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Below are some of the most interesting or important sources cited in this presentation. Much more material exists, especially at the local and family levels. As you pursue the records of specific relatives who may have been impacted by the hoax, be sure to study area newspapers, courthouse quitclaim deeds and civil suits, local museum or library vertical files, published family histories, and your own family papers.
Hundreds of newspaper articles covered the Buchanan estate debacle. Major news was picked up by syndicates which reprinted the items with varying headlines across newspapers big and small nationwide, sometimes even internationally. The selection below represents a range of features that emphasized assorted aspects of the scam. The newspapers chosen for this list are available to view in the Library of Congress Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room or online through the Library of Congress E-Resources Online Catalog.
You can further explore the topic of the "Buchanan Estate Scam" using the following search strategies:
The following materials can be accessed the Library's Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room. The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.
"Local Resident May Share in an Immense Estate"
Morgan County Democrat, McConnelsville, Ohio, 16 July 1931, page 1, column 3.
"Heirs Seek Share of Buchanan Millions"
The Frontier, O'Neill City, Holt County, Nebraska, 20 August 1931, page 6, columns 3-4.
"Keys to Fortune: Relics May Win Slice of Estate"
Indianapolis (Indiana) Times, 2 September 1931, page 2, columns 2-3.
"Teacher May Get Share in Estate"
Evening Star, Washington, DC, 30 September 1931, page 6, column 8.
"Buchanan 'Estate' Case Now Is Taken to Court"
Indianapolis (Indiana) Times, 30 August 1932, page 3, columns 2-3.
"Straight from Washington" column, by Stephen M. Young (Congressman-at-Large)
Butler County Press, Hamilton, Ohio, 7 June 1935, page 3, columns 4-5.
The subscription resources marked with a padlock are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.
"$850,000,000 to Be Divided" External
Hammond Lake County Times, Hammond, Indiana, 6 April 1931, page 6, columns 4-5.
"Buchanan Heirs to Fight for Fortune" External
New Castle (Pennsylvania) News, 6 April 1931, page 7, columns 1-3.
"Worn Family Bible May Be Aid in Securing Part of Buchanan Estate" External
Abilene (Texas) Morning News, 24 May 1931, page 10, columns 3-4.
"County Residents May Get Share in Estate of Buchanan Brothers" External
Olean (New York) Times, 18 June 1931, page 7, columns 2-3.
"Buchanan Estate Dream Abandoned by Houston Grocer" External
Big Spring (Texas) Daily Herald, 19 July 1931, page 9, column 4.
“One-Half Interest in My Claim in the Buchanan Estate" External
Fayetteville (Arkansas) Daily Democrat, 2 December 1931, page 5, column 1.
"Large Estate Called Mirage" External
Port Arthur (Texas) News, 19 March 1936, page 22, column 3.
"Buchanan 'Fortune' Sought Here in Vain" External
New York Times, 11 July 1931, page 10.
"Clue to Huge Legacy Hoax" External
New York Times, 6 August 1931, page 7, column 2.
"New Claimant of Fortune Disclosed: William Buchanan Burk Joins Other Heirs
Seeking Share in Estate Worth $850,000,000" External
Cincinnati (Ohio) Enquirer, 22 August 1931, page 22, column 5.
"Roosevelt Warns of Fraud in 'Buchanan Estate' Myth" External
New York Times, 10 November 1931, page 21, column 3.
"Roosevelt Warns of Estate Swindle" External
New York Times, 25 January 1932, page 11, column 1.
"Say Whose $120,000,000 Baby Is This Anyhow?" External by Flora G. Orr
Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona, 16 June 1935, page 29.