The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-11-16
From the Daily Of Nov. IL.

From the Daily Of Nov. IL.
SUICIDE OF WILLIAM @. Cray, BY JUMP.
ING FROM THE ST.. PAUL BR1DaE.-About
noon, yesterday, the whole community was
startled by the announcement that William
@. Gray, q we'll known real estate operator
in this city, had committed suicide by jump
ing from the st. Paul Bridge, distance Of
about ninety feet, into the Mississippi river,
and that the dreadful act was caused by his
having been detected in negotiating and
forging of Ramsey County Bonds. We
have seldom known 80 much excitement in
the city. The Bridge Square was thronged
during the afternoon and evening with peo-
pie, anxious to learn the most minute par.
ticulars of the affair, and the causes. With.
out detailing the gossip of the street, we
have taken the pains to ascertain such par
ticulars as can be relied upon. 1t appears
that Mr.. Gray had been much embarrassed
for long time in his business, and subjected
to such straits that he had declared to q
banker, only few days ago, that unless he
could get relief be should make way" with
himself, and had made persistent efforts to
get money from all who were supposed to
have it to lend. Within short time he
had borrowed money, Offering the Bonds of
the county of Ramsey, in the aggregate, OF
about $40 900, to some half dozen gentle.
men, and bad also paid several debts in like
manner. Within a day or two be had
SO Id drafts to merchants, and had told
others that be expected to have them pro-
tested, and that be must have money to take
them up.
Yesterday morning, Mr.. John h. Nc
Allister came into the Office of Sanborn &
Lund, and said he was going to loan $1,000
to man in this city, for which be was to
take $4,000 Ramsey county bonds as col.
lateral security. He exhibited one of the
bonds to Mr.. Sanborn, who Immediately
pronounced it a forgery. Mr.. S. asked
him where he got it. Mr.. McAllister said
the man who was to have the money did
not wish to have it known, as he was not in
the habit of borrowing money, but learning
that it was forgery, gave the name of Mr..
Gray. Mr.. Sanborn sent boy down to
the County I'reasurer's Office, with one of
the bonds.
On presenting the bond to Mr.. Smith,
the County Treasurer, be at once pro
nounced the name of Ross Wilkinson, Pres
ident of the old Board, to be forgery, as
also his own name, and that of Alexander
Buchanan, County Auditor, and took the
bond into the Auditors Office, where the
County Commissioners were in session. Mr..
Buchanan Immediately detected the forgery,
and upon examining the books, it was
found that the number on the $500 forged
bond, corresponded with bond for only
one hundred dollars.
1t appears that the blank bonds were not
kept in the safe, but in a wooden case, and
also that the key of the room was lost about
a week ago. We may state here, that a
clerk in the Office says, that about the
time the key was lost, Mr.. Gray came into
the Office, and wanted blank bond, saying
that friend at the East wanted to purchase
some of the bonds, and wished to see them.
The Clerk, Mr.. Herrick, also states that
on going into the Office yesterday morning,
he discovered that some one had been in the
room during the night, and used the county
seal press-as it was found on the table,
instead of on the safe, where it was usually
kept. Upon learning that the bonds were
forged, the boy was requested to inform Mr..
Sanborn of the fact, and Mr.. Nicols, CHAIR
man of the Board, directed Mr.. Geo. Turn
bull, to 60 with the boy to Sanborn and
Lund's Office, and investigate the matter,
and if the person offering the bonds was
there, to arrest him.
While the boy was absent on bis errand,
Mr.. Gray came into the Office of SanbOrn
& Lund, and Mr.. McAllister told him to
wait, as he wanted to see him. Gray
waited until the boy returned, with the
County Treasurer and Geo. w. Turnbull.
We give the statement, as made to us by
Mr. Turnbulll, of his proceedings after leav-
ing the Auditors Office:
went up to Sanborn Lund's Office with
the boy-found Mr.. McAllister and Mr.. Gray
there. Took Mr.. Sanborn into the back office,
and commenced talking with him, and found
out from Mr.. Sanborn that Gray was offering
$4,000 in bonds of Ramsey county, as collateral
security for 81, 900 to Mr.. McAlster. When ]
came out Gray was at the desk apparently
looking over some papers. Gray then started
down stairs, leaving his papers on the desk
Mr.. Sanborn called Gray back to get the pa.
pers, and he returned and got them, and fol
lowed him, with Mr.. Nc Allister. When got
down stairs, walked down to front of st. Paul
Bank, Gray stopping to talk with McAllister,
getting behind the door. stepped back and
asked Gray where he got those bonds, and il
he had offered them to Mr.. McAllister as secur.
ity. He said that he received them from q
man in Minneapolis; he did not know the mans
name. told him the bonds were counterfeit
and that he would have to 20 to the Commits