FORTUNE SQUANDERED
WEALTHY MAN'S SON DEATH IN POVERTY Left a large inheritance under his father's will, a former ship's steward squandered it all and died a labourer. This was the story revealed after an inquest at Hammersmith,, London, on Matthew Henry Middlebrook, aged G5, of the Dreadnought Hospital, Greenwich. He died in hospital following an operation for cancer of the throat, and a verdict of "Death by misadventure" was recorded.
After the proceedings a friend of Middlebrook described him as "a wild sort of felloAv." He was the son of a wealthy wool merchant in Bradford, who left him many thousands of pounds. The money was placed in a solicitor's charge. When Middlebrook arrived in London after a trip, he used to draw a wad of notes from the solicitor and say to his companions, "Come on, boys. Let's go and have a good time." Within a few days the monev was frittered away. In this way Middlebrook spent his inheritance, until one day the solicitor told him there was no more.
The former steward became a labourer, but even then his reckless habits did not cease. Then he grew ill, and had to live on a small pension.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)
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199FORTUNE SQUANDERED New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)
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