Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1920-12-09


Nephew to Whom He Decided His
Property.
One night In 1904 George Gritfiths, a
wealthy manufacturer, who lived at
No. 2102 Spruce street, Philadelphia,
retired after he had been seen and
greeted by associates during the day
and had returned their greetings in his
usual manner. The next morning he
was gone, and for sixteen years he
dropped out of sight.
The other day it was declared in a
court action that. aged, helpless and
blind, he Is still alive, but sequestered
at Wayne, under the constant attend
ance of male nurse, penniless and
dependent on the gifts of nephew-in-
law, Louis L. Reichner, to whom 1t Is
alleged he decided his property, worth
more than $4,000.
Former Judge James Gay Gordon
In common pleas as counsel for Mrs.
], H. Kurtz of Elkins Park and
niece Of Griffiths applied for the ap-
pointment of a guardian for the old
man. He told of finding Mr.. Griffiths
at No. 200 West Wayne avenue, Wayne,
last spring. Relating Mr. Grifiith's
deciding of his property he told of the
refusal of the nephew-in-law to make
known the whereabouts of the vanished
manufacturer while he was shifted
from one residence to another some
of which were leased by the nephew
and others being sanitariums and asy-
lums for the insane.
Asks for a Guardian.
In his petition Judge Gordon asked
for the appointment of a guardian to
protect Mr.. Griffiths He told of the
honorable record Mr.. Griffith had up to
the time of his disappearance. He was
prominently identified with the First
Presbyterian church at Seventh street
and Washington square. He built the
Albert Barnes Memorial at cost of
more than $4,000 in honor of a former
pastor. At the time of his disappear
ance he was treasurer of the Christian
league, Of which he was founder He
was then sixty-three years old.
From investigations which were
made by Mr.. Scott and myself last
spring, when we succeeded I'm locating
Mr.. Gritfiths," said Judge Gordon. 'we
We're able to learn that when Mr.. Crit
fiths disappeared in 1904 he was taken
to Folcroft, hospital for the insane
In Delaware county.
ut will be shown that up to the day
ne disappeared Mr. Griffiths' health
was good. 1t will be shown that his
brother Joseph, father of the petit
TONER, had made inquiries of Attorney
Louis l.. Reichner as to where his
he received was to be told that Crit
1ths had been i'll but was being taken
care Of and was doing well, but he
could not be seen except upon the or
der of his doctor.
Property Disposed OF.
"JOseph Griffiths is now dead, but
from evidence in our possession we ex-
pect to show that when he became in
sistent in his inquiries he was taken
to Folcroft by Attorney Reichner, who
took him on long walk, and coming
In view of large building Reichner
pointed to man who could be seen
on the porch and said: That is your
brother; but don't try to attract his
attention or speak to him.
I'VE will show that Joseph Griffith.
after seeing his brother on this occs
sion, never saw him again, and tina,
no other member of the family laid
eyes on him for sixteen years. We will
show that during. this time Mr.. Grit
fths had parted with all his propert3
giving to Louis F. Reichner his entire
estate. We will show that this man
Reichner has sold house after house
and virtually disposed of the entire
aStatoo