The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-05
THE LUCK OF A DESERTER
[From the chicago Record.l

From the Chicago Record.
Along in the sos a Scotch sailor named
Penny deserted from a man-of-war on the
west coast of South America and found
his way to the interior of Bolivia, where
he worked as a miner and did odd jobs
for a living. In the course or time he
took up with an Indian woman, and after
she had nursed him through long and
his Gratitude. She reciprocated his conf
dence and affection by leading him to an
ancient mine, which had been abandoned
and partially filled at the time of the
ing into the hands of the Spaniards. With
the aid Of his wife and a fellow cOun-
out the rubbish and struck a vein of
silver that made him a millionaire. The
mine is still operated and is one of the
most profitable in South America.
After having developed the property and
organized his affairs with Mackenzie as
his superintendent some years later PEN
ny returned to Scotland and purchased
the estate near Aberdeen upon Wn1ch ms
parents had lived as laborers. His In
dian wife could neither read nor write,
and could not speak or understand a
word of English, but was habitual!y ar
rayed in silks and satins, and wore jewels
that were the wonder of all the country
monte Cristo," and the fame of his phi
lanthropy will never be forgotten by the
of Mackenzie to Scotland to be educated
and sent him to the best schools. He also
adopted a nephew of the name of Craig.
the son of a village parson Giving near
Aberdeen. Penny insisted that both should
adopt his name, and, as he had nc. chill
promised to make them his heirs.
When he died suddenly he left a will
bequea thing his mine and his millions to
his wife and commencing to her care and
generosity his two adopted sons, Craig
and Mackenzie Penny.
Shortly after Craig Penny started for
Bolivia with the widow, leaving Macken-
zie, who was then about IS years old. in
school. During the voyage, by some
means, Craig induced Mrs. Penny to mar
ry him, and when they arrived at OrurO
he produced a marriage certificates took
charge of the property and dismissed the
faithful Mackenzie, who had been sole
manager of the mine for many Years.
Then Mrs. Penny died under mysterious
tempted to keep away doctors and priests,
the old lady, through a servant, managed
to send word to friends that she needed
protection, and before her death declared
was hushed with money, and Penny lived
like a lord the profits of the mine, of
which he claimed to be the sole owner;
but after a time young Mackenzie learned
ed for Oruro to protect his rights. Being
a British subject, he placed his claims in
the hands of Thomas H. Anderson, Unit
ed States minister to Bolivia who was
latter, with the aid of DR.. Alonzo, recent
~ President of Bolivia, endeaVOred to ar
range an anicable settlement of the con-
trOversy, under which the two boys were
to have equal shares in the mine.
When Mr.. Anderson returned to the
United States at the end of his term of
office he brought young Mackenzie Pen
ny with him in order that he might COM
after time, when the boy returned to
Bolivia, President AlonzO organized a.
syndicate to buy out both the heirs for
$500, 900 each. He now controls the mines
and is paying the two heirs in INSTALL
ments, while both are drinking themselves
to death at Antofagasta-