FORTUNE MYSTERY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3411, 30 December 1911, Page 9

FORTUNE MYSTERY.

CLAIM, TO ONE MILLION POUNDS.

The romantic story of a North of England fortune has just come to light at Millford Haven-, South Wales, where resides an eld roan, about 80 years of age. named George Mann. He has led an adventurous and interesting career, but bis narrative was not generally known until'quite recentlyHe. is ! a- native of Sunder land. and claims to be a lineal dependant of John Mather, a Scotsman who had an adventurous business career in Newcastle-on - Tyne as jeweller, silversmith, and goldsmith, and who was for 70 yearn hall- , marker and assayer for the Countv of Northumberland. He was also partner in what became the well-known firm of Mather and Armstrong, gunsmiths, etc. Mann’s grandmother wins i-Jolm Mather’s only sister, so that his claim to relationship is direct. Mather died, leaving a fortune of over a million sterling' to his only son, named John Mather. He died only three months after inheriting his fortune, and left no issue. Tlie elder Mather Iliad taken considerable interest, in his sister Mary Mather’s family, and helped her daughter, Mann’s mother, when left a. widow. in Sunderland. Meanwhile George Mann embarked on a. career of adventure, and it is probably due to this fact that he is to-day living in obvious poverty instead of enjoying at least a portion of his relative’s fortune. He joined the navy during the Crimean war, but after a time left his ■hip and travelled the world, visiting four continents, and coming in touch with numerous tribes of savages. Settling in America, lie served through the civil war under General “Stonewall” Jackson, and was a frontiersman in, the 54th Virginian Cavalry. He lived in America for twenty-two years. -Mann returned to England in 1875, and was walking along the quay at Tyeside when an old acquaintance recognised him and told him advertisements had been issued to ascertain .his whereabouts by the executors of John: Mather- Mann, of course, was elated, and sought in his own wav to make himself known, but his wild days were not yet over, and he lapsed again into his roaming life Some years ago Mann arrived at Milford Haven and worked on the steam trawlers as engineer and cook until his an-.© precluded him from further work. Now that lie feels the keen struggle for existence he has sought once more to establish 'liis relationship with the Newcastle millionaire. The old man .lives in a little, out-of-the-world spot called Rheddall Bottoms, some distance from Milford Haven. Though secluded in a desolate hollow, the old man’s cot revealed his industry in many ways—by 110 means least in its cleanliness- Mann is quite alert and "rile for his years, and exceptionally intelligent. He possesses rare skill with the brush, and pududly exhibits several specimens of landscape paintings. Maun is convinced that the money is now in Chancery. “If I could only get £IOO a year I should be satisfied,” he said, liglitheartedLy. “I get on old age pension,” he continued, .when questioned regarding_liis present position, “but out of tlie 5s I not only support myself, but also a little seven-year-okl grandson, who has been deserted by liis paretns.” Then bursting into tears, he said, “I shall have to lose him, as there is not enough fior two of us. There is verv little food left.” . , , Changing the subject again, he became hopeful of yet being successful in securing his inheritance. He is overioved at the fact that a local solicitor has taken the matter up.