The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-17
The Immense Fortune That Came
to Bernard Wittmer, Stenog-
rapher and Typewriter.
He Was @ Poor Young Man With
a Largo Drop OF Wild
Oats.
But in Due Time He Inherited tho Pa
ternnl Castle With Certain Re,tric-
ttons and Conditions.

NEW YORK. June 1G.-Bernnrd Wittmer,
jr., was employed for five years by New
York business firm az typewriter Mt a sal
ary of $15 week. One morning last Feb
ruary he awoke to find himself heir to a
fortune of $40 900 and u gront castle in
Germany containing no less than $50 rooms.
He went to Germany, established his iden-
tity and his claim, and last month came all
tho way back to New York for the purpose
OF resigning honorably SIS week posi-
ton. He has now returned to Germany
and with his wife and two children has
taken up his residence in his castle.
There are qualifications to this remark
able change of fortune which contribute
much to the romance OF it all, Something
over forty years ago Bernard Wittmer, Sr.,
father of the heir, came to America and in
vested his small fortune in cotton, having
made his home In the south. When the
war broke out Mr.. Wittmer owned large
amount of cotton. The sale made him rich.
He returned to Germany to enjoy himself.
While in Bremen he met a young woman
to whom he became appar-
emily devotedly attached, but whom
he refused to marry, even after
son was born to them. Then he became
weary of her, and when the war ended he
deserted her and her child and came back
to America. The young woman followed
him, pleaded that he make her his wife, but
he declined to hold any relations with her.
She earned her own living and was looked
upon as an exceedingly respectable widow.
Her conduct was beyond reproach and she
married a Brooklyn man. She died three
years ago. Her son was earning his living
and was raising 4 family of his own. Ber-
nard Wittmer, ST., also married, but
his wife died soon after his marriage.
Twelve years ago again he went to
Germany, where his great wealth made him
prominent among those who had known
him during hisstru ggles in his youth. He
purchased an estate Of eighty acres on the
outskirts of Bremen. On this estate he
erected great castle of remarkable archi-
tectural beauty. The structure contained
$50 rooms and it WAS furnished in excellent
taste. After all this had been done, Mr..
Wittmer determined to have his son with
him and sent to America for him. The
Bernard was received by his father with
much cordiality. The boy was put in
legal possession of his father name
which he already bore and was started in
business by his father in Bremen. Young
Bernard was inclined to be FAST and soon
ruined his business prospects by spending
his capital at rate that frightened the old
gentleman, and in dismay the father sent
him back to America to shift for himself.
With the money his father had given to
him on his departure young Bernard studied
stenography and typewriting. He married
here. One day in February, Wittmer re-
ceived a letter from Germany which
announced his fathers death and con-
tanned transcript of his will. He OBJ
tanned leave of absence and went to Ger
many. by theterms of Wittmer, Sr.'s will
the entire property is to be held in trust
Young Wittmer is to live in the castle and
is to be regarded rs head of the estate. The
trustees are directed to provide for the
maintenance of the establishment in proper
style. The servants, the horses and car
riaRes. furniture, and even the table with
its plate and food are to be furnished BY
the trustees. Bernard may ask for any
tees handling the money. For his own
use Bernard will have 5000 marks year
until his eldest child is twenty one years of
age, when the child will become the head
of the house and Bernard will retire on
pension. The oldest child at his majority
tate, which at that time it is estimated will
be worth about SIC. 0oO, 900, owing to the re-
strictions placed by the will ON the distri-
button Of the income. There ls a clause
in the will which provides that if Bernard
should refufe to live on the estate he will
be cut of with an annual pittance of $50
masks and the estate would In that event
he held in trust for his children until the
mejority of the Oldest child. Young Witt
mer has made the best of the situation by
accedinQ to the terms of the will. and is
now at home in his castle. His personal in
come of 5000 marks is n pittance and he is
still practically poor man in an abode of
luxury. Had he not foolishly spent that
So, 600 he would have tho whole fortune now
and the jump from n type-writing ma
chine to a castle would have seemed bigger,
but it's pretty good jump at that.