Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-09-17

wealthy.
WASHINGTON, D. c., September TO-
The Chesapeake aud Ohio canal has
developed story teeming with roman
tic interest. The children of the first
wife of man who, for the past eight
cen months has been lock tender In
Georgetown, with a salary OF $50 a
month, and who has always had slender
means, are said to be heirs to an estate
worth at conservative estimate $780,
600. The story as told TO reporter
this morning by the father of the chill
dren, George w. Seaman, by the ex-
manager of the canal, who has been
made acquainted with il through au-
thentic sources, and indirectly by the
attorney who has been placed in charge
OF the affairs, is as follows:
There lived in Hancock, Maryland,
for some years previous TO 1852, a man
by the name Of John McCaffrey. He
had two boats oE the canal, engaged in
the grain trade. He was ignorant, but
shrewd. Through his canal trade hs
managed to exc out an existence.
Shortly before 1852 his first wife died,
leaving several children. He married
again. This wife, the story says, was
burned to death. For the third time
he married, This wife, IL is said, was
possessed of some little money. One
day McCsffrey borrowed enough to buy
his two boats full OF grain, and left for
Georgetown. The boats a few DAYS
later were found abandoned and Nc
Caffrey goLe. After the wife had
waited a reasonable time for his return
she seemed to realize that she had
been deserted, aud finally dropped the
name OF McCaffrey, assuming that OF
Graham, her maiden name, which her
daughter also adopted. Soon the chill
dren of the runaway husband became
scattered. 1t was not long before the
last wife died. Her daughter Mary, who
seems to have been girl above her
stepsisters In education, etc, was taken
In by family named Creighton, who
had become acquainted with her. There
she lived until she had grown TO nearly
womanhood.
The other children went far and
wide. Sarah, the eldest OF them all,
married George Seaman, q canal boat
man. All of them, as yet, have not
been located. but it is said that they
occupy positions Of wide social diver
sity.
After fortY-two years there comes
from Chicago, through prominent law
firm, the intelligence that John McCaf
frey, formerly OF Hancock, Md, who
left there in 1852, has recently died, and
left to his two daughters and their heirs
his entire estate, valued at about $780,
600. In the event OF his children not
being found within five years, the entire
estate is TO go TO Chicago charity.
McCaffre7, according 10 Mr.. Crafts, a
representative OF the firm now looking
up the heirs, made his money in grain
speculation. At one time he was worth
over million dollars. He died at the
age OF eighty-seven. The $780, 900 is
invested in railroad and bank stock.
The Seaman home was visited this
morning by the reporter. II is miser-
able shanty on the north bank OF the
canal between Thlrtieth and Thirty
first streets Poverty is apparent
everywhere. The children are typical
daughters of the canal. They referred
the reporter to their father. He was
found at his lock, near Twenty-ninth
street. He talked sensiblY OF his re-
ported good fortune. The matter is now
In the hands OF lawyers.
All the canal boatmen have caught on
to the story, and are talking OF Sea-
mans windfall with gasps and popping
eyes They have, however, swelled the
$500, 900 to $50, 900, 600. Seaman is TO
them now an object Of great respect.
Lawyer Crafts mas Just left for Han
cock, where be hopes TO tiud out mucn
about the family.
Ellen Graham Is now Mrs. Rice, the
wife of NJ. 2. Rice OF this city. Pre-
vIous to McCaffrsy's marriage with Mrs.
Rice's mother he is said TO have been
married and to have had two children.
This has not been proved. Five chill
! dren were the results Of his second mar
| riage, and the second wife was burned
to death by an explosion OF coal oil.
His children by his second wife,
Mary, Susan, Sarah, Margaret and Will
liam. were taken to Hancock and
placed In charge Of his third vile.
| Nancy Canoe. Sne was unable 10 pro-
vide for them and they were distributed
| among the homes In the county round
! about. Mary was reared bY John
| Coudy, OF Baltimore. Sarah is buried
at Hancock, Nd, but her husband and
wo children, John aud Annie. are said
10 be residents Of GEORGETOWN. Mar
garet is matron Of Bellevue Asylum at
| Hsgerstown. The whereabouts Of Will
| liam and Mary is not known.
Although McCafrey died az Chicago
| In June last, the testator ordered that
no money should be paid out OF the es-
tate TO heirs for five years, and during
that period the search for them was TO
be continued, or until they are ac-
counted for. McCaffrey married at
Chicago and left considerable money
to his wife and an eleven-Year-old son.
1t is said, though. that the will leaves
the bulk OF his estate 10 his first chill
dren. Mr.. Rice has written to Chicago
for a copy Of the will.