The daily gazette., 1882-01-06
From the World.
a MISSING HEIREss FOUND.

THE CURIOUS STORY oF MARGARET
KIRBY As TOLD BEFORE THE SUR
ROaATE.
Some twenty years ago the late John
Baker, prominent lawyer Of this city,
died aud left $4,000 TO the orphan
daughter Of John Kirby, his intimate
friend and buGiness associate. At the
time OF Mr.. Bakers death Margaret
Kirby was In the charge Of MIR. SalIni
Marks, real estate dealer, who had been
appointed her guardian and the admin
.strator ofMr. Kir5y's estate by the then
Surrogate. MIR. KIRBY had been Pro-
testant, but his wife was IA Catho
lie. The relatives OF both father and
mother seriously objected to the child
remaining in the custody Of a Hebrew,
and MIR. Marks, after c.nsuliaLIon with
tie late Archbishop Hughes, then Bis
hop, placed little Margaret in the charge
OF The Sisters At tho Roman Catollc
Orphan Asylum al the corner OF Mott
aud Prince streets. This arrangement
had been concluded before Mr.. Bakers
death. Mr.. Bakers will provided that
Mr.. John Roach should act as executor
aud for the pay meat OF The money, TO
Rether with ACQUIRED interest, to the girl
when she became twenty one years old.
| When M. Roach took possession Of the
estate aud inquired for the child, the
| Sisters at the asylum said that lady had
| CO led at the asy lum aud stated that she
was . relation OF the chlld's mother. She
requested permission to take the little
girl out and buy her some clothes, and
| this being granted she and the child had
| left, but moi returned. No trace OF clue
of any kind could then be found, and
Mr.. Roach was Obliged to abandon the
| search.
About the beginning OF last year Mr..
Roach calculated that Margaret Kirby,if
size were living, was old enough TO be
entitled TO The money under Mr.. Bakers
will. He accordingly put men on the
track OF her and ~ June discovered her
to be living almost in the character Of
an adopted child with MIR. and Mrs. Nc
Mahon Of 1912 Second avenue. The
girl was known by the name of Margaret
Kirby, had been well educated by Mr..
| Mcmahon who is q contractor, and was
happy and contented In the home she
had found. The proofs that she was
the person sought tor we're sufficient 10
satisfy Mr. Roach, but the beirs to the
Baker estate disputed her identity. In
order 70 settle the matter Mfr. William
Il. Gardiner, a lawyer,of 1856 Broadway
brought suit against Mr.. Roach for tbs
payment of the money before the Surro
gate. The proofs adduced Of the iden.
THY of the girl satisfied that officer aud
MIR. Roach was directed TO paythe money
over. A reporter called upon Mr.. Gar
diner, who said: "The amount which
has been paid so far is about So, 500
although we expect we Will get more In
time. The Baker estate has been in
volved 10 litigation for many years, anC
1t has decreased in value more than on
half owing to charges Bpon it, shrinkag
10 values and things OF that kind. A
one time the heirs declared theIAselVe
satisfied with the proofs which W
brought to their notice but atterWard
they changed their minds and refuse
to acknowledge the girl as being tn
Margaret Kirby mentioned in MI
Bakers will" Miss KIRBY is abou
twenty five years Of age, has fair hal
and light blue eyes and is still livin
with Mr.. and Mrs. Mcmahon, althoug
at present absent on a visit 20 friends /
New jersey.