The record-union., 1895-05-01
ANSEL WHITE.
The Heir to the New York Fortune
Died in Washington.

The Heir to the New York Fortune
Died in Washington.
TACOMA, April 30.-An Olympia spe-
a young attorney OF this city. to-day re-
ceived news that he is heir to a New York
estate OF $4,000,0O by the will of Ansel
White, Tor whom search has been in pro-
gress for many years. For many years
Ansel White resided on ranch adjoining
that of Smith Troy, father of Preston Nj.
Troy. in Clallam County. White was
bachelor, and lived in log cabin OH his
ranch for twenty years. May Is. 1888, he
died at the age OF 10 years. and was buried
En the land oniwhich be had lived so long.
White took fancy to young Troy, and
made will making him sole heir and
legaiee. Just prior to his death, however.
ne sold the ranch for nominal price, re-
tanning life interest, and at the time OF
his death was supposed to have consider
able money in his possession, yet none
was ever found. Search was made high
and low, but no trace OF money could be
discovered. Neigh5ors believe he buried
the money somewhere on the ranch.
White was extremely eccentric. He
seldom communicated with any one but
the Troy family. Before coming to
Washington, he made some money In
California. Seven hundred dollars he
handed to q woman In San francisco as
he was about to leave, telling her to Keep
IL for him till he called for 1t. lie lelt no
word in San Francisco regarding his
destination, and this fact has Tor fifteen
years baked those searching for him to
inform him of his having fallen heir to
an estate in New York.
1t was supposed that Ansel Whites
was one of those unknown bodies found
floating in San francisco harbor, yet
during the past two years w. ID. White,
son of Ansel White, has been searching
for the lost heir or tor conclusive evil
dences of his death. He was traced to
California. Advertising led to the estab-
fishing of the identity OF the old rancher
as the missing heir for which long
search had been made.
At the time of making the will there IS
little probability that the old man was
aware of the TACT that the New York es-
state was his. This, however, does not
affect the will made. 1t was executed IN
accordance with law, and the witnesses
neighbors in Port Angeles he IS gener-
ally remembered. The will is in posses
sion of Preston Troy, who has taken
steps to have the claim acknowledged.
MADE MANY WILLS.
and friends OF Ansel White, the missing
heir to al estate valued at $4,000, 900, who
died near Port Angeles in 1855, state posi-
lively that there were no less than three
wills to as many different persons. Usu-
ally for some trivial favor rendered he
would make out a will leaving his prop
erty Internationally TO his benefactor's
child. Then, if something "ens wrong,
he would change the beneficiary TO some
other person. These acknowledgements
were always taken before some author
lied officer. He was regarded as being
eccentric, and shortly before his death he
sold his farm to William WOoding for
81, ZOO, and contracted that he should re-
tain life interest in few acres, but after
his death that all property should revert
to Wooding. The latter thinks, if no
subsequent will is found, that he will lay
claim TO the deceased's Interests in New
York.