The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-04-26
HIS LIES ROMANCE
John Fleming's Remembrance
of His Old Sweetheart.
THE REQUEST OF A DYING MAN
He Leaves All His Property to the Children of
the Woman Whom He Loved
Many Years Ago.

The dry and musty records of the courts,
stored away in dark vaults and other re-
cesses, contain many sad story.
They tell of the loves and hates; of avar-
Ice and generosity; of scheming and con-
niving; of wrecked lives, ruined fortunes
and crimes.
They represent nearly all that is good
and bad in mans nature. Two papers
lying side by side are the same to look
upon, yet one may contain generous be-
quest to those who need the help, to little
children who are unable to fight the battle
of life alone; it may be filled from cover to
cover with good thoughts and deeds
and have brought light and warmth
into homes that would otherwise have
been gloomy and desolate. The other may
be just the opposite, and by its seemingly
cruel DEGREES have brought disaster, ruin
and disgrace to those who otherwise would
have been well and happy. The stories
bound up in these documents are daily re-
vealed to the public through the medium of
the press; yet in great many cases details
are usually lacking. In fact, fine details
are very often suppressed at the request of
those most interested. Out of the diSsen-
ton and strife, to settle which The courts
were Instituted, however, there arises a
case that appeals to the better natures of
all familiar with the facts. Such a one
was on in Judge Zane's court yesterday.
Its title was:
Hugh Foley ct al. VS.. John E. Dooley trus-
tee" II
No defense was put in, and the trustee
was ordered to give the plaintiffs the fund
held in trust by him. There was nothing
unusual in this proceeding, but behind it all
was an interesting and romantic story. In
August, 1887, man named John Fleming
was lying sick at st. Mary's hospital. He
was an lrishman of fine education and con-
! siderable means, and when his phySicisnS
told him that his life was drawing TO a
close, he expressed desire to see Mr..
! Dooly, the banker. When the latter called,
| Fleming told him that he had but short
time to live and he wished to give to him
absolutely, all that he possessed,
consisting of 5000 in cash, 30
shares of Ontario stock and 200
shares of Horn Silver stock. After his
death, he wished Mr.. Dooler to deliver this
property to the children of Mrs. Michael
Foley, who were living at Ennis
COrthey, County Wexford Ireland.
! While the sick man never said as much in
| terms, there were circumstances which
plainly indicated that in youth he and the
woman whose children he desired to benefit
had been sweethearts. What ever caused
them to part Is unknown, but certainly
Fleming's love only died with him
Shortly after he had disposed of the pro-
perty in the manner stated, and to his entire
satisfaction,
Gods finger touched him, and he slept"
Mr.. Dolly religiously observed the re-
qnests made by Fleming. He first wrote
TO the parents of the benefclaries, but the
! letters were returned through the dead let
ter Office. He then wrote to the Catholic
bishop, but he was unable TO find the par
ties. Still undiscouraged Mr.. Dooly sent
man connected with the Inland revenue
| service of Great Britain to Ireland and at
last the parties were found living in another
part of ireland in a state of poverty and
wretchedness only too common in the
Emerald Isle Then the banker had this
suit brought and the judgment rendered
against him SO thai he might turn the little
fortune in nis hands over to those to whom
it belongs. The stock has been converted
| into cash, and the fund now amounts to
IS, $780, and it will come as Godsend to
those poor people in Ireland. This thought
will doubtless recompense the banker for
all the trouble he has been TO in carrying
out the request of dying man.