The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-07-10
A NIiliiOlairc'S Fate.
THE RISE, THE FALL, TIE WANDERING, AND
ROMANTIC DEATH OF JAMES Ii. WHEATLEY.
TCondensed from Mondays Brooklyn Easle.]

THE RISE, THE FALL, TIE WANDERING, AND
ROMANTIC DEATH OF JAMES Ii. WHEATLEY.
[Condepsed from Mondays Brooklyn Eaglel
james Fl. Wheatley left Tennessee for
Brooklyn over twenty-five years ago, when
lad of sixteen years. Being penniIess he
pitched in with will, and at the age Of
thrty.eight found himself millionaire,
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
much-needed home for consumDtiyes. He
lived in magnificent house. He did not
drink, chew, or smoke. The panic OF 1873
crippled. He LETT 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 o., 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 pite-
ously for help. His vest was unbut-
toned, and his ruf1ed shirt and col
lar betokened struggle. He seemed I'm.
der the influence OF a powerful drug. To
the officer the PROSTATE man said he had
been robbed and nearly murdered by high
assault upon HIM. AS he was walking along
suddenly assaulted bythree men. who threw
him down and began to beat him. They
then tore open his vest and robbed him of
$4,000 in money and bonds. On the per-
son OF the victim were found securities val
ued at $4,000, togelhe with small sum of
money, Ii valuable gold watch, and set OF
diamond studs. The police did not credit
the story OF Mr.. Wheatey, but his friends
to this day express the opinion that he was
robbed. He was taken to hospital, and
leaving it. the next day without a
good.b bye to his wife, disappeared. Then
it was discovered that be was Il defaulfer 10
q large amount. Detectives who were put
upon bis track found him in Henderson,
vile, small mountain town Of North Caro-
limo, but found him on his dealh-bed. He
had entered HendersonvilIe last winter,
ragged, foot-sore, and sick. He worked, |
though, and stayed in the town, where he
made the acquaintance OF woman named
Jose pbine Bond. Her relatives were in good
A warm attachment quickly
sprang up between Mr.. Wheatley and Miss
Bond, Although the former was somewhat
eccentric in his behavior, his acqualntances
attributed it to bis illness, and had no idea
that he was demented. Mr. Wheatley's ILL
ness grew upon him. He suffered from
Brig6ns disease OF the kidneys. Miss Bond
frequently visited the house where he
boarded and tendery nursed him. Her ut
gave rise to some scandal, ana IN
order to stop the gossip Miss Bond pro-
posed to MIR. Wheatiny that they should be
and that he should be taken
o her house. The insane fugitive
eadlly assented, and when be was
II a dying condition q clergyman was.
ummoned. and the ceremony was solemn
zed. Mr.. Wheatley was then borne 10 Miss
sond's house on bed, from which he never
TIRED until his death. The woman ne haa
yedded tenderlr nursed him until his de-
1ise, aud then his remains were buried In
be village churcb-yar An intimate per- 1
onai friend OF the former millionaire e, hear
1g or bis said end, has just brought the /
oay to Brook lyn, and Inferred It in Green !
,ood Cemetery.