FORTUNE SQUANDERED
WEALTHY MAN’S SON DIES IN POVERTY. “WILD SORT OF FELLOW.” 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 65, 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 fellow.” 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 money .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 tc live on a small pension.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1938, Page 2
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203FORTUNE SQUANDERED Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1938, Page 2
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