Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-10-04
OLD MANS LOVE.
He Gave His Entire Property to His
Promised Wife

Miss Mary Amelia Holden of S5s
Folsom street has almost secured
Windfall Of $4,000 through the act OF
an old man who fell IN love with her,
Willed her his property and then died.
James BOWeS, one of the oldest book
sellers OF this city, was the man to
whom love came just before death
overlook him, but then BOWleS was
always peculiar.
About eight years ago he took
room at Mrs. John Holders lodging
house. He gave Miss Mary Holden a
position as SaleSWOman and book
keeper in his store. BOWles formed Il
great attachment for the girl, and in
the middle of May last proposed mar
riage to her Miss Holden was bui 10
and BOWleS IS. BOWleS' suit was not
displeasing to the young girl, and she
referred him to her parents, who con-
scented to the match.
A few days after tue proposal
Bowles told Miss Holden that under
the circumstances she need not keep q
complicated set of books The mere ac-
count of sales would be sufficient and
she could help herself to the proceeds
of the business. 1t was but very few
days later that BOwles felt the pre-
monitory symptoms Of the troubles
which caused his death. He decided
to go to PasO Robes, not knowing the
nature of his disease. Before depart
ing he informed Miss Holden that he
did not think he could live long. He
impaired the information that she was
to be his heir. He gave her his bank
books and the keys Of his store, saying:
'"Take this, it is yours. [ may need 4
little of it before [ die, but if [ do I
know that you, whom I have known so
long, will take care of me- [ want you
to run the business. Do not be extra,
VACANT, but keep the store going, and
it will bring you a good income"
He then went to PasO Robes Springs,
but returned to very sick man. He
consulted a physician, who informed
him that he had a cancer Of the bowels
and gave him hope of but a few weeks
Of life. He advised that Bowles go to
the German hospital. BoWleS informed
his affianced wife Of the news and
went to the hospital, where the last
days of one Of San Franciscos most
noted old booksellers were made rs
pleasant as possible. When in the
shadow of death BOwles reiterated the
gift of all his worldly possessions to
Miss Holden in the presence of wit
nesses. On July 20 he died, and the
public administrator has commenced
to administer on the estate. Miss HOl-
den gave up the bank books and keys
Of the store. and in accordance with
legal fOrmalities she has brought suit
for the money in bank. Thus the little
romance of BOwleS' last days has been
brought to light. The suits are AMIGA
Die ones to give the banks legal 6u
-hOrity to turn the money over to Miss
Holden.
The German Savings and Loan So
;iety is sued for $2.432.O3. and the
humboldt Savings and Loan society
or $2,S82.22 and the San Francisco
Savings Union for $40, 624.07. Bowles'
entire estate, which consists of this
money and the book store, is valued at
10000 1t is not known that Bowles
lad any heirs. but Miss Holden claims
hat all the property was given to her
,efore his death, so that the heirs, If
my, would be shut out. Bowles made
request of his fiancee that she pay
few legacies according to his wishes.
7hese Will cut a small figure, and
-frtually the whole of the estate will
all 70 Miss Holden.-San Francisco
chronicle.