The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-28
ECCENTRIC SPENCER HIGH.
A Man VINO Was Pensioned by the Duke of
Norfolk.

Philadelphia Press. Tuesday. -..:..
f. Spencer High, who died in destitute cir
cumstances on Sunday, as related in yesterdays
Press, was an exceedingly eccentric and we'll
known character Everyone connected with the
department Offices of the city, and most of the
leading lawyers were well acquainted with him,
and, plying his infirmities and peculiarities,
were always ready to greet the old man with
kindness and pecuniary assistance.
1t is probable that Major Moses Veale Of the
Health Office, knew him as well as anyone for
there was hardly day when he did not receive
a visit from the genial and intelligent old gentle
man.
High was born in England in 1906, and was at
one time private tutor to the late Duke of Nor
folk, and was with him at the time when he be-
came engaged to Miss Lyons the sister of Lord
Lyons, who was afterward minister to this coun-
try. Miss Lyons was the mother of the present
Duke of Norfolk. He sometimes showed q letter
from Lord Lyons to him. He was pensloned by
the grandfather of the present Duke with 5000
a year for life. He had travelled extensively
and could speak six different languages, being al
together polished person when he had forgotten
for the timeh Authorization, which was a tinan-
cal one.
He imagined that he had written an 'Inter-
national Code which had been widely adopted,
and believed that the subsequent advance of the
world was entirely due to his CODE and that he
was owed immense sums of money therefor.
The general government owed him 800, 600, 900,
the State of Pennsylvania $15 900, 900, the city
of Philadelphia $23, 600, 900, foreign governments
10000 900, and the Pennsylvania railroad
So 000, 900. The latter part of his life was de-
voted to obtaining some recognition of his
claims, and he chung to his purpose
with persistency that defeat could not
abate. He was often to be found in the City
Council chambers, trying to get a bill through
granting him few Of his millions He also
haunted the city treasurer's Office and that of
the comptroller. 1t may be SAID to the credit of
the officials whom he sometimes, through rarely,
bored, that he was always put off with the great
est kindness. In fact he had goodly number
of firm friends among them, as well as among
the lawyers.
He came to this country in 1856, and gave to
some of his earlier friends pamphlet on ex
tending the franchise to householders, which
bore evidence of talent, and in which there was
little that was cranky. He published several
pamphlets in this country, but they were all on
his imagined rights. His personal appearance
was noticeable for his very high stock.
His summer hat he covered with black
cloth in the winter, and when spring
time came it would emerge from
its chrysalis with all the appearance of an
elegant straw. He was genial and generous So
cially Often when he had but dollar he
would meet poor man and give him half of it
and then would be obliged to apply to his friends
for sustenance. His many friends nearly sup
ported and fed him during the last part of his
life. Only last Friday Major Veale gave him q
dollar, but he was too far gone and evidently
went home without buying food, for the same
piece was found his pocket by the coroner The
cause of his death was paralysis
When he was in Washington he became great
friend of General Cass, and he used to say that
he did not know whether he should marry the
Generals daughter or Miss Lane. His quarterly
instalment of 800 was due him the 18th Of De
cember to be- paid him by Brown Bros, & Co.,
as RENTED by Few & Son, of London. the at
torueys of the Duke of Norfolk AT one time he
delivered very amusing lecture in Musical
Fund hall on Turkey In it he described Q