RICHEST HEIRESS IN THE WORLD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3130, 28 January 1911, Page 4

RICHEST HEIRESS IN THE WORLD

GIRL OF FOURTEEN WITH FORTUNE OF £6,000,000.

Miss Catherine Barker, of Chicago, who is only fourteen, inherits £6,000,000 the entire fortune of her father, John Barker, constructor of tram and raihvay cars, and a highly successful investor, who died on NoA-ember 26. She is now the richest girl in the country, says the “London Daily Telegraph,” being worth just double as much as Miss Helen Gould, of New York, and three times as much as Miss Jennie Crocker, of San Francisco, the two young ladies nearest her in workllv possessions. Catherine lost her mother last June, and is iioav in charge of a governess. The estate is administered by the Chicago Trust and Savings Bank. “It’s just horrid haA r ing so much money,” Catherine remarked to an interviewer, but the governess present at the interview said, “You must try to endure your affliction Avith patience.” Catherine is very popular avith her girl friends, avho declare that she Avill ahvays be Catherine, and that the money cannot spoil her. One of the late millionaire's,pet prejudices Avas a hatred for cigarette smoking. He urged Nelson Barnes, a young broker, of New York, avlio Avas then engaged to his favorite niece, to quit cigarettes. His urgj’ngs Avere in vain, and at last he said, “Barnes, if you throw away_ that cigarette, and pledge your word of honor never to smoke another. I’ll give you £10,000.” “Done!” said Barnes, who gave his Avord, and forthAvitli replaced the cigarettes by cigars.