The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-02
HAS HE A FORTUNE.
some Points About John De shanus.
what Il Ho9

A little over two months ago reporter
connected with this paper ran across John
De shanue, little, dried up Frcnchman,
with piercing black eyes and wife with
ditto eyes and strong Irish brogne. The re.
porter had heard that this descendant Of
Napoleon had fallen heir to an immense for.
tune, lCitln France by an uncle who had died
four years previous, leaving Il provision in
his will that his money was to be divided
four years afterwards John was very much
incensed at the pencil driver, and informed
him that lie had no business with his affairs.
To this the reporter blandly acquiesed but
continued his inquiries, and soon overcome
all Mrs. De Shanue's objections TO his know
ing the story.
With. many an imitation French wave Of
her dirty hands, and an occasional multered
protest from John, she told how, during all
their life they had been poor, but now they
were 10 receive money aud live In ease, and
when the money came they would tell their
story, She said the money would come In
May.
The shanues arrived in this part Of the
country about seven mOnths.AgO. Where
they come from, no one really appears to
know. They speak OF Washington Balti.
more and Pittsburgh. In the latter city
John claimed to have been robbed OF valuable
papers and money. His wife went to work
US house maid, and lac irequented barber
shops, his profession being that Of barber.
For awhile he ran small shop on Gravel
Hill, Bellaire, This lasted but short time,
! however, and then he came TO this city. His
wife quit work, and they went to boarding In
Market Square. They were there'buta short
time when they went to Smiths on Water
street John wanted to buy out Smiths bar.
Der shop for so co. but the arrangement was
not perfected, After remaining there short
time the pair moved to Gravel Hill, where
they now are.
John still continued to visit Wheeling
after the removal to Bellairc, which was soon
after the time the article about his fortune
appeared. Armed with this paper and va
riOus legal looking papers he approached a
respectable gentleman OF this vicinity, whose
name and profession at present shall be kept
secret, and made his acquaintance. This
gentleman was getting ready TO send $ll5 to
France; this John knew, and on the day It
was to be sent, got the man into his board.
Ing house and persuaded him TO hand the
money over to assist him John in getting
his fortune, rs he was so very poor Later
who refused TO give It. A few days ago the
man went to Bellaire to try and get ShAnuG
to return his money, and was turned oil
very abruptly; the gentleman nor the cause
1t was intended for can afford 10 lose the
money. II Is said that from Henry Brun.
haus John procured $3.50 in the came man
nsr. and $I5 from South Wheeling party.
| Since hcha been here he has loafed around
the barber SHOP Of Mr.. Fr,imuth, in the rear
Of the Stamm House. although not wanted
there. About two months ugo he commenced
showing every time he arrived quantities OF
iewclry, among which were three gold
watches apd chains and rings innumcrable.
All OF these lie claimed were presents except
one watch. All Of this OF course was not be.
lteved, as John is not u progressing or
agreeable fellow. About month ago he an.
nounced that he had purchased valuable
farm in New Jersey on which he had paid
s., 600 and was to pay 81, 0OOmO lie wanted
to raise that amount, lie showed a deed for
the same made by i. Scliuchardt, Of L0uisi.
ana. Mr.. Freimnth wrote to Mr.. Schuchardt
to ascertain il such was the case, and the fol.
lowing is the reply:
FRANKLIN PARISH, ST. MARY's, la, |
February D., 1852
lfr. Michael Freimuth, P, o. Dor %, WReeling,
". Va.
DEAR sIE-In reply to your inquiry oil
February - addressed to MesSrs Schuchardt
Sons, ! beg leave to state that the estate Of
Mrs. Scuhchardt owns farm in New Jersey
but has never sold it to any one, nor received
5000, or any other sum, on account OF any
pretended purchase OF the same.
Very respectfully yours,
FRED. ScIucHARDT, Executor.
This WOulH gfgmp nnn NJ EropIl,v'S Stnring
u false one at least. The gentleman who gave
over the Sis says he knows the DE Shanue.
OF France, but never heard OF this branch.
Some people are going to watch Jean
Crapeau."