The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-03-05
FROM GUTTER TO FORTUNE.
Romantic Career of n Young but Dissl-
pated Scotchman.

philadelphia Special
A strange story Of wandering, hardship,
and final return to his native land as heir
to a fortune came to light here to-day con-
cerning young Scotchman Of high fami-
ly named William Anderson. About two
years ago he had disagreement with his
father, wealthy, conservative gentleman
of the old school. His parents stern Pres
byterian code prevented him from winking
at some of his sons escapades, and the
latter, in hot-headed haste, left his home
near Inverness and took sailing-vessel
for Liverpool. He had goodly purse
which his sister, the only other child in
the family, had given him. Ho was desir.
GUS of seeing life, and purposed making a
fortune in this country. He took an out.
ward.bound steamer for New York, and
upon his arrival there looked about for
work. Meantime his fun DIS ran low. Final
ly he obtained employment with truck
man named Bedloe, near the Bible House.
A prolonged debauch lost him his situa-
tion, and the little money he had was
taken from him In the Bowery one night.
As porter In a furniture house in East
Eighteenth street he served short time
and then struck out for Colorado, after
writing to his sister for money.
In Denver he led for some weeks course
similar to that he had followed in New
York. He went to small town in the
southern part of the State and one day in
a saloon he got into an alteration with
some herd imen and cowboys. They
whipped out their pistols and were about
to riddle him when he began to dance the
sword'danco in real Scotch fashion.
This sudden ruse so amused the men and
won their admiration for his pluck that
they asked him to join them. For nearly
ayear he remained on O ranch, and then
sought Chicago.
He got employment as janitor for
Charles N. Hale, a real estate agent at No.
1853 Randolph street. The proclivity for
social pleasures kept him from his duties,
and he was soon on the streets. Then he
worked for Frenchman named Loeffel in
restaurant in Washington street, near
Fifth avenue. His loyalty to Scotch whis-
ky, however, soon brought him to the con-
diton of vagrant. From station-house
lodgings he was taken to the hospital
stricken with typhoid fever. Here he suf-
fered terribly, and was very Ill. Several
weeks saw him hanging in the balance,
but his vigorous constitution finally pre-
vailed. For a week he acted as one of tho
army In a melodrama at McVicker's Thea
ter. Finally he became reduced so that he
applied for means TO get back East. At
length Scotch benevolent society aided
him and started him for New York. He
had not heard from his people, and re-
solved TO stay in Now York.
Reaching this city, he stopped at the in.
vitation Of countryman intending to visit
with him. After losing his friend he spent
his money, threw away his ticket, and was
once more n tramp. Lodging was given
him at the Broad Street Station January
22 and at the Sixth District the Saturday
following. At the rooms of the local
Scotch society ho claims little attention
was paid to him. In deplorable state Of
need he wandered from door to door. In
Chestnut street he was given cold lunch
with piece Of the Ledger wrapped about
It. CHANGING to look at the letter list, he
saw his name. Without much faith I'm tho
result he called at the post-oflce and re
ceived letter which had been sent TO him
at "North" Eighteenth street, New York,
and forwarded to this city. Attorneys an
nounced TO him in this communication tho
death Of his sister, year previous, the re-
cent demise Of his father, and the fact that
$4,000 awaited his claim. He said to-day
that II he had not happened to look ut his
name in the letter list he probably would
not have learned of the state OF affairs at
all, as he had determined to die rather
than to write or TO return TO his home.
When he made known the facts he had
learned to G. w. Childs that gentleman
Immediately purchased him an outfit and
ticket for Liverpool. He sailed to-day
from this port on the steamer British
Prince. He says he thinks he will 60 back
TO Colorado and buy ranch.