Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-27
OF A MISER
MONTANA HEIREss HAS BEEN FOUND
FOR $4,000.
Rueben Bennett Dies on an Iowa
Farm and n Daughter In
Helena VIII Inherit
His Wealth.

Helena (Mont) Correspondence Chicago Daily News.
The story Of a noted miser. who
for more than twenty years has lived
in the greatest seclusion within two
miles of Webster City. Ia, and who
was recently found dead in his bed.
has a romantic sequel in the discovery Of
an unknown daughter in Helena who will
be the sole heir of the old mans hoarded
wealth.
For nearly twenty years Reuben Bennett.
formerly of Portsmouth, o.. lived alone
upon one of the finest farms in Hamilton
county, Ia. About two months ago the
manager Of the poor farm near by Oh
served that there were no signs of life
about the small howell in which Bennett
lived. Going over to investigate he found
the old man dead in his bed. death having
resulted from natural causes. Ten re-
~lations, more or less distantly connected.
Immediately undertook to secure a division
of the old mans property. but they had
scarcely begun proceedings when they
were disagreeably surprised by the appeal
ance of Mrs. Ruby j.. Britt of Helena,
Mont, who filed a petition to the effect
that she was the illegimate %aushser OF
such the only heir entitled to the entire
estate. With the petition she also filed
documents giving indisputable proof of the
validity of her claim.
Mrs. Britt Sure of Her Claims.
Her appearance was not so great a sur
prise to the would-be heirs as It might
have been. as they were aware of the ex-
istence of such a daughter. Bennett him.
self had openly acknowledged her as his
child and had signified his intentions that
she should one day have his property.
But for a number of years they had known
nothing of her whereabouts. and. there
fore, made no mention of her existence.
hoping she might remain in ignorance OF
her fathers death and assert no claim to
the property.
Mrs. Britt had heard nothing from her
father for several years and only recently
learned Of his death. but she took immedi-
on the ground, ready to fight. the case il
necessary, She can furnish such positive
proof of the validity of her claim that,
even should the relatives contest it. her
lawyers say that she must eventually win.
Mrs. Britt has numerous letters from her
father acknowledging her as his laughter
and many. years ago, while a resident OF
Portsmouth, o., he sent for her 10 visit
him. paying her travelling expenses. treat
ing her in every way as his child and tell
ing her at that time that his property
should be hers at his death.
P~eculiarities of the Father.
After his removal to Hamilton county,
Ia. the old man accumulated considerable
property. His many eccentricities rendered
him quite a noted character. He owned a
the county-but he lived entirely alone.
even the help which he was obliged to hire
q part Of the year living at neighborinS
farms. The farm was well stocked and
equipped with good, substant al buildings,
with the exception of the house in which
he himself lived. This was a veritabie
howell.
Through a recluse and accustomed to live
very frugally himself. Bennett was not
misery in the ordinary sense of the word.
as the stock on his farm was not only well
fed and housed but he kept large numbers
of horses and cattle for which he had little
or no use, being bitterly opposed to selling
anything from the place. His property 10
estimated at $4,000. The heir to this prop
erty is the wife of John Britt. the owner Of
a large livery stable in Helena.