The evening times., 1896-04-23
HERMIT RILtT'S WEALTH
Discovery of a Relative of the
Late Eccentric Old Man.
LIFE FULL OF ROMANCE
The Deceased Once Owned Property
That Is Now Worth MilliOns-He
Came East with Many Thousa nds In
Cash-PrOspcrity Soon -FOrsOOk Him
and He Was Left in Want.

The remains of John Riley, the aged man
| who was known as the South Washington
| hermit, were disnIerred at Mount oIvet
! Cemetery today, ana tnis afternoon VIII lie
taken TO ST. Louis Tor InIerEent. The son
| in-law OF the deceased, Mr.. Charles s.
| Han, reached this city yesterday, ana will
accompany the body to It's last resting
place.
From Mr.. Han the Fourth precinct police
learned OF Hermit Riley's remarkable his
tory. 1t Will he remembered that he was
found sick and almost destitute in the
noisome basement OF the deserted old
Colonial manor, corner or Thirteenth
street and Maryland avenue southwest,
near the Long Bridge, and from there was
sent 10y Policeman flanagan TO the Wash
ington Asylum Hospital. where he soon died.
The whereabouts of The Old mans friends
were unknown, and it was only through the
persistent efforts OF Sanitary Ofricer Frank
and others that his son n-in-law was located
and notified of Riley's death.
ALMOST Il MILIOyAIRE.
ITO think OF it sad Mr.. Hall tn Po-
liceman Adam Stenhouse. 'only few short
years ago the old gentleman was almost a
millionaire in the West. and that he should
end his days in a JOorhouse hospital, in
the midst of strangers
The flood tide of the old mans fortune
rolled in not many years ago-then came
thcebb in his advanced age. The property
he owned at that time is ROW estimated TO
be worth between 81 200, 900 and Ss, ,0OO,-
900. IT was principally IN mining stocks
and claims. In The laHguage OF the West
Il NH. Infr c.
Louis several years ago he had upwards
of $500 900 in cash.
He gave much money away in charities
and his son-in'law says he practically
built St. Patrick's Church in st. Louis,
which now rears its head skyward as a
monument to his philanthropy. The bell
in the high spire of st. Patrick's s was taken
by Riley from one of the big Mississippi
steamers he owned and given 10 the church.
on its braZen sides is inscribed the simple
name. John Riley
ESCAPED POTTER'S FIELD.
The output of the geld mines he once own
ed is now making a number OF men rich.
They little dreamed. the police say. how
near the once prosperous man came to end
ing his eventful career in 4 narrow grave
almshouse infirmary. he would no doubt
have found his way into the paupcrs ceme-
terry had it not been for the efforts of Mr..
Simmons. an employe CT the Pennsylvania
Railroad, who was warm personal friend
OF Riley during his life as a reClusc in the
old mansion. Simmons called on Rev.
Father Sullivan. of ST. Peters Church, Capt.
tol Hill and a resting place was provided
for him at Mount Olivet.
One of the sons of deceased is a ser
geant on the st. Louis police force. The
old gentleman, before leaving that city
and coming to Washington TO press his
claim for S95. 900 before Congress. bought
a picturesque lot in the Catholic cemetery,
on the outskirts OF st. Louis. There his
wife is lying under a tall and costly
marble monument. erected by Riley in the
days of his prosperity. His grave will be
dug beside that of Mrs. Riley, and together
they will sleep.
Mr.. Hall. the son In law, has taken posses
sion of the old mans papers, found in the |
-rimy basement. his last abode in life. |
They show that Riley saved millions of |
property TO the government when he was |
known as Gen. Grants floating commits |
sary and quariermaster during the war, |
and carried him supplies and troops down
the Mississippi.