Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-27
SEARCH in VAIN
FOR SEN. .CATLDN'S
WILL AND MONEY
Friends Expected to Find For
tune in Cash and Per-
sonal Property

Following the funeral yesterday of
the late Senator Sterling Il. Catlin
held in Wilkes Barre and which was
attended by large part of the Sem
ate and many State officials, includ-
ing Lieutenant-Governor Beidleman,
members of Governor. Sprouts cab
met. it was learned that the estate.
estimated at between S1,000,000 and
100000 virtually has disappeared,
except for the real estate. No will
has as yet been found and no eN-
planation can be given as to what
became of the fortune.
thorough search of the two es-
tates maintained by the eccentric
Senator has been made in vain for
a will.
That Senator Catlin in recent years
received cash payments of about
$4,000 annually on royalties on coal
underlying his properties and that
he collected not less than Sl5O,000
in addition for the sale of rights OF
way to two railroad extensions is
known. But not one cent of the
money has been discovered.
Deficit Found
Careful checking up at three banks
that regularly conducted Senator
Catlin's financial business shows that
instead of a surplus, there is an ac-
tual deficit. which, however, is more
than covered by the value of the
lands left in the Catlln estate. The
deficit is for mortgages whose pro-
Ceeds also have disappeared. Search
for the will and Catlin money began
Monday morning and last night came
10 a fruitleSS end. Not the least in
dication of Senator Catlins disposi-
ton of the vast funds received by
IN, lisrn,-
cred. A bachelor, who lived modestly
without servants. automobiles or any
of the modern luXurles. the Senator
by the disappearance of all cash
funds, would seem to have spent at
least 100000 in the past ten years.
\ possible solution to the lack of a
will and exhausted funds is taken
from the life and works of Senator
Catlin. He lived entirely apart from
his family, his nearest relative being
Mrs. Margaret Covell. of. Ardmore,
and his next nearest the Colonial
families of Miner. Mofett and
Thompson. names that are identified
with the early settling of Wyoming
Valley. Col. Asher Miner. hero COM
mander of the 109th Field Artillery,
now here reCuperatlng from the ef-
ieCtS of a wound that cost him the
loss of leg in the Argonne battle,
Is cousin. Senator Catlin was the
last of his immediate family and
therefore inherited Il great share of
those of the Colonel Rosses. Since
the death of his uncle. George Cat
lin, famous painter of Indian life.
whose works adorn the Smithsonian
Institution at Washington, the SEN
ator has lived a recluse. at least so
TAR as his family and close relatives
were concerned.
Finding of a will. believed TO have
been made two years ago. would re-
lieve the cousins of Senator Catln
from a great bulk of State tax that
otherwise will be collected. 1t also
might give a clew as to the Tx +
cash. That the will has been d ,struy-
ed. possibly by the Senator's 'wn di-
reCtion. is believed possible and in
that event ii would he ken for
granted that the noted 5 tie logis-
lator personally divided his rloney
before his death, making the wards
under a pledge OF seCrec'.. II is
known that several charitaI insti-
tutions often were mention, by him
as preferenceS-in a 4 SpoS on of his
wealth. Boyhood friend nd others
who administered 10 tha Senator in
his long Illness. during the months
when he was practically isolated in
his home, also are thought of as
secret benefiCiaries