Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-10-20

where he had been since leaving l., and
had not to their certain knowledge been at
c., ..t .. M
This rather perplexcd us, but at last we
determined that he must have deceived his
employers and although we did not think
that we had sufficient cause to arrest him
still we determined to track him. For this
purpose we went to Vermont and fell in
with him at Montpelier. For week we
observed his every motion, but at the end
of that time we had discovered nothing,
save that he would stay in the town one
week longer. Feeling that my friend was
fully capable of watching him alone, de-
termined to go to Boston to see if could
learn anything new; and accordingly on
| the 21st of April left, having first arranged
system of cypher, by which we could COM
municate with each other if occasion re-
quired
Early on the morning of the 22d, I was
standing on the steps of - hotel, when a
paper dropped at my feet, apparently from
one of the upper windows. STOPPING down
picked it up, but discovered that 1t was
but an empty envelope, and was about to
drop it again when the name upon it caught
my eye. 1t was that Of leading merchant
in l..
Looking up at the window, | saw to my
surprise the face of James Burnham, and
that he turned deadly pale when he saw
me. Feeling certain now that he knew my
errand, saw that it would not be safe to
let him escape longer. l Immediately de-
termined on having him arrested at all haz-
ards. Hurriedly writing II despatch, which
to the operator would read Join me in
Portland tomorrow. Immediately on re-
ceipt of this you may close the bargain
which I spoke to you about yesterday" )" but
to my friend, "James Burnham is in Boston.
Why are you not? l have clue. Shall
arrest him Immediately" / sent it to the tele-
graph Office, and then hurried to the police
station. We're l told my story in as few
words as possible, and in fifteen minutes
more was at the door of the room from
which the envelope had come. A noise as
Of some one moving rapidly about told US
that the occupant was still there.
The door of the room was not fastened,
but as the officers approached, Burnham
sprang forward to do so; but they were
too quick for him, and had entered before
he could get it Done. AS we came in he
stepped back and in no gentle tones de-
manded the cause of this intrusion. In an
swer to him, one of the officers said:
81 arrest you, James Burnhani, for the
murder of Charles Smith and the robbery of
the postofiice at l., on the night of the
10th of March last"
The effect was instantaneous. He turned
deadly pale and sank into chair, near by,
but after O moment reused himself and
said:
"You have mistaken your man. My name
| is not James Burnham, but William Chase.
| We considered this however, as but an
| OF tn Ittl ll,rn nc hn ~ ~.
| ly led away. The search which followed
brought to light considerable money in
bills, number of checks, many of them
payable to merchants in l., and some
of them from citizens in l., payable to
persons living in Boston.
| immediately telegraphed the particulars
of the arrest to my friend, and he joined
me the next morning but strangest of all
James Burnham came with him, and then
saw it was mistaken identity. But it was
not to be wondered at, for | think that
never saw two men that looked more alike
! We also tclegraphed to the landlord al
c., and learned thing we had neglec
| ted before, namely. that the man who had
passed the torn bill went by the name Of
| William Chase.
Little more remains to be told. The
man, finding there was no hope for him
made confession soon after his arrest. II
appeared he was a notorious criminal, who
after some bold deed, had been lying for O
time in the country, and hearing that valu
able mail matter would arrive from c.
had determined on a little professional busi
ness, and had accordingly come to l.,
There he saw me receive large sum OF
money on the 14th of March, and had that
evening, after l shut up, entered the Office
and removing the keys from my pocket
and getting possession of the revolver, rob
bed me as described, and made off with the
booty, still retaining the keys, which We
found in his possession. From the Office hi
had gone up the road, met the stage, anc
finding that he could not accomplish hi:
purpose without committing the murder
had done so, and then opening the bag hat
just time to secrete himself when the doctor
came along. BY wide circuit he came
back to Boston, and arrived there by an
other train the same evening did. WheI
picked up the envelope he recognized m,
and made up his mind that he had bette
leave and was preparing to do so when ar
rested.
A few more days saw me back 20 L
and my innocence fully established, but
could not be prevailed upon to again as
sumo the duties of post master, and IN
former assistant was appointed. As 70
William Chase lie was executed the follow
ing July.
e--