The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-08-09
ITO BE CONTINUED
FORTUNE CAME TOO LATE.
Miss Catherine Gaffney Mentally and Phys
ically Failing.
(New York Star, Aug. ~

New ork star, aug. l)
Miss Catherine Gaffney, who has sud
denly fallen heir to $50, 1000, is still in the
almshouse on Bsckw.ll's Island, where
she has been an inmate for three years and
eight months. Since last March she has
been in the hospital Of the almshouse.
A reporter of the Star called at the hos
ptal yesterday to see the fortunate woman.
Warden Vought, the genial manager of the
almshouse, and the matron, conducted the
reporter into neatly kept and well-lighted
ward and stopped before a feeble, old lady
half arose. He cheeks were sunken, her
eyes we're dim and her voice trembled. Hcr
memory had faded from her. She is IS
years Old Her fortune had come to her 50
late in life that it seemed 10 mock her She
did not know the warden first, and asked
him if he was her brother Hereplied that
he was the warden, and the old lady replied
"To be sure; I remember you now. God
bless you, warden. They have been very
good and gentle to me here"
A young man and young woman,
nephew and niece of Miss Gaffney, called
yesterday forenoon to see the old lady and
said that they would take her away today.
They told Warden Vought that they would
send clothes up to the island for The old
lady and would provide well for her after
she went away. The young man is 7. Y.
Sheridan, who is one of the heirs.
The old lady was asked if she would like
to go away. She replied: mo, should
rather stay in the almshouse. l like it very
well. They are very kind 20 me.
Miss Gaffney was brought to the aims,
house when she was two years past three
score and ten. From the day she entered
till the day she inherited her fortune nc
human being ever visited her or inquired
about her. When it was learned that she
had Inherited large amount of money two
of her kinfolks rushed for the island at
once The visit of her niece and nephew
Yesterday was the first she had received
since she entered the Institution
"PareLts seldom bring their children to
the slmshouse, said Warden Eought. but
children often bring their parents here.
When the children see their parents safely
! installed in the almshouse they kiss their
mother good bye" and shake hands with
their father. Then they say to their parents
oh, yes. we'll come and see you. and are
off They come to see them once, and gen
orally they never come again. II their
parents should Unexpectedly inherit great
deal of money they would come over to see
them with q carriage.
When Miss Gatfney came to the aims
house, she told me the story of her rich
brother, Patrick H. Gsfrney of Chicago.
At her request wrote him two letters, III
forming him of his sisters situation. In
answer to the letters. he sent her two dol
lars twice, there being considerable in.
terval of time between The two gifts.
Miss Gaffney was an intelligent and
lady-like woman and has never given u:
any trouble She was a very pleasant aud
and interesting talker up TO some months
ago, when her health failed her.
Miss Gatfney has brother in Buffalo,
before referred to, and another brother
Matthew Gaffney, in Brooklyn. She is
heir to but fourth part of her dead brothers
estate, valued at $3.50. 900. and will proba.
bly, get about $50, 900, instead of the $50,
600 it was thought would fall to her The
physician thinks she has but short time
to enjoy her fortune.