Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-04-20
s '.That's my great-great- grandfather. "
exclaimed Tom.
The man of letters cleared his throat
and read as follows:

Grandson Thomas:
wrote SO ne time ago. but have had naught
in return. Your grandmother longs prodigi-
oasiy to hear from YOU Her health is very
indifferent, and no wonder, for her heart fs
bound up in you since the death of your Ia
ther and uncles. j say, grandson Thomas
come home, for you are now only and
rightiul heir. Ihaye no fears in this word
but about you. This is the third time have
wrote, but you have got none of my letters
Come home before winter if you would find
Us alive. Your grandmother sends love and
blessing
THOMAS BANNING.
"That letter. said Tom, 'swas evil
IDENTIFY written to my grandfather.
The other reads thus" said the
clerk, stand must have been written
many years after.''
2i9 STRAND, LONDON, January is, 1922.
Thomas L. Banning: -
SIR-We are authorized to inform you that
England. We shall be most happy to attend
to the matter on your behalf, should our pro-
-posal meet your appreciation.
HARVEY & HARVEY.
Solicitors and Attorneys at-Law.
"My advice, Tom, is to open cores
pondence at once with these lawyers. +"
&c Exactly ews.
That evening was spent by us in
writing letters, tracing pedigrees and
discussing Toms expected fortune; the
latter we continued doing until an an
swer arrived from London, where all
our energies were bent on establishing
Toms heirship to his great great-grand-
fathers estate. This is the lawyers
letter:
SIR-On searching among the papers of
former clients of our firm, to whom you refer,
we at length discoverthe documents to which
you refer in your favor OF March 9. We give
you summary of their contents, that you
Senting or not.
Thomas Banning of Ashton Hall, near Lit
rnarV4 Mss having survived D his u wife three
| sons and a daughter. He left no will, but it
was understood ne had a grandson in Ameri-
| ca.
Thomas L. Banning, the third son, married
young and against the wishes OF his parents
| in Virginia, and are buried at Williamsburg;
| in that State. Thomas L., their son. married
Mary, second daughter of Robert Howerson,
of Hallwell, Va. Three daughters and two
| sons were born to them in Virginia. The
| daughters died in infancy, and are buried at
the above mentioned place. Now, regret to
| say, all actual knowledge is lost. 1t is con-
| jectured that Mr.. Banning removed to Lou'si-
ana
s:No.'' said Tom, interrupting me,
che went to the Bermudas. Go on,
Harry"
| On the breaking out of hostilities search for
| the missing heir was discontinued. After this
| period it was resumed. On the list of revolu-
| tionary soldiers were the names of William
| Banning and Thomas Banning Lewis-Wi-
| liam was killed at the battle of White Plains,
Thomas discharged at the end of the war
"Thomas Banning Lewis, - said Tom,
sswas my grandfather. He took his
second name on account of the quarrel
| with his father when he joined the Nir-
ginia troops. Go on, Harry
Soon after the peace, search for Thomas
Banning or heirs was resumed: In 1871 il was
| thought Thomas Banning's heirs were living
! in Alabama, and we find a memorandum to
| the effect tha5 a package containing a minia-
| ture was forwarded to said Banning, also let
| tiers. These We're left with our predecessors
| to be sent to America, but as we said before,
| the war prevented any intercourse. Nothing
| more was done until the following year. when
| we find another letter-the copy of which we
have-was sent to the supposed heirs of said
can heirs being lost, the estate was admins
| tered upon by the next OF heir, john Hans
ford cousin german TO aho ntn ,;n bann ds
| molished and the place sold at auction
There still remains in the custody of officers.
civil and judicial, of the English government
the sum of $500, coo awaiting the true claim
| ant. This comprises all the information we
have. Ii you are able to supply the missing
| links there will be little difficulty in obtain
! ing the property, provided the heir appears
| before the expiration of time specified in the
statute of limitation.
| Wishing you success,
a+ We are yours to command,
| HARVEY & HARVEY.
Our sensations on reading this letter
| are better imagined than described.
| Tom was almost beside himself; he
| caught me around the neck and almost
squeezed the life out of me, then jumped
up and danced an original war-dance,
until [ really thought he had lost his
senses.
"Tom, you forget the immense
amount of proof required; you may not
have it,
ssBut. my dear fellow, have. My
REORGANIZATION went from Virginia to
the Bermudas. have his journal writ
| ten there. He died and was buried in
St. Georges Church-yard, beside his
| wife. William, the eldest son, killed at
White Plains, was unmarried. My
grandfather, ThomasLewis, as he was
then called, returned to Bermuda after
his fathers death, and married Caroline
Minturne, of that place, who died soon
after the birth of her second child, a
daughter, my father, William, being the
eldest. My Aunt Caroline married, and
died leaving one daughter, Frances, who
became my wife. I ana, as you know,
the only surviving child of my father.
You perceive I have, as I told you, all
| the missing links"
sBut the dates and so on.''
"Every one, from the time the fami-
ly tree struck its roots on American
soil"
"Then, my dear fellow, throw up your
hat and we'll give three cheers"
| 1t is needless to give details of litiga-
ton and vexatious delays. Suffice it to
say Tom did get the fortune, and, better
still, made me a rich man. Perhaps it
is rather superfuous to add. I married
Sophie, and Tom, in due time, her sis
| ter. In conclusion, let me say was
not made Postmaster-G General, or Chief
Clerk, or ever promoted, but, thank
Heaven, neither am any longer dead
letter.. l.. Laurence, IN Detroit Free
Press.
Physicians Fees.
Fifty years ago physicians in New
| Bedford, Mass, were paid fee of 6 IL
| - e. It, L.