The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-02-18
From Poverty to 0pulence.
AN HEIR TO S40,0O0,OOO SUFFERING FOR
THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE.

THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE.
There are now in New York the
Mayor of Hamburg, Germany, and sew
eral notables, who came to this country
recently to take steps for settling an es-
tate estimated variously at from $685.
to 40,000,000, on a man residing there,
who has for some time been supported
in the act of charity. This man came
here few months ago, under the name
of Johann Spier. He brought his wife
and child about month old which
had been born in Philadelphia, where he
said he had recently landed by the Ame
rican line of steamships. His story was
that he was the son of Roelloff Van Ba-
ren, wealthy German shipbuilder
When he was young his mother having
died, his father married again, and lady
much his senior. This lady had two
sons. In the family arose feud be-
cause young Spier, or Roellof Van Bar
en-, jr, was the heir of great estate, the
father being possessed of a large estate.
| His parents intended him for Catholic
clergyman. He was educated for this
position and in due time assumed cleric
| al orders. For three years only was he
in the church and then he seeded to
Professionalism. There was much trouble
because OF this In the end there was
something more serious than wordy al
| tercation. One of his half brothers be-
| came excited in discussion over Roel-
loft change of belief, and struck at him
with knife; but Roelloff struck, inflict-
ing fatal wound of which the victim
died three days after. To escape the
consequences of the murder alleged,
though the German says he acted in self
defense, Roelloff having had the free
dom of Hamburg, fled to London. He
took the advice of the Mayors of both
Rotterdam and Hamburg to this effect
Roelloff had grand uncle enormous
ly wealthy. He it was whose estates
Johann Spier, as he has been known
here, or Roelloff Van Barren, as he is in
reality, has inherited. After Roelloff's s
flight to London his grand uncle helped
him financially for II time. Then Roel-
loft married an English woman of cul-
ture named Annette Warsop. This
brought about breach between the
grand uncle and Roelloff, and the latter
| left without resources, emigrated to this
country. He had about 5000 when he
reached Philadelphia. There his child
was born. When he started for New
York he had about $40 left. On the
way this was lost or stolen, and he had
to ask for aid Immediately upon his arri-
val. His story about being an heir to
go much wealth was not generally be-
lieved, but he was furnished with cheap
lodgings, and there without comforts,
above the bare necessities of life, he has
lived to this time. Not until he came
here did his wife know that his name
was not Johann Spier. Learning the
truth from the direction of an envelope
coming from Germany. she insisted on
being remarked under the name of Van
Barren, and this was accomplished by a
German Justice of the Peace.
I When little work, poor pay, cast of
apparently by Won Baren's family, the
outlook was far from cheerful. The lat
ter part of last week, however, Won
Barren Wa surprised by visit from the
surviving half-brother who had come tC
this country to bring Intelligence and tc
mae proposition which sounds like one
of Monte Cristo's. The intelligence was
that Heinrich Spier of Hamburg. whose
family name was Won Barren had taken
had died in December at the great age
of 103 years. The proposition was tha
the new millionaire should make his step
brother the manager of his estate, hs
(Von Baren) 10 receive $25,000 weekl,
from the estate during his life and step
brother, to receive the rest. The step
brother, Heinrich Won Barren, had $25,
900 with him, which he offered to hsnt
over to the heir at once, If he would sigr
paper to such agreement, but Roe llof
refused. With the stepbrOther was Attor
ney William A. Beach, of New York
The stepbrother and heir met in New
Haven lawyers Office. There was littl'
good feeling between the men, as mign
be expected; After the interview will
Won Roelloff arranged to 60 to New
York and will visit that place and confe
with the Hamburg Mayor and notaries
His estate does not come into his posses
sion until April. There are prelimi
nary matters to be settled, The prob
able and estimated income form the i'm
mense estate is about $45,O00 per week
The dead miilioDaire is said to have own
ed several shipymds and seventy ships
sailing 20 various parts OF the globe.
Won Barren is much excited over hi
good. d..fortnne, which he could barely cred
it at first, but he has slept little for som
days. He is a modest appearing man
aged about thirty-iiye, not heavily built
and has light hair and blue eyes. II
speaks English indifferently. His wit
speaks both German and English fluent
| ly. He says that he has suffered sine
he has been here for the absolute neces
sites of life