Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-06
MARKS ON WATCH
! MAY IDENTIFY
DEAD MAN
EXECUTOR OF ESTATE OF cHAs.
HILL OF LOS ANGELES,
USES UNIQUE METHOD
TO FIND HIS HEIRS.

The positive identity of the famous
Charles Hill, an aged man who died in
California a short time ago, leaving $142,-
600 cash, may be made known to the world
by means of repair marks on his watch.
Silvers & Woods. manufacturing jewell
ers in Atlanta, have received from The
jewelers. Circular, a weekly publication,
a circular now being sent broadcast over
the country by Leon F. Moss, attorney
for the public administrator in Los An
geles county, California, describing GER
tain repair marks on the watch of Charles
Hill, and asking If any of the marks were
made by them. In this way it is hoped TO
find the jeweler who repaired the watch
and ultimately to ascertain the real name
of the man.
Hill, it will be remembered. died in Los
Angeles, a short time ago, leaving an es-
tate of $500 cash, but no will. His heirs
could not be found and ii is thought that
he was living under an assumed name,
circumstances pointing to this as posi-
tive fact. Since his death thousands OF
claimants have asserted that they are his
heirs and have Identified him as bIndred
different men.
Investigation has been carried on sys-
tematically by the officials in California,
but they are baffied as to the identity of
the man, though they are of the opinion
that he was really Salem Charles, for
merly of Brimfield, Mass. IL he was real
~ Salem Charles, he formerly lived in
New York city and spent his summers
at Saratoga Springs, where he frequently
had his watch repaired though the Off
cials have never been able to learn by
whom it was repaired
The man left no papers by which he
could be positively identified, and the Off
cials. to wind up the estate. have taken the
repair marks on his watch as last re-
sort of identifying the man.
There are several claimants to the es-
tate who are residents of Georgia.
HILL, or Charles. or whatever his name
really was was an aged man, with a long
white beard and white hair. and lived in
California under the name OF Charles
Hill
.nhe watch Is Waltham gilt movement,
No. 690751. Waltham case, Is 8. Huntings
case No KK23 fsmall 8. engraved over
KK2s), Crescent St.. Silver.
On the inside of the case the following
repair memoranda have been found, and 1t
is by these that the officials hope to iden-
tify the man:
665; Rs-S9; 211:ss: 1904 (underscored); 391s
(underlined); n170 A. D.; X65 256 (small H
engraved under % Sg52; 1872 UNDERSIGNED
and small W engraved under undersigned
line)s 10211W with small N engraved over
W).
The last number is scratched on the in
side of the inside cap, while all the other
numbers are on the inside Of the outside
case.
From facts in the possession Of the Off
cials il appears that the watch was re-
paired in October. 1892, probably at San
Diego, Elsinore or Los Angeles, Califor-
MIA in February. 1896, probably at Los
Angeles; In June 1899, probably at San
Antonio, Texas; in October, 1900. probably
at Tucson. Arizona, or Los Angeles, Cali
fornia The repairs made prior to 1899,
were made IN the east, and IT is more than
probable that the man gave his right
name TO the jeweler when the watch was
repaired If SO. and the jeweler who made
the repairs can be found. 1t is hoped by the
officials who have charge of the dead
mans estate that it will be able to clear
up the mystery surrounding his identity,
and be able to give the estate to the right
full heirs.
The circular, which is being sent all
over the country to jewelers., is signed by
Leon f. Moss, attorney for the public ad-
ministrator of Los Angeles county, Cal
ifornia, and he asks that jewellers examine
their books and ascertain If they know the
marks A photograph of the dead man as
he appeared in life is attached to the cir
cular.