THE TUAM HERALD, SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 1909 TUAM, CO GALWAY ANOTHER BLAKE WINDFALL According to the London Star a very curious story attaches to the announcement that another Blake fortune has fallen to the Treasury by the death of Mr Fred K Blake, of Broadfield Lodge, near Crawley, who died on 6th May, intestate, and a bachelor without known relative. Although this estate is not so large as the more famous Blake millions which have interested so many, it reaches the respectable total of £43,000. It is certainly curious that this intestate should be related to the famous Mrs Helen Blake, whose fortune also went to the Crown. The romances of these two windfalls begins with General Robt. Dudley Blake, son of General Sir Francis Blake, second baronet, who belonged to an old Northumbrian family. The held Twissel Castle, and in Durham, Tilmouth, and Segrill in Northumberland, and were very rich. While he was Captain in the Army, Robert Dudley Blake met in Dublin a beautiful Irish girl named Helen Sheridan, the daughter of a country schoolmaster. He fell in love with her, and had her educated in England, and married her in Lanarkshire in 1819. Their only child died in infancy, and left it all to his widow when he died in 1860. In the same year his brother, Sir Francis Blake, third baronet, died without legitimate issue, and the baronetcy became extinct. Sir Francis also left considerable property to his sister-in-law, Mrs Helen Blake. This lady died at Earlscourt terrace in 1876, and at the age of 76, without making a will. Her real estate was worth about £30,000, and the personal estate to about £119,000 more. The whole of the personal estate was seized by the Crown, and next-of-kin advertised for. But no one of the claimants who came forward from Ireland and America could satisfy the Court of Chancery that they were next of kin, and £24,000 having been spent in costs, the personal estate amounting to £140,000 remained in the hands of the Crown. In the district of Claremorris there are still Sheridans who claim to be related to Helen Blake, but they are too poor to push their claims. The second Blake intestate comes in this way : Sir Francis Blake, the third baronet, had several children to whom he bequeathed considerable sums at his death in 1860. One of them was Mr Fred K Blake, who has just died at Crawley. He was formerly an officer in the Army, and was never seen in the North of England, though he owned the Seghill estate of 400 acres, on which the Leycocks works their colliery. There was a rumour on the Tyneside that some poor relatives intended to claim the personal estate, which is valued at £43,000, but nothing has been heard of it in the Courts, and letters of administration of his property have been granted to the Solicitor to the Treasury, and his successors in that office for the use of his Majesty. The Seghill colliery and the landed estates pass to the deceaseds kinsman, Sir Francis Blake, first baronet of the 1907 creation, whose family bought the Seghill Park and other Northumberland estates from the Crown when Mrs Helen Blake died intestate. Altogether, the Crown has reason to be grateful to the Blakes for their windfalls. ---------- DEATH OF MRS. KELLY, COROFIN. Lasat week, at Cooleesk, hard by Corofin Lodge, in the parish of Cummer, died a member of a local old stock, Mrs Mary Kelly, relict of the late Mr Wm. Kelly, who had been gardener at the above-named lodge to the Cregg Castle Blake Family. Hale, hearty and enjoying all her faculties unimpaired to the end, she had attained a ripe old age, during which she was greatly liked and respected throughout the parish. Fortified with the last rites of Holy Church she passed away early on Thursday morning, 5th inst, as serenely as a child to sleep. The announcement of her death was received with deep regret by everyone that knew her. The funeral to Cummer Old Church on Friday was one of the largest seen there for many a year, consisting as it did of over 69 vehicles besides saddled horses and pedestrians. The chief mourners were Michael Kelly, Mrs Glynn, Mrs Keedington, (children of the deceased) ; William Kelly, Thomas Kelly, Michael Kelly, Mary Kelly, Norah Kelly, Maggie Kelly, John Kelly, Brian Kelly, etc, William Glynn, Thomas Glynn, Ellen Glynn, John Reddington and Michael Reddington, (grandchildren); John Shaughnessy and John Gylnn (nephews); Honoria Mannion (niece); Mrs Kelly (daughter-in-law); Denis Glynn and Patrick Reddington, (sons-in-law). Other relatives: Pat Mannion, Bridget Mannion, John Shaughnessy, Patrick Varden, Mrs Hession, Pat Hession, Mrs Lardner, John Lardner, Denis Glynn, Michael Glynn, Edward Delany, Patrick Walkeen, Denis Walkeen, Bridget Walkeen, Brian Feeny, Mrs Feeney, Patk Glynn, Mrs Glynn, Michael Murphy, Thomas Glynn, John Murphy, Margaret Murphy, Bridget Nestor, John Nestor, Martin Corcoran. John Coen, Mary Coen, Patk Connolly, D C ; Pat Mannion, Mrs Greany, Mrs Furey, etc. Amongst the general public present were Rev Father Fau (not readable) long list of general public some of list is not readable. May she rest in peace. ---------- PITHY PARS. Personal, Parochial, Provincial and Particular In the Honour List of the Summer Examinations in First and Second Arts, just published, we notice that Galway University College has secured five first-class distinctions, besides eleven second class. Considering the return from other colleges, this record is a very credible one, and speaks well of the merits of the pupils of the Queens. Cork scarcely shows on this list. ---------- We regret to announce the death of Miss Celia Lally, Kirwans avenue, Galway, sister to Rev P J Lally, St Josephs Church. Deceased was organist of the Dominican Church, and her demise is sincerely deplored by all classes. ---------- The Rev O. Hannon, C C, and Rev J Prendergast, Tuam, were amongst the clergy who left Westland row last week with the delegates of the Catholic Young Mans Association. They are representing Ireland at the Eucharistic Congress which opened at Cologne on Wednesday week last. The pilgrims returned on the 9th inst. Father Eaton; of St. Jarlaths, preached an Irish sermon in Cologne the first ever heard here for centuries. ---------- It is scandalous to find that when returning from the Galway Races, Patrick Conlon, of Kilcolgan, when approaching Clarenbridge was actually fired at. Conlon was wounded in both legs, and the horse was struck in the neck. The animal became restive and proceeded along the road at a rapid pace. A police patrol in the vicinity soon afterwards came across the injured man and had him surgically treated. The local Constabulary authorities are investigating the occurrences with the usual results. The injured man is at present under treatment in Galway County Hospital. ---------- The water supply for Athenry is still the trouble that it has been for years past. The Loughrea District Council will not spend a penny on the procuring of water for such an important town unless Athenry is prepared to pay for it, and although the District Council know well they have no power to fix an area of charge, yet they refuse to rectify the matter. It shows at all events that the Loughrea Council have no desire to do much for Athenry. ---------- An extraordinary high price in land sales has just been paid for two acres of land, with a home attached, at Caheravoola, Cummer. The holding, which was sold by Mr Patrick Canavan, auctioneer, Tuam, was bought by Mr Varden, Anbally, for £150. The vendor was the administratrix of the late Mr Michael Comber. ---------- The Tuam Races (autumn meeting) have been fixed for September 2nd. The entries for the different events closed on Wednesday last. It is only necessary to mention the success of the July meeting to show that the forthcoming fixture will add to the growing reputation of Tuam as one of our leading meetings. ---------- Mrs Flaherty, who with her family of four children were evicted from their holding at Mountross, Headford, took forcible possession of the holding the following day. The matter was reported to the landlord, Mr McDermott, by the police. ---------- It is a pity no steps are being taken towards erecting a ball alley in Tuam. There is in the town splendid material which, if afforded the opportunity, would develop into ideal exponents of the game. For the past few weeks some splendid games have been witnessed at the College ball alley, which is largely utilised by the young men during the vacation season, through the kind permission of the Rev President. ---------- The most interesting handball contest that ever was brought off in the West of Ireland will come off at the great tournament organised by the Athenry Handball Committee on Sunday, August 29th. All the great exponents of this grand old game in the country presently have promised to attend, and some fine games may be expected. The committee have left no stone unturned to make this tournament a success. They are offering three beautiful gold medals to the winners, and three very good silver medals to the runners-up; and the Athenry ball court has undergone a special course of preparation for the event, a large amount of money having been spent upon it. The rubber is to be the best of five games, and teams to consist of three players each. All entries close with the Hon. Sec, Mr L Lardner, Church Street, Athenry, on Wednesday, August 25th. Entrance fee, 5s, each team. We understand that a team from Tuam will compete at the handball tournament and will be represented by J. Sheehy, M. Flannelly and M. Hession. ---------- About twelve labourers cottages are now on the way to completion here, and taken in conjunction with the new houses built on the grazing ranches recently distributed amongst the tenants, they materially improve the appearance of the district, and are a striking example of the great changes almost unnoticed are daily taking place around us. ---------- A correspondent says that widespread regret is felt through Headford district at the transfer of the Rev E Higgins, C C, to Glenamaddy. During the years he laboured there he endeared himself to all classes, rich and poor alike. He was a splendid example of the Soggarth aroon all things to all men - his bright, genial, and unassuming manner made everyone his friend, and brought a message of hope and comfort and encouragement to the homes of the poor, who in an especial manner experienced and appreciated his goodness of heart and hand. The best wishes of the people for his future happiness and welfare go with him to his new field of labour. ---------- Mrs J Ruttledge landed four salmon of 12, 8, 8, and 7 lbs in the Corrib. Mr Wanklyn had six salmon, weighing 64 lbs, one of these fish being landed, thanks to another, which, when disturbed, left its prey disabled, but alive, in the water. The total bag is twenty-eight salmon, all killed with the fly, and also a number of sea trout. ---------- During the past week some fine bags of sea trout have been made on the Erriff and its lakes by the Hon Robert Dillon, Mrs De La Poer Beresford, and Mr William Frost one basket each, fish weighing over 16 lb. Eight salmon were killed during the week with the fly. A very wet July, and a big run of sea trout and summer salmon. ---------- The newly appointed secretary of the Mayo Co Council, Mr Jos T Kelly, entered upon his new duties on the 1st inst. Mr F H McAndrew, who had been discharging the secretarial duties, with credit to himself and profit to the Council, during the past twelve months, has left on a months vacation. ---------- In an interesting anniversary number, the Catholic Press boasts that during its 25 years of existence, the Catholic Press, Limited, has done a fair share to diffuse its disciples over the British Press. One of the ablest young fellows who came their way was Mr Thomas Scanlon, who has lately come into national prominence in connection with bicauditure for Sligo. Another Western who found his footing in journalism in connection with their papers was Mr J J Moran, the celebrated Irish author. And still a thrd [third] promising youngster who came from the province of Connaught, was Mr Walter B J Conway, who is now the Editor of the Schoolmaster. Mr Conway also began his career in British journalism in our Glasgow office, where he did some very smart work, notably in connection with the exposure of the White Nun fraud, an epistle terminating in the imprisonment of the lady who had been posing as an ex-nun without any claim to that title. Leaving Glasgow Mr Conway went South, and for a time conducted our Bolton paper. Eventually drifting to the Metropolis, he became associated with Dr Macnamara, M P, in the production if the Schoolmaster and when that distinguished Irishman was obliged, by the acceptance of Ministerial office, to relinquish the direction of Englands leading educational newspaper, Mr Conway, who had been his auxiliary Editor, stepped on the bridge himself and still adorns the position. ---------- Jim McNamara Jim McNamara Searching: McNAMARA-McGRATH, CLEARY-CONWAY, HANNA(H)-BRADY-McCORMICK-THOMPSON-CAIN-WAUGH-DAVIS-HUNTER