Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-26
SISTER AN HElRESS
Sister Philomena. Of Mercy Hospital,
Dee Moines, One of Five Heirs to
an Estate Valued at $15,ooo,ooo, in
Australia.

AUSTRALIA
Des Moines. Jan. 26.-Sister Philo-
mena. the Sister Superior at Mercy
Hospital. has been informed by at
torneys and influential friends who
have been at work in her behalf that
she Is one OF the heirs to an estate Of
SIS. 100000 left by her uncle who died ten
years ago in Australia. Modesty on the
part of the Sister Superior has caused
her to refrain from communicating the
knowledge OF her good fortune to more
than few OF her very intimate friends.
In the event the fortune is forthcom-
ing. 1t may mean much for Mercy
Hospital. one OF the largest charitable
institutions in the west as Sister Phil
omena's heart and soul are In the
work. and she has proved by her past
effort that no sacrifice on her part Is
too great for the benefit OF the hospital.
Sister Philomena was seen at the
hospital last evening and asked to
make statement as to the truth OF
dispatches indicating that she may
soon become the possessor Of great
wealth.
Il am very sorry that the newspapers
have heard of my efforts to establish
my rights" said the Sister Superior.
II would prefer that no mention OF the
story be made as yet. I am niece Of
John Mccormick. whom 1t is claimed
died in Australia. leaving great wealth.
have been informed that he left no
heir. and that the claim OF myself and
two brothers and two sisters in Daven-
port Is good one. have always been
poor. and am engaged in charitable
work. My heart Is in the work. but I
would not feel justified in making
statement as to what l will do with
the money II get IT,"
half century ago Miss Mary Nc
cormick accompanied a party from the
old country to America. The settlers
chose the village of Germantown, Pa,
for home. Miss Mccormick was mar
ried in few years after her arrivaltin
America tola man named Heating and
Mr.. and Mrs. Heating almost i,nme-
diately after their wedding came to
Davenport, Ia. They were among the
first settlers at Davenport. Mrs. keat-
ing left two brothers at Germantown
and the last she heard of them was the
announcement that they had sailed in
1856 for Australia The brothers were
John and Dennis Mccormick.
Mrs. Heating lost sight of her broth
ers when they went TO the far east.
Reports came indirectly to the family
that John had struck it rich in min
~ oIc;p ha IT,,
island Mrs. Heating lived and died in
Davenport. She was the mother OF
Ave children. Sarah Heating being
among the number. Sarah Heating Is
now Sister Superior at Mercy hospi-
tai. She has two brothers and two sis
tiers living at Davenport.
Twelve years ago story was pub
lished in American newspapers to the
effect that John Mccormick. rich
Australian, had died. without direct
heirs and that the relatives in Amer
lea had failed to put in claim for
their share OF the estate. The story did
not come to the attention OF the Keat-
inge. Not until eight months ago when
a Melbourne attorney called at the vii
laEe of Germantown. Pa, and began
inquiry for Mary Mccormick or her de-
scendants was the information con-
corning the fortune brought to the
American heirs.
Sister Philomena superintended the
work OF the hospital in the old Sher-
man building several years ago, before
Mercy hospital was built. At that time
Sister Gabriel. who Is now in Marshall
town, was with Sister Philomena.