The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-06-19
AN INDIANA HEIRESS.
How Willy English Attorney Has Succeeded
in Delaying the Settlement of an Estate.

JEFFERsoNvILLE, Ind. June 1S.-It has
been whispered around this city for some
time that Mrs. Isabella Howell, o we'll
known resident, was an heiress to an estate
in England estimated to be worth several
hundred thousand dollars, but it was not
until yesterday that the report could be
verified. reporter visited Mrs. Howell at
her home. on Front street, last night. and
obtained from her statement that she is
really one of three children to whom vast
fortune is coming, and, from all the
surroundings it is apparent that she
&C Come. . Her grandfather, Josiah Sawyer,
she said. resided in Liverpool, and was
ship-owner. He had one son, Jonathan
Sawyer, who was the father of Mrs Howell.
Jonathan Sawyer came to this country and
Capt. Josiah Sawyer's ship was wrecked in
a gale and he was lost. 1t was known that
he had large fortune, estimated at about
q million dollars, but. as he left no will. it
went to his wife during her life.
named Addison. and five ehildren-three
sons, William, Henry and Thomas, and two
daughters Isabella and Susan-were born
to the couple. Isabella married John
This latter person is conspicuous In the
story told by Mrs. Howell. Mrs. Addison
died without the knowledge of Mrs. How
ellis father. In 1857, while Jonathan Saw
yer was living In Louisville he saw an ad-
vertisement in a local paper inquiring for
the whereabouts of Jonathan Sawyer. only
heir of Josiah Sawyer, and giving notice
that by the death OF Mrs. Addison, fort
une left by his father awaited him. Saw
yer went to England as fast as he could,
but arrived there only to find that the
estate had been disposed Of and the money
coming from il had been paid into the Bank
of England, there to await the discovery
of himself. While in England, Sawyer
to look after the collection of the estate.
Shortly after his return to his country,
Jonat han Sawyer died, leaving his.atfairs
in such condition that his heirs did not
the fortune that belonged to him. One
Sunday morning in 1876, two men, dressed
in the height of English style. called at
Mrs. HOwelPs home, III this city. Both of
who met her at the door said that his name
was James McNallS;, Of England. and his
of England. McNally then went on
to say that he and Wood were on
McNally. II learned that you were daugh-
ter of Jonathan Sawyer, and that you re-
sided in Jeffersonville. 1 then determined
to visit yon for the purpose of consulting
you regarding the estate coming to your
father We will only remain long enough
to talk over the matter. and the rest of our
business can be transacted by letter when
] return to England, which will be in a
few weeks" McNally and Woods re-
mained with Mrs. Howell for dinner. They
left In the afternoon on an y. n M. train.
That was the last that has ever been seen
of John McNally. nor has there ever been a
line received from him. Mrs. Howell wrote
repeatedly to him, but never received any
reply. She then wrote to the postmaster
Mt Sifton's View, Mayhill, and found that
McNally had recently changed his location,
but to what point W as not known. WOods's
address was obtained after several months
searching. and he was communicated with.
Several letters through him were sent to
agent. A personal letter was written to
Woods and he advised Mrs. Howell to drop
her correspondence with McNally. as he
did not believe that everything was all
right
Yesterday Reuben Daley, proprietor of
the Jacksonville Evening News. left here
for a pleasure trip TO England. Before his
Howell, who executed power of attorney.
Daley, authorizing him to act for her, and.
if possible, get the estate in some shape so
that it can be collected. Mrs. Howell
while not wealthy. lives comfortably, and
is one of the most esteemed ladies of the
city, but il would not have taken man as
shrewd as John McNally is supposed to be
long to discover that she was in no financial
would require the expenditure of thou
sands of dollars. Besides Mrs. Howell
there are other heirs TO the estate, one of
them being Mrs. Amelia Cowden a sister,
and the ten children of Henry SAWYER de-
ceased. all of whom live at Cloverport, KY.