A CONVICT HEIR TO A FORTUNE.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1054, 14 March 1873, Page 4

A CONVICT HEIR TO A FORTUNE.

The Liverpool Mercury says:— There is a strange story current of an extraordinary slice of good luck falling to the share of one whom hitherto " fortune had cruelly snatched." Some years ago a young man, respectably connected, a notive of Chester, became somewhat notorious in this locality for the reckless life which he was leading. Becoming involved in some dishonest transactions, he was apprehended, tried, and senienced to a period of transportation. A few months ago an old gentleman died in the neighborhood of Chester. He left houses and land worth about £30,000, besides several thousands in cash, but left no will,. Enquiries were set on foot as to who would be the heir to the old man's property, and it was found that the next of kin was ne'er-do-well nephew, who had long since been lost sight of, and who was supposed to be dead. The circumstances came accidentally to the knowledge of a detective officer connected with the Liverpool police, who found that the convict was the heir who was wanted for the old man's wealth. He wrote to the Home office, and the authorities there promptly took the matter up and after some delay it was found that the man, after his sentence, had been removed to the penal settlement in Victoria; that he had obtained his liberty, and that he is at the present time a prosperous sheep farmer in that country. The detective has acquainted him with the fact that he has become heir to a large property ; but the man is settled and happy in his Australian home, and it is doubtful if even the prospect of becoming a Cheshire landholder will tempt him to revisit the scenes of his youthful follies.