Miser's Golden Hoard.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 109, 12 May 1904, Page 3

Miser's Golden Hoard.

£56,000 DISCOVERED IN A RECLUSE'S ROOM. One ol the strangest discoveries of bidden wealth in the history of Paris has just come to light. In December, 1901, M. Narcisse rhibaut, a bachelor of sixty-three, who occupied a room at No. ;SB, Hue de lioulangers, and never received visitors, was suddenly missed. It was at first thought that he had gone on a journey, but as time went on and de did not reappear, the concierge became alarmed and informed the landlord, who in turn communicated with the relatives of M. Thibaut. But it was only some weeks later that the disappearance of the old gentleman was made known to the police, and on February 22, 1902, a magistrate went to the house and opened the door of the apartment. The moment he entered he staggered back in horror ; he could hardly believe the sight before his eyes. M. Thibaut was seated before an open drawer,which he was clutching with his hands, having been surprised by death in that position. Strange to say, the body was completely mummified, and Dr. Froger, who was called in, said he had never met a similar case in all his practice. It is known, however, that the deceased lived principally on milk, tea,and dry cakes. PAUPER'S COFFIN ORDERED. The first search made in the room revealed nothing more valuable than piles of empty cigar and cake boxes, all carefully numbered. A plank had served the old man as a table. A coffin of the poorest type had already been ordered, when, by the merest chance, a sum of £l2 was discovered, and Narcisse was saved from a pauper's burial. Nothing more was found till a fortnight later, when a more thorough investigation was made, with amazing results. Under the carpet, and hidden behind old pictures, were sums amounting to £BOOO. Another £lO,000 was revealed on opening an uncut copy of a French translation of " P tt radise Lost." Other secret treasuries yielded up their hoards, and when the total was computed it was found that the deceased had left no less than £56,000. M. Thibaut showed considerable originality in his testamentary dispositions. He bequeaths some trifling sums to his nieces, and left the residue of his estate to the directors of the English Society called the " Friends of Peace," of which he was a member. Should the bequest not be valid, he selected as his heir a cousin who had, he said, been very kind to him. But this gentleman, says tli/; " Journal," died a dozen years ago.