The San Francisco call., 1896-02-29
HE LIVED ON
BREAD AND TEA,
Now Search Is Being Made
for Heirs to His
Fortune.
RAE WAS A MISER,
It Was Thought That He Died
IN Poverty at Fabiola
Hospital.
DISCOVERY OF HIS ESTATE.
II Was Left to Sisters in England, of
Whom All Trace Has Been
Lost.
DISCOVERY OF HIS ESTATE.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANc1sco CALI,l

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,l
9OS Broadway, Feb. %.
When Henry Rae was living in a dingy
little cottage near the marsh and subsist-
ing on tea and bread he was an object of
pity and charity. After his death it was
discovered that he owned over a thousand
dollars in bank and also a valuable ranch
IN Fresno County.
Attorney H. D. Talcott of this city is
making dIlgent search throughout Great
Britain for his relatives. Henry Rae was
pioneer Californian, who died here several
months ago, leaving quite an estate. The
deceased wiiled his property all to "My
sisters Margaret and Elizabeth"
Rae was a character in West Oakland for
many years. He came from Newcastle
on-Tyne in the days of the gold ex-
element and went to the mountains to
seek his fortune, but it always failed to
smile upon him. When the Central Pa
cifc was constructed Rae secured posi-
tion as a locomotive engineer, which he
held for many years. Owing 10 his age he
was transferred TO Oakland and given an
easy berth several years age. He worked
about the yards in old dirty clothes and
never missed day until his last illness.
He resided in a cottage by himself and
lived on bread and tea No one ever
thought he had anything laid by ana he
received only a small amount from the
railroad for his work. 10 all who wan ted
him 10 give up labor and rest during his
last days he pleaded poverty and the ne
cessity OF laboring to keep from starving
lie was finally taken Ill and removed to the
tablola Hospital by the railroad.
After his death a search was made
amcng his effects TO locate some relative
TO notify. 1t was at this time that it was
discovered that lie had $1,000 in a local
bank, ten acres of vineyard in bearing
down IN Fresno County and lots in Te-
hama. will was also found, which gave
all this to his two sisters, but there was
nothing to show where they resided or
whether they were married or single.
The will was filed for probate and three
appraisers appointed to view the property
and report its value. Meanwhile Attor-
ney Ialcott vas retained by a friend of the
old man to look after the estate. He wrote
10 the Mayor OF Newcastle making inquiry
for the mans relatives, giving the name of
the old family home near by. He has re-
ceived a reply that the sisters could not
be found and the family were not even re-
mem bered by the oldest residents. He
gave the further information that the old
family home had been destroyed years ago
and greater part OF the property was now
4 public park.
Further inquiry has been made, how
ever, for the sisters Margaret and Eliza
beth" and the attorney believes that he
will vet find them. He is hindered in his
search, however, by not knowing whether
they are married or single. 1T is one of
the most remarkable cases" said he, that
l have handled. Here was finely edu-
Gated man who has been living hermit's
life, and living on bread and tea. He had
plenty, but would not use it. Taken sick
the company naturally sent him TO the
hospital 1t must have been picnic for
him to be so well fed, clothed and cared
for by those about him. He must have
enjoyed his last days to their fullest extent.
he did not last long, however, and now we
are having a great hunt for his relatives,
so they can have his property.
He never talked about his family or
boyhocd homes and it was not until his
death that any one knew from what part
of the empire he came. He had probably
never heard from the family since leaving
them when quite a young man. If we fail
10 find the sisters the estate will revert to
the State after certain length of time"