Morning journal and courier., 1889-08-28
BITTLES, GREAT LUCK. A $6.5O Week Clerk Steps Into a For- tune OfMore Than $SO,0OO.
 From the Philadelnhia Racordl

tune ofMore Than $sO,o0O.
 From the Philadelphia Record.l
 One jump from $6.5O a week behind @ counter to fortune of $80, 900. This is the feat accomplished within sixteen months by young William Bittles of Fifteenth and Tas- ker streets, and his streak of fortune now fires the ambition of all Southern Philadelphia. The story was brought to light yesterday by agorgeous funeral from the Bittles residence. Never was such a rich cortege witnessed in the neighborhood. Four sable horses drew the hearse, resplendent with the waving plumes of mourning. And in the hearse was a casket of the most costly black silk plush, weighed down with massive silver handles stretching it's entire length. There were flow CTS in profusion. It was the remains of Mrs. Bittles thus carried to the grave, woman known through all the neighborhood, who remained in maidenhood until she was 52 years old, and then succumed to the willing ways of William Bittles, young man of 26 years. The latter was then a clerk in Walsh's installment house, West Philadelphia, and living in bare comfort, but his spouse, who was Miss Charlotte Mahan, had bank ac- count of $80, 900, money left her by her brother, well-known harness manufactur- CT.
 About sixteen months ago BittIes was in. troduced to Mies Mahan, and he immediately
 
 woman was over 50 years old and Bittles not more than half SO old, she received his atten- tions. After brisk courtship of three weeks they were married and took up their home on Alton street, near Fifteenth Bittles imme diately secured large silver doorplate bearing his name, and placed it upon the front door He invested in fast horse, and was ire quent visitor at Point Breeze racing track Mrs. Bittles placed portion of her money with Builder McKesver and they went into building operation on South Fifteenth street When the houses were finished, which wal about month ago, Mir. Bittles, his wife and the servant girl moved into 1, ,546, where they seemed to get along harmoniously. The wifi, made an allowance to the husband, and h, seemed to enjoy life in his new home. A week ago Mrs. Bittles fell sick, and sh' died on Wednesday night. Before her deatl the husband presented to the wife a vii transferring all her property to him. Th' woman was so weak that she could not writ, mark in the presence of the attorney for he husband. This was at o'clock in the after noon, and at midnight the woman died. The next feature in this remarkable cas- was the funeral, which took place yesterday and which was worthy of an $S0,000 wife The order for the affair was placed with Un dertaker S. R. Foster, and Bittles said t him: "Now I want four horses to the hearse and you must get this affair up in great style I know she would like to have it done right and intend to do what she would want" The casket was model. It was of cedar covered with black silk plush, with great sil ver-plated handles extending along the sides The remains were attired in very ricl shroud. The room in the house where tn body lay was filled with flowers, and the wifi had most gorgeous funeral.
 Young Bittle, who is now the talk of th' neighborhood, is well known in the southerl part of the city. He has been in this countr l from Ireland only four years. He did no forget his parents in the old country durin
 his reign of prosperity, and sent his fatne $500, which his wife gave him..
 It was stated last night that the relatives o Mrs. Bittles do not intend that the husban | shall have undisputed possession of his wife money. despite her will. They propose to COT test the will unless an amicable arrangemen shall be reached.