The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-12-17
Threw Away $4,000 to Avoid Suit.

Benjamin W. Gist of Falls City,
Neb., threw away $4,000 at St.
Joseph Mo-, in seven days. He is
not drinking man, and is declared to
be in his right mind. Young Gst is
2l years old, and fell heir to the mon
ey he threw away a short. time ago,
through the death Of some relatives.
The bulk Of it was left to him at the
death Of an uncle, whose favorite be
was. When the uncle died Gist was
not Of age, and another uncle was ap-
pointed guardian for him. His guar
dian said the money should have been
divided between the nephcws and
nieccs of the dead man, and there
was talk Of bringing suit to break the
will. The suit was not filed, how
ever, and when Gist became of age
there was nothing to do but deliver the
legacy over to him.
For several weeks the money re-
maincd in the banks untouched, and
Xoung Gist says he was thinking all
the time of dividing it among his re-
latives, or, at least, of giving them
share Of it. He owns farm and con-
siderable other property in addition to
the legacy. The relatives of the
young man kept clamoring for divi-
sion Of the $4,000, and quarreled
among themselves as TO how it should
be divided. They were - willing
to allow Gist to apportion it as he
pleased.
Il will see my aunt about it," said
the young man. "She will advise me,
and will take her advice"
The aunt lives in Atchison County,
Missouri. She thought her own chill
dren should have the most of the mon
ey. Then Gist went to see an uncle,
who said he would rather see the mon
ey given to the poor than given to
one member Of the family. He thoug It
his brother should have divided it
among the brothers and sisters, in
stead of giving the entire sum to one
nephew.
Young Gist returned home and Sc
cured draft for the $4,000, which
he deposited in one Of the banks in
this city. His relatives knew nothing
about it. The next day he hired q
carriage, drove to the bank, di wv q
check for IS 900 and asked the cash
ier to give it to him in gold.
II shall draw out my entire deposit
during the next few days." he said,
"and want all of it in gold.'
With the sacks of money in the car.
riage beside him, Gist went into the
district where the poor live and dis.
tributed $50 gold pieces among them,
To give himself courage he took sew
eral drinks, but at no time during the
seven days he was sowing gold pieces
did he become intoxicated. When be
met school children in the street be
gave them gold pieces. Old men and
women pro6ted by his liberality anc
were made comfortable for many
months to come by his gifts.
Gist gave away SIS, 900 the first after
noon and followed it up the next da,
by giving away q larger sum. He be
came reckless at times, and ordering
the driver TO stop where he found
crowd assembled on the street, sowee
the gold pieces broadcast. He CAV,
money alike to the deserving and tn
undeserving, to "the just and th,
unjust" as he expressed it. His on
idea was to get rid Of the $4,000 an,
place it wh.re it could not be collect
ed again. Re succeeded in giving i
[ all away. It is said that he paid $40,
for box of cigars and S5 for ever
: drink that was taken at his expense
When he had his shoes shined h