The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-02
FORTUNE FOUND HER OUT
MRS. GAFFNBY INHERITS $4,000
WHILE IN THE ALMSHOUSE.


There, But He Was Summoned First
and His Fortune of $4,000 Goes
to Poor Relatives-Story of an Ad-
vertisement
From, the Mem York Star.
Catherine Gaffncy has been found There
are many Catherine Gaifneys in New York,
but this particular Catherine has been in
visible for many days. No one knew what
had become of her. Advertisements were
inserted in several newspapers, asking for
information as to her whereabouts, but it
was not until yesterday that the informa-
ton meterialized. Catherine did not know
she was such noted person. She is now,
however, the possessor, or will be pretty
soon, Of n neat little fortune.
The much sOught-aftcr woman was found
IN the almshouse. She is white-haired, and
has been an inmate of that useful though
charitable institution for some time, and on
Saturday last was, according TO custom,
plying her needle and thread there. Tickle
fortune in one Of its wild freaks of fancy,
lowered around and smiled in at the win
dow. Then it smiled on Catherine, but
even then she did not know how soon she
would be an heiress.
The matron of the institution personated
Fortuna. She had read in the morning
papers n few days previous an advertise
ment asking for information of the where
abouts OF Catherine Gaffney. 1t was signed
by Silas NJ. Stilweil, a lawyer of No. III
broadway. At first the matron paid no
attention to the matte, but suddenly she
+ emembcrcd that she had an old woman of
that name in the institution. Sho came
there about two years ago very feeble. The
matrOn asked Catherine if she had ever
81 ny1a al atl
said she had. She had known a lawyer
named Silas NJ. Stillwell and had worked
for him for many years The matron then
sent word TO the commissioners of charities
and correction.
Communication was opened up with the
lawyer. 1t resulted III the woman being
fully identified. All this time she had
been kept in the dark as to what was the
matter. Her identity, however, being fully
established, she was informed Of the fact
that she was an heiress to $4,000. 1t is
seldom that the commissioners are called
upon to perform such pleasing duty, but
in this instance it was done with fitting
sOlemnity.
Patrick II. Gaffney died suddenly in Chi
clgo on July 10 last, intestate. He left an
estate valued at $3.50, GOO, and it is to a por-
ton Of this sum that the woman is entitled.
Ono other sister of the dead man has been
found in reduced circumstances at Chicago.
There is also a brother to hear from, who is
supposed to be in New York state. Each is
entitled to about $50 900.
Catherine has now left the almshouse and
is being looked after by Lawyer Stllwell.
The old woman wept for JOY when she heard
the news that she was entitled to so much
money. There was an affecting scene in
the almshouse when the matron told her,
and her grief at the death of her brother
was not particularly deep. 1t was not ex-
pected that it should be- as he had left her
in the aims ouse so many years,
She has already laid great plans for the
future. If able to carry them out, there
will be very little left of the $4,000 Her
ideas of living are rather primitive, but she
wants to help all the friends who had been
kind TO her in her adversely. Mr.. Still
we'll, who is deeply Interested in the case,
will see. however, that the old lady is prop
erly taken care # and will have her newly
acquired inheritance invested to the best
advantage