Twin City Herald

$65,000 Found In Poor Farm Inmate's Tattered Clothing

HUGE SUM FOUND IN POCKETS

Springfield, Mo., Dec. 8.—All citizens of this town pitied poor old Andy Baker. He was 72 years old and was growing old and feeble in a tumbled down shack. Winter snow and ice would make kind-hearted men and women drop by and give poor old man Andy something. He often went around garbage cans, and back streets. He was frequently seen on the city's dumping grounds. Andy Baker was pitiful. That is why he was taken to the country farm a few months ago to be given attention when he became seriously ill. It was here that he died. It was here that long sought children came to find him dead a few days ago and also find a fortune of $65,000 cash stuffed away in a pair of the most patched trousers that old Andy possessed.

Much talk and excitement has been created by the discovery. It was not thought by any persons knowing the old fellow that he owned anything of value but a trash sack. It was stated that Andy had been married many years ago and was the father of several children. But he and his wife separated sometime ago, and the children, mother and father lived far apart. Andy went about doing odd jobs and picking refuse out of cans ever searching as if he had lost something of great value.

When he became ill a few months he was sent to the poor farm as he had no relatives to care for him, it was thought. He lingered several weeks and died.

In some manner one or two of his children were located by those who had known old Andy and funeral arrangements were made.

Through curiosity one of the children upon searching through the junk and old clothing that were scattered about the tumbling shack in which Andy lived noticed a pair of trousers patched by so many pieces that it resembled a quilt. Picking the apparel up to laugh at a bulging bundle was noticed. Turning the pockets out the child who had come to bury the forgotten pauper father found a roll of bills and silver amounting to $65,000 cash.