Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-17
A RICH MISER,S SECRET.
The story Of - Hidden Fortune which
Reads Like Fiction.

h
ToDIAN OF 500, 900 ENTRUSTED TO HIS CARE BY
JAMES HENRY PANR, THE NIsER, WHO DIED IN AN
ATTIc-ANxIoUs HEIRS
New York Cor Of the Philadelphia Press Dec. 18th
The contest over the missing will OF the miser
James Henry Paine, who died one year ago in a
miserable little attic in this city, was resumed
before Surrogate Rollins this morning. The
same listless faces which have been present at
the hearing OF the hum-drum testimony as the
case has dragged along were suddenly beaming
with the ltveiest interest when during the day II
became known that the stakes In the race were to
be counted by hundreds OF thousands instead of
thousands and the winning man would be
enriched for life. The secreted money bags OF the
miser had at last been found and property OF
One-half q million hinged on the contest.
1t is rarely that a more romantic story is
heard than that which was told to-day before the
Wso OF 81
pendence-a member OF one OF Massachusetts, old
est families, wen bred and educated. on the 2:,d
OF December last he died in an attic on Blocker
street, half starved half clothed and half crazy.
He had been estranged from his family for years
and was buried almost by charity. He had lived
nearly quarter OF century by begging what he
ate and what he WORE yet not very long before his
death his brother, Robert Treat Paine, of Boston,
the least in his own right. what has become OF
IT." This question has puzzled many head since,
and this is what Charles F. Ch1ckertng, the piano
Mr.. CHICKERING'S NARRATIVE.
Ex-Attorney General Leslie Russell, who with
Theodore Swift, is conducting the case for the
heirs at law, cunningly asked his opponent, Ex-
Governor Chamberlain, OF South Carolina, II he
had any objections to the witness he was about to
ing then lifted up a big bundle which he had been
jealousy guarding on his knees, and walked up to
be sworn: Putting the bundle down beside him,
had, he began his tale as follows: 81 knew James
Henry Paine for years before he died. Twas brought
into communication with him through his love for
music He was an expert musical critic, and this
poor old miser had at his tongues end a wealth
OF fnexhaustible Information. But though |
to have money hidden away, / never
really knew anything about 1t. One day
hand. This Is the bundle, pointing to the pack
age beside him. 'lt was abOu0a foot long and six
or eight inches wide 1t was wrapped up in an
string. on the outside was a carefully bound an
old green handkerchief He asked IL he could
leave II In my posse ssion and answered, yes l
this and asked me If had private safe at home
which none OF my employees ever opened: 1 said,
yes again, and he carelessly replied that he
would like me to place IL there.
II took the bundle and locked 1t up, scarcely
ever giving the matter thought again. Once,
were talking about Won Bulow, the pianist, who
had recently arrived in the country. Suddenly he
interrupted me and asked me II that bundle was
again. In lact, think he never spoke OF it again
during his life"
WHAT THE GREEN BUNDLE CONTAINED.
The little Old green bundle remained hidden In
the safe gathering dust and forgotten for years.
After the old mans death Nj. Chicker1ng remem-
bered the package and took it out of its place one
day TO see II 1t contained anything worth keeping
81 had supposed 1t contained nothing more than
some old musical papers," continued he, ''and
careleSSly united the string. Tearing open one
corner caught sight OF a roll OF bank bills. 1t
seemed to me in the hasty glimpse caught that
tied the handkerchief together quickly and took
the next train for Boston to see Robert Treat
Paine, whom thought was the nearest living
relative. He said that there were nearer heirs at
Let OF March, in the presence or Sumner and
Charlie Claggett. and my attorney, we opened the
packet. Cod and silver dollars, bank notes by
the thousand certificates Of stock and script rolled
kerchief for nearly twenty years had closely
guarded treasure amounting to over $4O0pOO.
About $14, 600 has become Outiawed. The $4,000
which the certificates represented has been paid
up to me administrator by the Metropolitan
bank The remainder OF the property is worth its
full face value. There Is more property which Is
not yet collected"
Much more testimony was taken during the day.
years was employed In the Metropolitan bank He
remembered, he said far back as 1851, when
Paine had made special deposit In the bank of
1000 and had received the certificates that were
afterwards found in the handkerchief. They had
been made payable to one OF the officers OF the
bank, as Paine did not wish his name to appear
EE-Gov. Chamberlain then Said that in view OF the
days disclosure he would apply to the court for
an increased bond on the part OF the adrniniStra-
tors commensurate with the estate itself. The
administrators have given bonds to the amount
Of 81 600 only. The case was then adjourned till
Monday.
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