Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-03-04
In a Pauper's Grave.
A MINISTER WORTH HALF MILLION BU-
RIED IN THE POTTER FIELD.

- -
A MINISTER WORTH HALF MILLION BU-
RIED IN THE POTTER S FIELD.
1t seldom happens that a man, a minis
ter of the gospel, who dies worth thous-
ands Of dollars, is buried in the Potter's
Field 1t occurs more rarely that an es-
tate. estimated at half a million dollars,
waits in vain for claimant for month
after it's former owner has been placed in
a panpers grave. Yet both these things
have taken place IN the case of the Rev.
George H. Pool, formerly pastor OF the
Fourth Presbyterian church, this CITY, who
as recently announced in the newspapers.
died in the hospital at Fla' bush, l.. L.
Mr. Pool was in many respects an eccer-
trio and incomprehensible character. H.
said little of hi private affairs to any Ont
even to his mos. intimate f,lehdS. Whe'
on his death-t.d. though asked repeated.
about his former life and advised TO c. III
municate with lis relations, il he had ali
he maintained the same strange silenc'
until death put 1t beyond his power t" dis.
close the hlstor, Of his past, even If b
would. After waiting without avail. 70
some friend of the dead man to come al
claim the body, the officers OF the lnstitu
ton were obliged at length to lay it IN th
ground devoted ny charity to the last rest
ing place of the poor and fOrsaken dead.
After it became Known that Mr.. Poo
had been connected with church in this
city, inquiries were set on foot to Learn
something of his history. 1t was Surmis-
ed from papers he had lift that he had
been very wealthy. Inquiry has at last
succeeded in throwing me light on the
mystery Mr Pool came here in 1875 and
preached in various Methodist churches.
He afterwards joined the Presbyterian
communion and was made pastor of the
Fourth church. He then boarded a. a
house on South Thirteenth street, where
he remained until be left the city. Books
and papers are still there belonging to him
waiting claimant. Among the papers
are copies of deeds to lands in Cook cOun-
iy, ILL.,, Albion, Mieh.. to lands in Mlssnu-
ri and other western States and letters r. :
lating to the same. Mr.. Pool was also
largely interested in patent rights, and
only a short time previous to his death
purchased the right to a patent for thick
eniLg Grape. He owned a cottage at Sea
Grove, N. j., building lots in Chicago and
Patterson, N. j., coal lands in Pennsylva-
mia, and a gold mine in North Carolina
at the time of his death he was engaged
in suit for lands estimated at $50 00U,
and suit in equity for patent right in
which $50 900 are involved. The value OF
all the possessions left by him is estimated
at half million dollars.
His history is still involved IN much OBJ
security. From an account written by
himself on the cover of an old volume of
sermons, ii would appear that he was born
ia Mononga la county, Va, now Yves.
Virginia, IN 1926. He Joined the Metho-
dist church, i'll Pittsburg, in 1849, and re-
ceved six appointments from the Metho-
dist Conference of that CITY and immedl
.tely after went West in an evangelical
| capacity. He spent considerable time III
| Chicago, working with signal success as a
| temperance preacher. He remained some
years in Kansas, where he had landed
property. He had chair for time, it is
said, in 1858, at Obprlln College. He ha
TWO brolhe in the ministry, both Bap-
fists. He had two sisters, botr of whom
are supposed to be living and were recent
ly residing in centre county. this State
| also live. Before leaving for New York,
| Mr.. Pool esided in Camden, where he
was interested in real estate. Among his
| letters there is one from H. G. Wright,
| superintendent of the letter carriers DE-
,'artment of st. Louis in 1878; one from
T. e. Anderson. H Huntington Valley, Pa.
aud one from o. e. Morse. corresponding
ecretary of the Foreign Sunday School
Association, Brooklyn. The two clergy
| men who are thought to be Mr.. Pool Is
brothers have been written to ly Mr.. Hor-
| ace W. Hepburn, who was tor many years
Mr.. POOLS legal adviser.
Mr.. Pool, while here, suffered greatly
with an affection of the spine and had fire
Quent hemorrhayes. He Was, though &C.
! centric in his habits, very generous to the
needy. He talked cheerfully upon all sub
jects except his family affairs. Concern
ing them was DUMB. even to his counsel.
He is said to have had morbid love for
litigation and was constantly engaged in
| law suits. He was, withal, shrewd, far
seeing and daring IN his speculations. His
reticence concerning his family gave some
who knew him well the impression that
there was secret connected with his past
| life that he never would reveal. 1t is ever,
bought that his name was an assumed
ne. But 1t is bel eyed that the loadstnne
If hall a million dollars will succeed IL
iraWing his relations the light, wher-
yer they may Philadelphia Times.