The San Francisco call., 1909-12-05
yAG INHERITS
FORTUNE AND
THEN IS LOST
PenniIess SOt, Ward of Rescue
Mission in Oakland, Worth
Half a Million
Disappears With His Valuable
Papers and Lawyer Would
Like TO Find Him
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call

ISpeoi0l Dispaich 10 The Call
OAKLAND. Dec. 4.-Capricious fate
has suddenly lifted E. ". Lacey. a
drifting drunkard, from the despised
estate OF a vagabond and menial in the
NNhosoever VIII rescue mission TO the
possession OF a princely Australian
fortune. With precious papers apper-
7aining 10 his heritage in his frayed
clothes the strange victim OF circum-
stances left his shelter place at SG6
Ninth street two days ago to draw
$4,000. out OF which he was to pay his
psssa ge over the Pacific.
lie diss sppesred. and now the same
men who figured him for set past re-
demption for TWO years have become
soHcitUos for the late ward of the res
cue home. They have made their con-
cern known to the police after these
Two DAYS Of waiting. They fear that
Lacey may barter for the price Of a
k the deeds Of trust which make
Vim the master OF half million. Such
Is the story vouched for by the mana
gers or the mission.
WEALTH AFTER FAILURE
The Australians legacy is a huge
private fortune in the Antipodes. II he
he found by those interested IN his
welfare and sent back to Melbourne,
where an aged uncle, a cattle king Of
he British possession. left him heir,
he viii rank as one Of the wealthiest
men in the continent Of Oceanis. He
win be united TO his two children,
whom he left after he had failed in
business and lost his wife.
Lacey was a wreck when he first
came 10 the WhOsOever VIII mission.
IT was Just about two years ago. a
rainy December night He CROPPED, sick
and hopeless. into the dingy waiting
room and begged for a crust of bread.
His accent awakened the sympathy
oC r. ID. McGarvie. manager Of the
mission. and also an Australian. Nc
Gsrvie took the wanderer in charge.
put dry clothes on him, he says, and
made hfm one OF the regular inmates
OF the shelter. Later the superintend-
eut. H. Z. Green, learned of the old
drunkard's plight and helped care for
Lacey.
ONCE PROSPEROUS MAN
Lacey mad been the owner Of brew
ery al Sydney. y. s. W, and had got
10 drinking. He failed in his business;
his wife died: and he became simply
az outcsst He got 10 California and
soon became the hangeron at the
mission.
Work was obtained for Lacey. He
WOulO neg Tor money 10 aElnk. ana
lost has job. This experiment failing,
the mission people kept him and when
he was sober put him TO work as a
meniaI, ma king beds and washing
dignes He lived thus for two years.
u A few days ago the British consul in
san Francisco. according TO McGarvie
and Green Of the mission, received
documents for Lacey.
EXHIBITED VALUABLE DEEDS
The papers pertained to the estate
fn Australia. They We're forwarded TO
Lacey at the Ninth street mission and
he himself opened the packet He
showed them to Green, TO McGarVie,
10 Policeman Jones and 10 loiterers
2 bout the place, deeds IN trust TO valu.
able property. The total value, accord
ing TO later Information, was 1867, 000
McGarvie helped the inmate in his
negotiations, which were begun with
Attorney Peter II. Breen of san Fran
cisco Two days ago McG3rvie got a
telephone message purporting 10 come
from Breen asking for Lacey, who was
10 draw s2,5O0 for passage money to
Melbourne.
The heir was induced to put on a
white shirt. but ne refused q white
collar and a tie. lie was sober then
z nd was presumed TO be competent to
cross the bay He departed, bearing
with him his valuable papers, and has
not been heard from since at the Who
sOever VIII mission.