The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-22
UNCLE SAM ROBBED.
An Officer Runs Away with Thir-
teen Thousand Dollars, .i.o
He sports q Heavy Style-.-He Falls
in LOve-..nlakes Preparations to
be Married, but ObstRuctions
Meet Him,
From the Detroit Advertiser. April Is.

About three weeks ago a young man
named James Burns, recently promoted
from the ranks to a Second Lieutenancy
in the LIST regular cavalry, made his APP
pearance in this city. He bad been sent
here by the Secretary of War to report to
Col. John Fl. Knight, the mastering and
discussing officer at this post. When the
gay and gallant Lieutenant first came to
Detroit he was as poor as Lazarus, scarcely
dollar had he, scarcely farti,ing could
he call his own. But mark the change!
Scarcely had the gentleman been in De-
troit a week, when money flowed like
water from his hands. He gave cham
paigne suppers, he ate luxuriant dinners,
he feasted on the fat of the land. His
clothes became fine, his air became sport
i've, bis walk became dignifed. He drove
fast horses and lived fast generally. He
took trips to Kalamazoo and elsewhere,
aud he there showed the unsophisticated
that be could roll in gold. Money mon
ey was to him nothing. He had oceans
OF it. Why! he could tear down Kala-
mazoo aad build the town again, and his
exhaustless pocket would scarcely feel it.
THIS startling contrast between the James
Burns of three weeks since and the James
Burns OF the present is explained by the
fact, that he had been entrusted with the
pleasant little sum of $l3, 900, with which
bis superior officer had ordered him to pay
the troops now stationed at St. Johns. Re-
turning from Kalamaz 70 two or three
days sinoe, he established himself at the
Russell House, where he continued to sport
a majestic style of living. Scarcely, how
ever, had he returned to the city when he
became deeply enamored of a fair and
lovely damsel employed at the Russell.
His soul was stricken with admiration, he
loved the fair maiden he worshipped her;
would she be his oh! would she? She
would never know harm moro if she would
but marry him. He fell upon his knees
and besought her by all she held sacred
and dear, to marry him. His ecstacies
were quite unnecessary and his heroics
thrown away; of course she would marry
him, she loved him, by her soul she loved !
him. Accordingly the preparations we're
Immediately made, and the affair was to I
take place straightway. The young gill
wished to be married in the city, but the
gallant lover desired it should OCCUR in a
town at o short distance from Detroit.
He must leave on the next day, he
assured her, for Saint Johns, whittier
his urgent duty called him, and they would
get off at some town on the way and
be happily married. he must have it SO,
and, placingya kiss on the fair, lips, and
accompanying it with $50 in greenbacxs,
to buy wedding outfit, and diamond
ring worth $40, he gained his point. The
plan was that the couple should meet on
Wednesday morning at one of the de-
pots, the girl did not clearly understand
which, and start on their tour. At half
past five yesterday morning the Lieuten-
ant arose from his couch and pursued hi,
way to the depot. The girl, with friend
who was to act as bridesmaid, by some
chance oversight the appointed hour, and
were accordingly without the means of
reaching the depot Setting their wits to
work, however, they concluded to walk to
the depot, and obtain some stray juvenile
to carry their baggage. They started. but
whittier should they go? Was it the Mil
waukee depot, or was it the Central de-
pot? For their life they could not tell
which, but finally decided upon going to
the Central They reached that point
only in time to see their train on its way.
Slowly and sadly they wendell their way
homeward, but if the present suspicious
circumstances in the conduct of the young
man justly indicate his character, she may
congratulate herself upon her escape.
The telegraph was put in work by Col.
Hill as soon as his attention was called 10
the matter. He telegraphed to every
station between Detroit and St. Johns.
and to other places, but could learn moth.
ing of him. Where he has gone is a mys-
terry. Indeed, his whole conduct from he.
ginning to end is mystery. ,e.,af
The character of Burns is said to have
been very loose. Not only was he lax in
his morals, but entirely incompetent to
perform well his duties. His rolls were
poorly kept, and indeed all his duties were
only half performed. He is an Irishman
by birth, five feet eight inches in height,
Of stout build and without any beard.
Uncle Sam may, however, congratulate
himself upon the fact that the improvident
scoundrel did not remain few, days
longer, for, had he done SO, he would
have received an additional amount Of
some $45. 600, which would undoubtedly
have disappeared in similar manner. i
ia--TWentv-cix aneeCheS were made In