Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-01-02
MISCELL A N ".
From the Cleavelsnd Herald.
One of my Clients"
{THE REAL HERO OF THE STORY IN THE
ATLANTIC MoNTHLY.")

ATLANTIC MoNTHLY.")
Monthly is an extraordinary story or sketch,
under the above title, which has been re-
ceived with general incredulity by the pub
lie, although ii is said to be partially vouch-
ed for by one of the publishers OF the
Monthly. The sketch purports to have
been written by a lawer who had as his eli
ent Mr.. Sidney"
The " Mr.. Sidney Of the story is no
myth, so far, at least. as the leading por-
tions Of his history is concerned.
lie was man who had few years ago
filled large space in the history Of the
time, from his relations to one of the most
remarkable cases known in the criminal an
mails of the West. He was also well
known resident of this city, where his family
now reside. In short, The " Mr.. Sidney
of the story is no other than the late Sid
ney c. Burton, of this city. famous for his
connection with The " Martha Washingion"
case. There is no misiaking the identity
of the two characters and their histories.
In the year 1851 Sidney C. Burton
shipped a quantity of skins valued AT $500,
to house in Cincinnati. These skins were
said to be shipped on the steamer Martha
Washington for New Orleans. While on
her way dewn the river the steamer took
fire near Island No 65, January l4lh. 1852,
and was entirely consumed, with allher car
60 and number of passengers. All the
officers and crew, except the carpenter, es-
capped. The books were lost. The boat
and cargo were very hearily insured in va
rious offices, but circumstances led the in
suraDce companies to withhold payment
until further investigation was made.
Mr. Burton applied to his Cincinnati con-
slgnees for the value of the skins. They
declined payment until the insurance could
be recovered. Mr.. Burton doubted the
fact Of the shipment of his shins, and soon
obtained xaat he deemed sufficient evidence
fhd neither his skins, nor the other prop
erty alleged to have been shipped on the
steamer, bad ever been shipped. He again
demanded payment, which was again re-
fused, and he then sci TO work to discover
and expose the conspiracy suspected to be
Connected with the affair.
In the summer of 1852 L. L. Filey of
Cincinnati, one OF the suspected parties,
died On his death bed it is said he con-
iessed that there had been no merchandise
shipped on the Martha Washington, but
ihas the boxes and barrels contained moth
sng but sticks, stones, and rubbish. Mr..
Burton gave up his whole energies TO the
TASK Of ferrefing out the crime Of the con-
splraors. and 10 so doing claimed that he
hsd deovsred conspiracy of gigantic pro-
Eerasns, including among its numbers men
hlsA commercial and Official rank, and
embracing within its scope the crimes of
iofsery, arson and murder.
William Kssane, one of the leading con-
spiraiors, was brought to trial at Lebanon.
ohio' and afterward at Cincinnati, on the
caarge of conspiring to burn the steamer,
nnieh involved also the charge of murder.
ne was convicted, but obtained a new trial
ana was acquitted. The other alleged con-
sp'raiors were also tried at Columbus and
.equ'lted. Mr.. Burton claimed that owing
ne numbers, power and influence Of the
- Lsplfators he could not obtain Justice, but
.n;, - determined never to relinquish the pur-
'''' po'l he had brought the guilty to pun