Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-12-03
OLD SERIES, VOL. IA, NO. II,
DEATH OF A CONSCIENTIOUS MIsER.


An old Dutchmaa named Shumm, who liv-
ed ia one of the wrslchedes thotels that stand
IN the rear of Sheriff street, and whose appa-
rem, poverty and manifest sufferings from
dreadful case of hernia had long excited the
sympathy of his anman neghbors, died oil
alhsma and complication oi other disedses.
He was well known 10 be Of a very obstinate
aud eccentric disposition; and although ne
had been confined TO his bed for some weeks,
he not only rejected all medical aid, but per-
sisted to he last in his habit of sleeping in
the whole of his wardrobe, which consisted
chiefly Of paire breeches, that al some re-
mote era had been constructed of blue velvet,
and a sailors jacket, aud frieze overcoat;
all of which exhibited accumulated proofs Of
The old mans attachment He sent for Mr..
Van Duerson, respectable couulrymen OF
his residing in the neighborhood, who had
given him charitable relief, and privately re-
quesed him 10 make his will. To this gen
| teman's great surprise, he bequeathed vari-
Gus sums Of money, amounting altogether 10
$1,000, 10 children and grandchildren, resi-
dig in New York and Albany, and confden-
TALLY informed him where his property was
deposited. He then related TO Mr.. Van
Duerson the following remarkable facts in
his history
He stated that about twenty-five years ago,
he was porter 10 mercantile hon.e in
Hamburg, and having been long in IFS en-
| plnv fraCpoptlx taJ ,,;,
erabe sums of money foe conveyance 10
other establishments. In an hour Of evil in
fluence he was induced 10 violate his trust ),
and absconded 10 this country with a large
sum. Having arrived, he invested the grea!s
er part Of il in the purchase of two houses,
which adjored each other, and which, be-
fore he had effected an insurance on them,
were burn, TO the ground. Considering this
judgement of heaven upon his dishonesty,
he determined 10 devote the remainder Of
his life 10 a severe course of industry and
parsimony, with the single object in view of
making full restitution of the persons whom
he had injured, or 10 their defendants.
He adopted another name, and with the
, mea1s he had left, commenced business in
this city, as tobacconlst and although his
trade was retail one, and had suffered a
, heavy loss by fire, he had succeeded five
, years since in acquiring sufficient property ,c
accomplish his just and elevated purpose.
5 He then, accordingly, sold his stock in trade,
and was preparing 10 transmit the necessary
amount TO Hamburg, where the mercantile
, firm he had defrauded still con,irt-> whru
= he ascertained that i, had branch Atshlrsh.
ment or agency coun,inghouse d, p ao.I
! phia. Thilher he went and paid tn SIM u
y $4,000, being eqnvoen, 10 the -uai,a
sum he had embezzled, with ce,aiu rat,
d of interest. The latter, hoa aever, was geuer
. ousy returned 10 him by The son Ga one t.
n the partners, aud this, together with SOM
O surplus money, he has bequeaIhed as .y'
stated.
;. For The last five years he has lived in u.
ter obscuriiy, and in severe accordance wr.I
his long-formed habits Of palsimony, HI
e executor, MIR. Van Duerson, found the abov
# named sum of s37oo, principally in dou
blooms, curiously concealed in a certain pri
> vate department of the tenacious breeche
'r before specified; and j. was ascertainec
Al that the old mans case Of hernia was a cas-.
OF something far less Objectionable. Tit
'e remainder OF his money was found under tn,
'e patches Of his jacket, with The exception of {
m small sum in shiings and sixpences, dscov
IT cred in an old snuff jar, which seems 10 have
'e been the depository Of his current funds
y Albany pDper.
S,