The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-01
READS LIKE ROMANCE.
An Attorneys Successful Search for a
Missing Heir.
SAN Francisco Chronicle.

san FRANCISCO Chronicle.
THE Story of an Old Bank Depositv is
the 81 of an sIashs Of the
Superior Court II was prepared by attor-
ney Oscar T. Shuck to show the results OF
his starch for the, heirs OF ALEXANDER
Smith The attorneys report shows how
he has succeeded In unravelng a puzzling
mystery and in bringing to light an heir
to moneys which have rested in the vaults
of the Savings and Loan Society Tor nearly
a quarter of century.
The published reports of unclaimed bank
deposits in 1893 showed TO the credit OF
Society sl7.752 Attorney Shuck finally, in
August 1894 took the matter in hand. At
the outset of his investigation attorney
Shuck had very little to work upon, the
only information disclosed by the published
tank report touching Alexander Smith was
that when he made the deposit In 1867 ne
resided at No. 2s2 stevenson street. In TINS nj
Years from 1850 to 1894, but the only Alex
ander Smith who resided at NO. zS3 Ste
venson street appeared In the directory
for 1862, and in no other. His occupation or
calling was not stated. .
Attorney Shuck's first conclusion from all
the facts was that Smith mus De uead. g
then gave himself up TO an examination OF
the newspaper files in a search for "acci-
dents by flood or. fife." -
The melancholy story of the destruction
Of the PACIFIC Nail steamship Goiae sun Ga,e
afternoon. july e., 1892, came before his
ewes. The names of all the passengers
peared but among the names of steerage
passengers were: "a. Smith, Wife. wifes
sister and four chilarept
An ACCOUNT in the Bulletin showed that
A Smith. for the sake Of economy, sought
to have the eldest daughter. Jane, travel
as an attendant TO some lady. Jane was
employed by lady VINO, nowev s.o, Vas
and it was finally agreed that she should
wait and so on the. steamer Uncle sam.
The rest Of the family sailed on the Gold
Inquiry at the newspaper office failed to
reveal any further information. Most of
the men who had geen on she nns paper ape,
adopted other means TO determine what
was the first name of the drowned man,
A. Smith, and where he resided In this
city,
Old papers were examined and letters
written to all parts of the state, where
Alexander Smith might, nave acquired
property. All efforts Failed, but still Shuck
was persistent. One afternoon, while in
the law library pursuing mis- examination
of old newspapers. the words. He offered
the account of the shipTreck. challenged
his attention as they had never done be-
fore. The thought at once came, L Won
der IL he didn't advertise.
Looking carefully oyer the advertising
columns. Mr.. Shuck discovered an adver-
tisement in the Bulletin of July 16. 1862. as
follows: DttH..
WANTED-By a young girl a situation
to attend on a family going East by the
next steamer. Inquire at 23c Stevenson
street, between Third and Fourth.
mo name was mentioned, adds attorney
Shuck but 233 stevenson street was the
residence of Alexander Smith, the deposit
tor, and, as already shown, "A. Smith, when
he departed on the Golden Gate, had offered
his eldest daughter, Jane. as nurse to
follow on the next steamer. The patient
search and vigil long had now ended. The
nail was driven in sure place, and there
was no loop to hang doubt on. "
Attorney Shuck next. published an adver-
tisement for information concerning Jane
Smith. stating all the facts of her family
history then known. Following this adver-
tisement a long story appeared in the
Chronicle entitled Hunting for an Heir"
"A Small Fortune Awaiting Jane smith,.
ETC. II was in Christmas week of last year
that the long labors of Mr.. .Shuck bore sub
stantial fruit From Mr.. Germany, OF the
bank, came a statement that he thought
Jane Smith had been found. Shuck says
that he wrote TO Mr.. Germany and asked
for the lady's address. He wished 10 COM
municate with her. he sad, in order that
some other attorney might not reap the
fruit OF his labors. In reply Nr. Germany
wrote requesting Shuck TO call on the
banks attorney, A. -. Drown. Before Mr..
Shuck was able to comply with the request
Jane NJ Harvey, through A. y. Drown, her
attorney, filed a petition for letters OF al
ministration in the estate of Alexander
Smith. wherein she appeared as daughter
and sole heir of the deceased.
The case is now being considered by
Judge Slack.