat
ley that they should be married, and that
he should be taken to her house. The in
sane fugitive readily assented, and when he
w~s in dying condition a clergyman was
summoned and the ceremony was solemn-
lied. MIR. Wheatley was then borne TO
Miss Bonds house on bed, from which he
never stirred until his death. The woman
he had welded tendefly nursed him until
his demise, and then his remains were
buried IN the village charchyard. An in
timase personal friend of the former mill
lionaire hearing Of his SAD end has just
brought the body to Brooklyn and inferred
it in Greenwood Cemetery.