The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-12-23
DEATH AIDS MYSTERY
John A. McCorrnick's Rev
elation Stopped as
He Lay Dying
USED MANY ALIASES
Domestic Trouble and An
other Mccormick Estate
Confuse Probers

Hidden away in safe deposit vaults
and in banks IN San Francisco there
Is at least 100000 for which q search
has been made for more than year
by the relatives Of the late John Alex
snder Mccormick. former proprietor
OF the Mccormick chemical company,
one Of the largest on the Pacific coast.
Mccormick died in San Francisco in
November. 1906. Since that time his
widow and her son, his sister, Mrs.
Mary Doyle of San Mateo, to whom
the bulk of the property IS supposed
70 have been left. and his brother,
William Mccormick, have been trying
20 locate his bank books and the large
blocks OF government bonds he was
known 10 possess. The case VIII come
Up in court Friday. and the attorneys
for the heirs inaugurated systematic
campaign yesterday in the final effort
TO locate the property.
The search has led the attorneys into
p maze OF mysteries which indicate that
Mccormick made every effort TO keep
secret the location OF his fortune. On
his death bed he attempted to reveal
Its place OF conceslment to his rela
tives. but before he had concluded his
tale he lspsed into Dnconsciousness and
death left the mystery unsolveo. The
search Cor the fortune has led the at
torneys into q bewildering labyrinth.
involving = deaf and dumb notary, a
half dozen aliases. and, strsngest of all,
another Mccormick estate. also sur
rounded by a mystery which bears no
relation to that ia question.
ALIASES HIDE RICHES
The search is being prosecuted espe-
ciauy on behalf Of Mrs. Mary Doyle,
McCormick-s sister and favorite rela-
tive. 10 whom the bulk Of the fortune
vas left. Mrs Doyle is the wife OF a
businessman Of san Mateo. She has
learned positively that the estate left
bv her brother amounted TO almost
se5o.o0o.
John Alexander Mccormick was a
secretive man. He kept his business
dealings TO himself and his aim seemed
10 be 10 keep others ignorant OF his
affairs To make it al the harder for
those who would endeavor to learn
something OF his wealth he adopted a
novel scheme. Mccormick had bank
accounts in the names OF John Owens.
John Alexander John A. Mack, John
Mccormick and John A. Mccormick.
The variety Of names he used in his
business transactions has made It all
the more dificult for his relatives to
settle his estate.
Mccormick was = native OF California
and established the chemical company
in 1884 His business netted him large
sums OF money In 1891 he was di-
vorced from his first wife and she OBJ
tanned large sum OF money from him.
Mccormick made an effort TO keep his
property away from his wife's attor-
uoys but he was compelled to pay for
his wifc's support
TRY TO SOLVE PUZZLE
It is thought that his trouble with his
first wife led him to adopt the scheme
OF hiding his property. lie was again
married about 10 years ago, and I'VE
years sfterward he and this wife be-
ssuLe involved in trouble. Mccormick
-ed with his wife until he died. but it
IS known that his home life was not
happy Mrs. McCormick was never able
10 learn the extent or his property or
where he had his money. The rich
chemist did say that he had plenty, but
that he alone would spend II.
Just what ho-did with his wealth is
vnst his relatives arc trying to ascer-
tain. IT has taken the attorneys who
were called into the case more than a
wear to learn Of the several names IN
der which Bccormiok did business.
They are now hopeful Of locating the
hidden riches.
Former Judge SAWYER. who was Nc
Cormick-s attorney for many years.
said that Mccormick had about $50, 900
worth Of government bonds, in addi-
ton 10 large bank accounts. Mccor-
micps laboratory was at III Folsom
street and was among the buildings
DESTROYED in the FIRE Of April 1906.
DEATH STOPS REVELATION
1t il known that McCormiek made 4
viii and he told bis brother, William
Xecormick. who IS a carriage uanufac-
31rer ia Brannan street. that he had
left the greater portion Of his wealth
10 his sister. Mccormick was taken
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