FORTUNE FOR CHARITY
Blind Hermit’s Bequest SUCCESS AND TRAGEDY Mr. Morris Lyon, the blind silversmith hermit, of Holborn, London, who for the last six years lived above his shuttered and closed shop, attended by two faithful old servants, has left £lOO,OOO, most of Avhich is ultimately destined for charitable purposes. At one time the friend of judges ana famous K.C.’s, Mr. Lyon was in his last days a lonely, pathetic figure. For more than sixty years, Avith the help of his brother and five sisters, he worked hard, and by his skill and industry amassed a fortune. He has directed that a large portion of this fortune shall be devoted to the building and maintenance of a convalescent home, Avhich shall be knOAvn as the Morris and Samuel Lyon Home. A sum of money has been set as\de for the purchase of a piece of land, th'e will stipulating that it must be Avithin a radius of thirty miles from the Mansion House. Thousands of pounds have been bequeathed to various hospitals for immediate use- , Mr. Lyon, after lie became blind, lived a life of the.greatest frugality, denying himself. the comforts that a man of his position might enjoy in his old age. Often his friends had pressed him to move from the rooms above his shop, and then, when he ivent blind, they tried to make him buv a motor-car. But old Morris Lyon was steadfast in his aim; he Avould not even go away for a holiday. He was not a miser, but the soitoav of blindness had changed his outlook on life, and he vowed that he would save every penny, so that Avhen he died his money should go to aid those men and women Ai'ho Avere not blessed Avith the fortune of good health. - , ~ Mr. Lyon used to wear a valuable pair of cuff-links. Just before his death he broke them. He went into the street and bought another pair for sixpence, saying to his old servant. “They will be good enough for me now.” The deceased Avas the last of his line except for two neplieivs. They deyoted themselves to him in his old age. Every day they visited the shop, and did everything they could for him. He has remembered their help, and bequeathed to them certain life interests. ,
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Bibliographic details
Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 291, 4 September 1931, Page 13
Word Count
386FORTUNE FOR CHARITY Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 291, 4 September 1931, Page 13
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