Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-04-17
KATE TOWNSHIPS WEALTH.

KATE TOWNSEND'S WEALTH.
A Claimant For the Fortune Left by Trois
vile Sykes Victim. in the Person Of ar
ter In Her Fall But Is Willing to Accep.
the Price OF Her Shame.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, April Il.
Mr.. Austin A. Caravan, the attorney EN-.
ployed by Andrew Cunningham, of this
city, to prosecute the latter's claims to the
estate of Kate Townsend, the murdered
New Orleans cyprian, was seen yesterday
in relation to Cunningham's prospects OF
success. Mr.. Cunningham is not at pres
emit in the city, but it is understood that
he firmly believes that the Townsend wo-
man was his sister She was
murdered by her alleged husband,
Troisville Sykes, a few months
ago, and Sykes, who was made sole heir
TO her fortune of about $3.50, 200, was ac-
qu1tted. He has been prevented, how
ever, from obtaining possession of the
property, by legal process, and it is now
tied up in the courts. The fact has al
ready been published that Cunningham
instituted suit to secure the property, as
one of the woman's nearest living rela-
tives, and the circumstances which in
duced him to this course are somewhat
peculiar. The story as told by Mr.. Can
AVIAN is as follows: From proofs and
other reliable Information now in the
possession of Cunningham it would seem
that he and his two brothers here have at
least good claim to the estate. Mr.. Cum
ningham discovered his relationship with
the woman in singular manner. at the
time of her death lengthy reports of the
tragedy were printed in the local press.
He read the first telegraphic report of the
homicide, and, experiencing a peculiar
and altogether irresistible interest in the
matter, followed the case up. His inter-
est seemed to cease after the last report
had chronicled the interment of Kate
Townsend and the holding of Sykes
for trial. 1t was several weeks later
when on a Sunday forenoon he
purchased local morning paper.
He had not been reading the paper long
when his eyes rested on reprinted in
terview between New Orleans reporter
and Mrs. Anna Hournboose, the woman
who had done Kate Townsend's washing
for twenty years. In that article it was
stated by Mrs. HournboOse, who lives
On Rocheblane, near Palmyra street, New
Orleans, that Kate once told her in the
course of confidential conversation that
she had relatives living in America, and
that her real name was Cunningham.
She continued that instead of Kate her
given name was Bridget, and that her
home was in Waterford, County Cork,
Ireland. Like a flash the startling intelli-
gence passed through the mans mind,
and he remembered that he, too, had a
sister whose name was Bridget Cunning
ham, and that she was born at the home
of her parents, who had lived in Water
ford, Ireland. He felt almost certain
that the dead woman was his own sister,
but he feared to associate his good name
with that of the dead cyprian, who had
been the most notorious woman of her
kind in the South. He did not rest the
matter, and opened correspondence
with friends living at New Or
leans. 1t was ascertained by him in that
been his sister. He also remembered
that his sister Bridget had gone
South twenty-three or twenty-five years
before, and that because she gave her.
self up to a life of shame he and his
brothers had broken off all communi-
cation with her, and finally lost track
of her entirely. Since the matter has
been given to Mr.. Caravan valuable
Information has been received from vari-
ouS police officials and Catholic priests
Of the Crescent City. The Information
Is of such character as to leave scarce
" doubt that Kate Townsend was
none other than Bridget Cunning
ham. Further developments are expected
within few days, also the result of the
by DIR. Lemonnier, Coroner
If New Orleans. Mr.. Cunningham is q
forty-two years of age, and lives
with his son-in-law, of a similar name, at
he corner of Forest avenue and Thirty
sixth streets. He has not worked for
several years, and is supported by his
children. His family consists of two
sons and four girls, all of whom reside in
his city. One of his brothers is labor
ng man and lives at Madison, Wis, and
he other is believed to be in Amsterdam,
whittier he went about five years ago.
Mr.. Canavan feels confident that his
client is the rightful heir to the estate,
but declined to divulge just what other in
formation he had in his possession.
Troysville Sykes, better known as
sBilI'' Sykes, the legatee of Kate Town
sends will, was her lover for years, and
was believed to have been her seducer.
He lived with her, at her house of ILL
lame, No. 40 Basin street. and never did
my work, existing entirely off her bounty.