Wants To Die Poor

WANTS TO DIE POOR.

A Connecticut Man Gives $1,000,000 to Relatives.

Wanting to emulate the purposes of Andrew Carnegie and die poor, Stephen B. Roath, a Chicago millionaire, has returned to Norwich, Conn., his boyhood home, and distributed a million dollars among his relatives, says a special to the New York Herald.

"I have had fun in accumulating money," he explains. "Now I want to see what my relatives will do with it. I also wish to avoid all litigation when I am gone and to save the inheritance tax as well as administration fees. If I have done anything to make my relatives happy I want to see results and not to have anybody fighting for it when I am dead."

Mr. Roath retains $1,000,000, but says he hopes to get rid of all of it before he dies.

Mr. Roath made his fortune in Chicago. He was the first engine driver on the Norwich and Worcester railroad and went to Chicago in 1854, where he has lived since. Every summer he visited his Connecticut home, but his peculiar manner of living and his reticence regarding his financial affairs gave no indication of the fortune he had amassed. In fact, his persistency in living in cheap hotels, his quiet taste In dress and habits led his relatives to believe that he was comparatively poor.

Mr. Roath arrived in Norwich early In July. He confided his plans to Stephen B. Meach, president of the Thames National bank, who supervised the transfer and attended to all details. His fortune, which had been accumulated by investments in Chicago, consists of securities worth much above par value.