A LONG-LOST HEIR STORY.

Evening Star, Issue 9835, 25 October 1895, Page 4

A LONG-LOST HEIR STORY.

1 Early in the present oentury a grand- 1 father of Mr George/Otty k a painter, living probably *bq»t''sixty'yetes'of ag«jfwas:|iyingat Manchester, Of wMeJS- oity- htftfakatt one tftiie mayor. AttheJtlme of hU<sjgs heha&amasse<U .-considfejttble to have beety.a millionjterling, Th|«rmoney, subject to a certain provision which he made for a female relative still living, he bequeathed-to his other relatives. Upon his death his lawyers endeavored to acquaint the parties interested, but they tad become dispersed, and could not be found. Steps were at once taken to discover the- whereabouts of the beneficiaries, of whom there were six, but for manyyears-without success. Advertisements were inserted in every likely paper, private inquiry agents were set to work, dues were found here and there all over the country, but too often without any practical result. Messengers were at one time and another despatched to Ireland, France, and other distant place/, and at length the persistent efforts of the lawyers were crowned "with partial success. 'Due of the parties m v terested was found in the south of France, two were discovered in America, another had gone to Australia, one had died, and there remained only one missing. After a further vigorous search, information was received that the Lost heir had at onetime been emplpved by a firm of decorators near London. Vague as this information Was it was pursued, and on inquiries being instituted among various decorating firms Otty's address was recently discovered. A representative of the solicitors went down and found Obty engaged pamtirg at Tagg's Hotel at East Moslny. When ir f ormed of his,good fortune he was at first inclined to treat the affair as a hoax, but his doubts were soon set at rest by the advance of a sum of money.. As soon as be was convinced that his good fortune was real he threw up his work, and has since been living comfortably on the money advanced to him from the estate. A great many legal formalities have had- to be gone through in order to prove that Otty is really entitled to share in the legacy, but these have all been satisfactorily completed, and in the course of a few days he will leave Molesey, where he has lived for over twenty years, and take up his residence with hiß wife-and family at Manchester. It is not known what will be the exact amount to be.shared, but it must be something very considerable. It is Btated that the trustees of the estate are gentlemen of high position,'among them being Lord Russell of Killowen, the Lord Chief Justice.