Talk:List of Birmingham firsts

First millionaire?

It was reported in July 1901 that Alabama Great Southern Railroad shop laborer J. D. Tyson was one of 18 nieces and nephews set to inherit a fortune of over $40 million from "Josiah Tyson", who had found gold on his sheep ranch in Australia and died suddenly in 1900 with no other heirs. (link)

The claim may be conflated with the story of James Tyson who built up a sizable fortune raising cattle on the Bendigo gold lands before his death in December 1898. He died childless and without a will. His holdings were sold off for £2.36 million, which was divided among living relatives there. --Dystopos (talk) 15:26, 8 April 2023 (PDT)