Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-17
SWINDLED WIDOW OF
SEA CAPTAIN HOPES
TO RECOVER MONEY
Mrs. George Melville, De-
prived of More Than
$4,000 of Her Fortune
by Alleged "Gold Brick"
Merchant, Optimistic.

A little old woman who lives in tn,
somewhat faded grandeur OF a big three
story house at 2452 North Broad street
Is anxiously waiting the time wher
Frank G. Mooney, of $3.50 McCallun
trial. She believes that at the trial hs
will be forced to reveal what he has
done with more than 100000 she de-
clares he borrowed from her since June
of 1910 Mooney Is under SlO.OOO pail
awaiting the action of the Grand Jury
The woman Is the widow of Captain
George Melville. He died dozen years
ago and left her securities, valued APP
proximately at slO0. 900. including the big
house in North Broad street, clear of
debt. Mrs. Melville Is now more than
80 years old She had lived simple,
frugal life. Her wants were few.
TRIED TO AID MOONEY.
Five years ago the fortune wrested
from the sea by her mariner husband was
virtually intact. Then In some way
Mooney learned OF the aged widow 8
wealth She had all she would ever need
and was perfectly satisfied with life, II
is believed by her friends and relatives
that she gave heed to Moneys stories
more TO help and obliGe him than to in
crease her own fortune.
According to her own story and that OF
her lawyer, Daniel G.. Stewart she lis
tened and then invested. At first Mooney
told her the money was for land invest
ments in Florida. According to the state
ment of the lawyer at Moneys hearing,
he has checks issued to the man by Mrs.
Melville totaling more than $4,000 and
ranging in amounts from $50 to $500.
Some time last summer the guileless old
woman began to wonder why there was
no return on the investment described by
Mooney as holding forth such brilliant
opportunities. Mooney met this by ask
ing permission to switch the investment
Into Mexican mining propositions, of
which he talked glowingly. Apparently
the loans continued until all the securities
were gone. Then a mortgage was put on
the house. Later a second mortgage was
obtained and invested with the rest.
A few weeks ago Mrs. f. c. Klenker,
OF 5236 Spruce street, a relative, called on
the aged widow. She learned for the first
time that the fortune left his wife by the
sea captain had disappeared. that the
house was heavily mortgaged and that
Mrs. Melville had suddenly discovered she
had no more money, This started the in
vestigation that led to the arrest OF
Mooney, his being held first in $500 bail
and later in $4,000, which he could not
provide. for the Grand Jury.
VICTIM NOT IN WANT.
Mrs. Melville is not in want. Her rela-
yves are seeing that she has everything
she needs. She still lives IN the big
house In North Broad street, most of the
time alone. For some time her relatives
and friends have been noticing that the
place was not what II used to be. AL
though still in good health, Mrs. Melville
is too old to give the house the attention
she did in former years.
Most of the furnishings are of expen.
slVe make, but of another day and gem
GRAFTON. The carpets are good but some
what worn. The parlor is decorated with
old-fashioned ornaments.
Mrs. Melville is not bitter against
Mooney. She feels confident he still has
most of the money she turned over to
him for investment and that the court
viii force him TO return it, The widow
does not show her age. Her hair Is
white, but her face is still fairly smooth.
She has eyes that age has faded some
what, but that still twinkle humorously
even when she is speaking of Mooney.
She Is inclined to appreciate the ex-