A MISER’S HOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3676, 28 February 1899, Page 2

A MISER’S HOARD.

There has just died' at Newport, Monmouthshire, an eccentric .tailor, name,l William Smith,- aged 85, who, though bring in apparently destitute circumstances, was founds to be possessed of a considerable sum. He was a well-known resident of the Maindee district, where he had resided for upwards of 50! years I ’ ■ ' At the inquest,’Mrs Charlotte Barrett, with whom deceased had lodged for several years, said so far as she knew Smith had no relatives. He was “the meanest and nearest man that everlived.” He refused to . have a doctor, because, ho said, all they wanted was . money, "e was always taking some mesa ,or other. He was so mean that he would pick up fish heads Trom the gutter and Joil them with vinegar and liquorice—a concoction which he would drink. During the fortnight previous to ; his . death ho seemed “off his head.” He . would walk in the garden at one o'clock in the morning and say hg could see his late housekeeper— : How deceased—bringing company to' rob him of Ms money and watches. He was such a suspicious man-“teat he thought the one hand would rob the other.” tic sometimes received a bank-book, but had - been - unable-to- find‘ it;-thauglrthc bedroom had. been -searched. Deceased boasted that he was worth ‘thundreds of pounds,” and that he had travelled a!l , overtne world. The only furniture he had in the room was a table and a “fool’s oaafr,“ which,’ witness' explained, was a chair with one leg./. / Se would not allow a woman to clean ‘his ropms, because hp, was'afraid his money would bo stolon. : A neighbour-(Mrs”Richards)~-depO’SGTr that Smith would wear his shirt six weeks, and tnen offer her a' penny t&r washing it. i The police spoke to searching the room, which waS'in a filthy condition, being full of old articles/ old tins, boots, etc./ In deceased’s waistcoat was a hey, which unlocked a box. This contained £l4 in gold, 5s in "silver, a few coppers, three gold watches, silver brooches, and other trinkets. " In* another box were found ,10, tins of condensed milk and 21 packets or lump'sugar, all unopened. they hail been ufiable to trace ’deceased’s relatives, though’ they had been in communication With the Liverpool and Taunton-police ,1 The jury returned a- verdict of death from natural causes. - . J Subsequently the police discovered Smith's Post Office bank-book, concealed in a canister behind the mantelshelf, 'me book showed deposits amounting to upwards ot £2OO, the last withdrawal having been made about twelve months ago. if the relatives cannot be-traced the money will probably go"to the Crown.