The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-06
WEALTH A MYTH.
Ancient Pirate Fighter Disappoints
Surviving Relatives.

| New York, Sept. 6.-The much talked
of wealth Of William H. Ferris, the an
cient pirate fighter who died at Mount
| Vernon from old age, has proved to be
a myth. His benef1ciaries saw visions
of millions of dollars of gold coins and
| government bonds when the old man
died, but when Joseph S. Clark, the ex-
ecutor of the will, announced yesterday
| that the much sought for wealth had
been found by him, and that it amount
ed to only about $4,000, they were
greatly surprised.
The heirs of old Mr.. Ferris dug up the
cellar of the Ferris homestead in South
Fourth avenue Mount Vernon, examined
the chimney and the attic with the hope
of finding hoard but the search was
fruitless.
Mr.. Clark, who is president of the
Eastchester Savings bank of Mount
Vernon, said yesterday that two hours
before Mr.. Ferris death the old man
conhded to him the hiding place of all
papers pertaining to his property. Mr.
Clark found a square wooden box in a
secret drawer of an old secretary near
Mr.. Ferris bed. In that drawer he
had kept all his valuables for more
than 60 years. and no one knew Of the
secret compartment except the owner.
He didn't even tell his own children of
the hiding place of his securities.
In this box were found six mortgages
covering property in Mount Vernon
worth about $4,000, and a deed of the
AACl1ACot CelA Ne1IQEQ dl S4tuUU 4lG 1GAd-
tives of Mr.. Ferris continue to cling to
the belief that he owned government
bonds and railroad stocks and that
these securities are hidden away.
The story that Mr.. Ferris was worth
half a million dollars, and the belief
that he buried his hoard in rain pipe
and beneath haystack,'' said Mr..
Clark, is a dream, l am afraid. Two
hours before his death he sent for me,
and told me where the will and securi-
ties were He told me that the wooden
box contained all of this worlds goods
that he possessed. If he ever owned
government bonds he probably sold
them when they reached the highest
value. I am afraid the vision of pots
of gold coin and bank notes will never
become a reality. The value of the es-
tate I am appointed executor over does
not amount to more than $16, 0OO''
James Bisland, sOn-in-laW of Mr.. Fer
ris. is coming to this city today to
search the records in the county clerks
office to see whether Mr.. Ferris owned
an interest in one OF the big buildings
in Hanover square which he often Wis
tied.
During Mr.. Ferris career as a slave
dealer and pirate hunter" said Mr.. Bis
land, che must have accumulated a for
tune of more than 100000 under
stand that he invested some of his mon
ey in Hanover square property, but
where the deed is cannot under
stand"
The heirs say they fear Mr.. Ferris did
not tell Mr. Clark the whereabouts Of
all his property. In answer, Mr.. Clark
says that while they We're applying re
storatives to Mr.. Ferris nose a few
minutes before he died he asked him
this question:
Have you told me where all your
property is?" The dying man attempt
ed to raise his head from the pillow, as
though he had something important to
say, while he pointed his fOrefinger in
the direction of the ground. Those in
the room leaned forward to catch the
words, but the old man Strengthened out
and was dead in few minutes.