Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-25
FATHER AND WEALTH
Discovered at Seattle by Fireman T.
II. Morgan, Of Pittsburg.
TWENTY-YEAR MYSTERY SOLVED
Meeting of the Two Widows and Son of the
Dead Merchant.
AN ESTATE OF NEARLY HALF MILLION

Thomas II. Morgan, member Of the
Pittsburg Fire Department. returned yester-
day from Seattle, WASH, where he found
his fathers grave and a fortune of S40O, 900.
The story is a remarkable one, and some
of its features were given exclusively in
The DISPATCH last summer. Twenty
years ago Ebenezer Harrison Morgan was
keeping store in Middleport. o. He was
a well-read man, with a retentiye memory,
and was a charming conversationalist.
Wherever he went he was the life of the
company, and his society was greatly
sought. As Morgan was a warm, free
hearted man, this exposed him to great
temptation from those convivially inclined,
and occasionally he succumbed. Asa re-
suit his business was neglected, and in time
he became financially embarrassed and was
forced to dispose of his store and stock at
sacrifice.
Left Home to Start Life Anew.
Morgan left his wife and four little ones
to 60 out into the world and obtain a new
start. He first went to Youngstown, but
did not stay there long, Then he came to
this city. He was not very successful here,
and wrote to his wife that he intended to 60
to st. Louis. That was the last communica-
ton ever received by his family from
Morgan.
After time Mrs. Morgan became anxious
about her husband. Weeks heightened into
months and months into years, until she
gave up all hope, and became convinced
that she was a widow and her little ones
were orphans. Mrs. Morgan then deter
mined to remove to Pittsburg, that she might
obtain educational advantages for her chill
Gren. Here she has lived ever since and
raised her children, three of whom are now
alive, and are well-known and valuable
members of the community. Several times
Mrs. Morgan heard rumors of her husbands
whereabouts in the far West, but investigs,.
tlon always proved fruitless.
News of His Fathers Death. :,
In May last Fireman Thomas H. Morgan
was surprised to receive a letter from
Seattle lawyer asking him if his father was
ailVe, and if so, if he knew of his where
abouts The letter further stated that Harry
Morgan, wholesale grocer in that city, had
did a month before leaving fortune ysri-
ously estimated at from $3.50, 900 to $500, 900.
A lady who said she was the widow of the
deceased claimed the estate, but the attorney
was not quite satisfied, and for that reason
was making some inquiries.
A correspondence ensued in which the
sou gave the history of his fathers disap-
pearance. and description of his personal
appearance, his manners and habits. A
photograph of the dead man was sent from
Seattle to Mrs. Morgan, and she, notwith.
standing the lapse of years, recognized in
the deceased her long-lost husband and the
father of her children. Ebenezer Harrison
Morgan. 1t was then determined that Mrs.
Morgan and her son should go to Seattle
that they might push their claim to the
estate.
He Resembled His Father.
When Mrs. Morgan and Thomas reached
Seattle they sought an interview with the
woman who claimed to be the widow of the
deceased wholesale grocer. When the two
the young man. Finally she said: 1t is
too bad. There is no doubt that you" turn
ing to Thomas, "are the son of Mr.. Morgan.
The resemblance is most striking"
The Seattle widow still insisted that she
was married to Mr.. Morgan. but WAS unabls
to produce any documentary evidence to
that effect. She is not poor woman, as
she owns block containing a theater,
gambling room and stores, bringing in an
income of $500 month
1t was not long until Mr.. Thomas and his
mother lproved their legal connection with |
the dead man, and less than six months will |
receive possession OF the estate. Under the |
laws of the State of Washington,
Mr.. Morgan having left no will, Mrs. Nor |
gan will receive one-half the fortune, the |
balance being divided equally between her
three children.