This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RMurray99 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.indiana/6472.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: 21 April 1897 - PETER PALMER'S MILLIONS A Rich Brother Dies In Oregon Leaving a Fortune Estimated at $3,000,000 - A Big Slice Coming to Indiana County Relatives. A dispatch announced the death, at Salem, Oregon, about two weeks ago, of Peter Palmer, a bachelor, leaving a fortune estimated at $3,000,000. There are numerous heirs in this county and in Western states. Peter left West Wheatfield, this county, about 50 years ago, and was next heard of in Claifornia during the early gold excitement in that famed Eldorado. He engaged in the general hunt for the precious metal, and was one out of the comparatively few engaged in that pursuit who was markedly successful. He remained in California several years, finally removing to Oregon where he invested his earnings in various enterprises, all of which appear to have prospered, and added to his already accumulated wealth. Among his other ventures which have turned out to be highly profitable was the purchase and development of certain mining properties in Alaska. About 25 years ago Peter paid a visit to his old home in West Wheatfield and visited his many relatives in that vicinity and in o! ther parts of the country. He gave his friends then some little account of the prosperity that had attended him in his western home, although he did not, so far as we can learn, any tangible evidences of the fortune he claimed to possess. Upon his return west after this last visit, he corresponded occasionaly with various members of his family, who were thus able to keep trace of his movements, and who were promptly informed of his death. Last week, in company with a lawyer, Samuel, a brother of Peter, who resides in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, left for Oregon to investigate the estate. It is stated that Peter, who was about 84 years old at the time of his death, was unmarried, and that his entire fortune will go to his brothers and sisters, or to their surviving heirs. Peter was the name of the father of this sketch, and resided in Germany, West Wheatfield, and who died a number of years ago, and who was one of the best known and highly respected citizens of that section of the county. The elder Peter was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Kunkle, and who bore him ten children. The younger Peter was the last survivor of these ten children. The second wife's maiden name was Gaffaney, and she bore her husband eight children, all of whom are living save one, and whose names and residences we append; Cynthia, married to James Wakefield, Esq., of West Wheatfield tp.; William, living in Colony county Kansas; Lucinda (who is deceased and who was the wife of the ex-county commissioner Jere Wakefield), of West Wheatfield; Catherine, wife of the Rev. Joseph Campbell, formerly of Marion Center, but now a resident of Kansas City, Mo.; Daniel, residing here in Indiana; Samuel, of Greensburg, Westmoreland county; Martha M., the wife ! of John Baker, who formerly resided in East Mahoning, this county, later removing to Tennessee, and who now resides in Kansas City; and Edward Porter, who lives in Wisconsin. Nearly all those interested in the estate have learned of the good fortune awaiting them, but none have yet received official notice in regard to the matter, yet all profess great confidence in ultimately coming in for a fair competence. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.