New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-20
GROCERY BOYS GOOD FORTUNE.
TIE FORMER WARD OF A CUBAN SAID TO BE THE


HEIR TO A LARGE ESTATE.
Much intercs1 has been aroused among the resi-
dents of Port Chester Wcstchester County, by an
occurrence which happened there en- Saturday
last, and which, Is generally believed, VIII place
Que OF the villagers, hitherto IN humDle circum-
stances, in possession of fortune. A TRIBUNE re-
porter visited Port Chester yesterday, and ascer-
tanned the following facts III regard 10 the case !:
About eighteen years ago Cuban, who gave his
name Gabriel Touceda. arrived at the village OF
Mount Vernon, winch Is few miles from fort
Chester, with five young chlldTeD-twO girls ana
three boys. He procured board for himself ana the
children IN the village at the house OF Mrs. Coles.
The children all had the name or Iouceda, except
one of the boys, who was called Antonio VALDEZ.
The name of OF the Cuban's sons, whose age was
abou, the same as that of Valdez. was Antonio o.
Later in the same year Mr. IOuceda lett Mount Yer
non with his children, but allowed Valdez to re-
nam with Mrs. Coles, promising to send her the
her that the parents of Valdez were dead, but
that ne mad brother living. y few months later
he saw Mrs. Coles aud told her that the SPANISH
Government had cOnfscated hls property, and that
he could no longer be responsible for the boys
board. He advised that the boy be sent 10 some
public institution Tor children. This was not done.
however. and as Mir. TOuceda was not again heard
from a home was made tor Valdez at Mrs Coles's,
and lie was sent TO school. Later on he was en-
ployed by Samuel Purdy. of West Farms. with
whom he remained five years. and ior the past four
yeals he has been employed by 1. A. Stephenson.
grocer. of Port Chester.
On last Saturday afternoon two young men, well
dressed, and of respectable appearance entered Mr.
Stephenson's store and inquired Tor Valdez. one
was a Cuaan, about Twenty-Five years of age, who
gave the name OF 4. q. 1oGceda. lie told me-
said Mr.. Stephenson, yesterday. that his father
was now wealthy, and had had men searching tor
Valdez for several years. he had volunteered TO
continue the search himself. ana had been given
sufficient money to prosecute IL for six months lie
SAID that Valdez would nave occasion to work
any more for his living. When i asked him how
much money was coming to Valdez be evadcd the
uuestion by saving that he had not been at home
much. and was not familiar with family atfalrs.
He was evidently honest AMI told Il clear story
The only thing peculiar about the Is that the
man who once wanted to get rid of the boy should
be 80 anxious to have HIM return to Cuba now
Valdez emcmbeTcd the four children. and asked
abou: them Touceda told him that all his relatives
were dead. He went away, saving that he would
communicate immediately with his father, and
would PROBABLY send for Valdez next week"
Valdez is bright, active young Cuban, about
TWENTY-FIVE years of age. He is known throughout
the village as Tony" He knows nothing of the
Spanish language, aud does not recOilect when he
came to tins country. lie visited Mount Vernon
yes:erlay and was told by George Gould, of that
village, that IOuccda and his friend called at the
hotel there Oh Saturday, and SAID that he Valdez
and his brother nhorted estates valued at
50 900 600. Valdez said yesterday tdat he did not
intend 10 leave tins country for Cuba, even If the
necessary money was SEM TO HIM. without getting
the advice of the Spanish Consul in this city.
Several prominent residents OF Port Chester have
become interested in the case, and advise him not
to trust himself III Cuba unless fully protected.
Mr. Touccda gave 10 Mr.. Stephenson bis fathers
address as follows: Senior Don Gabriel TOuceda,
A Hon 80, Cardcnas, Cuba.