, 1889-09-05
a sriiEAK or FORTUNE.
How n Clerk Was Raised From u $3.50
Salary 60 A niuenco.
from the Philadelphia Rccord.l

Shiary 80 muencC.
From the Philadelphia Record.l
One jump from $3.50 week behind II
counter to II fortune of 1000, This IL
the feat accomplished within sixteen
months by young William Bittles, of
Fifteenth aud Taskor streets, aud his
streuk Of fortune now fires the ambition
of all Southern Philadelphia. The story
was brought to light yesterday by a gor-
gcous funeral from the Bittlcs residence.
Never was such u rich cortegc witnessed
In the neighborhood. Four sable horses
drew the hcnrse, resplendent with the
waving plumes of mourning. And i'm
the hearsc was u cusket OF the most
costly black silk plush, weighed
down with massive silver handles
stretching It's entire length. There
were flowers in protusion IL was the
remains of Mrs. Bittlc thus carried TO
the grave, u woman known throughout
all the neighborhood, who remained in
maidenhood until she was 81 years old,
and then succumbcd to the winning
ways OF William Bittis, Il young man of
20 years. The latter was then clerk IN
Walsh's installmcnt house in West Phil
ndelphia, and living in bare comfort, but
his spouse, who was Miss CharlOte
Mahan, had n bank account of $4,000.
money left her by her brother, we'll
KNOWN harness manufactures.
About sixteen months ago Bittts was
introduced to Miss Mahan, and ho inn
inediately set about TO pay her court.
Although the woman was over 5O years
of age and Bittis not more than half so
old. she received his attentions, After II
brisk courtship OF three weeks they
were married and took up their home
in Alton street near Fifteenth.
Bittis Immediately secured II
large silver door-plate bearing his
name and place it upon the front door.
lie invested in II fast horse and was IL
frequent visitor to Point Breeze racing
track. Mrs. Bittlcs placed u portion of
her money with Builder McKccycr and
they went into II building operation on
south Fifteenth street. When the
houses were finished which was about
q month ago, Mr.. Bittles, his wife and
the servant girl moved into No. 1916,
mOniously. The wife made an allowance
70 the husband and he seemed to enjoy
life in his new home.
\ week ago Mrs Bittles fell sick, and
she died on "Wednesday night. Before
her death the husband presented TO the
wife will transferring all her property
TO him. The woman was so weak that
she could not write hcr name, but she
was enabled to make her mark in the
presence of the attorney for her husband.
This was ut o'clock in the afternoon,
and ut midnight the woman died.
AS soon rs the womaIis death was
made public, the noighbors began to
gossip, and as n result Coroner Ash
bridge was soon dclugod with letters
calling his attention TO the suspicious
features of the case. The coroner called
upon the husband, who at once declared
himself ready for the most searching
investigation. DIR. Stewart made an cX-
animation and found that the woman
had died from natural causes, and EXON
Grated the husband.
The next feature in this remarkable
case was the funeral, which took place
yesterday, and which was worthy OF an
$4,000 wife. The order for the affair
was placed with Undertaken $. II. Fo<-
ter, and Bittlcs said toihim: Now,
want four horses to the hearsc, and you
must get this affair up in great style.
know she would like to have it done
right, and intend to do what she would
want
The cnskct was model. IL was of
cedar, covered with black silk plush,
with great silver-plated handles extend
ing along the sides. The remains were
attired in very rich shroud. The room
II the house whore the body lay WAS
filled with flowers, and the wife had
most gorgeous funeral.
Mourners camo by the hundreds. All
the residents of Atton street, where Mrs.
BittleS formerly lived, were on hand.
They filed the house TO sultocation, and
when the funeral started for the grave,
nt Tenth street and Washington avenue,
they filled every carriage. One hundred
vehicles would not have accommodated
all that were present. The neighbors
stood aghast aS the four-horse heaIse
drew away from the house with its load.
All craned their necks and strained their
eyes to see the bcrefC husband that had
made such a successful match.
Young Bttlcs, who is now the talk of
the ncighborhood, is well known in the
southern part of the city. He has been
in this country from Ireland only four
years. He did not forget his parents iu
the old cauntry during his reign of pros
perity,and sent his father $500 which his
wife gave him.
ltwas stated last night that the rcla-
tivcs of Mrs. Bittlcs do not intend that
the husband shall have undisputed pos
session of his wilc's money. despite her
Will, They propose to contest the will
unless an umicablc arrangpmpni shall Inc