Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-01-20
FOUND AFTER TWENTY YEARS.
a Legacy of $4,000 Awaiting a
Young Lady over a score Of Years
Living In New York. But Not TO
be FOund-Unexpect Wealth
Net0 York Mail and Express.

Miss Margaret Kirhv was a daughter
of the late Mr. John Kirby, q well-to do
humble man in this city many years ago.
Miss Kirby's father died some twenty
three years ago, leaving her an orphan.
He was a very intimate friend of the
late John Baker, very prominent law
yer in those days, his business being
principally with large business men and
manufacturers. At his death, among
other bequests, MIR. Baker left a legacy
of $40 600, to lie paid to the daughter Of
his friend Kirby on her attaining tie
age of twenty-one years, with the
accrued interest When the will was
offered for probate the then Surrogate
appointed one Selmi Marks. a well to do
real estate man, guardian of Miss Kirby,
then between three and four
years old. The child was in his
custody, however, but a short time,
and as her mother was known
10 have been a Catholic he placed her in
the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum at
Mott and Prince streets, where she
was received under her proper name
Yesterday a reporter of the Mail and E.U-
press called upon Mr. Henry w. Gardiner
a lawyer on Broadway, concerning the
past history and whereabouts of Miss
Kirby. He said the case had many Pc
culiar circumstances attending it. A
few months after the child had been
placed in the asylum, a lady representing
herself to be relative of the child call
ed at the institution, and, under the pre-
tence of buying some clothing, was al.
lowed by the confding sister of the asy-
In, TO fol hn oh
she nor the child were heard of again
until last July, some twentY,O one years
after. At that time no one knew any
legacy had been left to her only her
guardian and Mr.. John Roach, the well
known ship builder, who was appointed
executor of Mr.. Bakers will
After the disappearance efforts were
made by the Sisters of Mercy to find out
the whereabouts of the child, but with
out success. Some four years ago twas
known to Mr.. Roach that the former
child would have attained the age of
twenty-One, if living, and he determined
to make final effort to find her. He
was unsuccessful at first, but ultimately,
by following up elew, he traced the
object Of his search TO a house on Sec
ond avenue, between Eighty third and
Eighty-fourth streets. She was discov-
cred to be living with q Mr.. and Mrs.
Mcmahon. Mr. Mcmahon is a well to.
do contractor, and knew Miss Kirby's
father. These people not having any
children of their own decided to adopt
the young child, and since she was FIVE
years old she had lived with them and
had been educated by them. keeping,
however, her proper name, Margaret
Kirby.
Once found Mr.. Gardiner had not
much difficulty in Identifying her as the
long lost chi!1, and when the necessary
atfdavlts of proof had been prepar the
young lady, with Mr.. Roach and coun-
sci, appeared before Surrogate Calvin for
an order to pay over the legacy and in
terest. The identity being conclusive to
the Surrogate's mind, the order was
granted, and Mr.. Roach with much
pleasure handed over the amount due
with compound interest. Miss Kirby IS
a prepossessing young lady, about
twenty-five years old, with fair hair and
light blue eyes. She is still at her old
home