Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-08
the FRAUDS AT THE DEAF
i'., 5s,s AND DUMB ASYLUM,
Arrest Of James NJ. Blackburn
,E0ITU the Architect. arq
He is Charged with En-
bezzlement.

| frauds alleged to have been committed b,
James NJ. Blackburn, architect and super
intendent of the new Deaf and Dumb Asy
lum. These rumors included everythin.
from misappropriation of moneys to lar
ceny of bricks and lumber.
While we were anxious to publish tn,
facts as then known to us, yet we with
held, in view of the fact that the Governor
had ordered and was carrying on a clos,
investigation of Blackburn's affairs.
Yesterday this investigation eliminated
in the arrest of Blackburn on warrant
Issued by Samuel Gulick. Justice of the
Peace, in the hands of Constable Chris
Bartling, and on an affidavit made by At.
torney General West, a copy of which we
append: -.-
State Of Ohio, Franklin County. IS: ,...
On this 9TH day of November, AID. 1867.
before me, the undersigned, a Justice OF
the Peace, within and for said county, per-
sonally came William II. West, Attorney
General OF said State, who being duIy
sworn according to law, deposes and saws
that heretofore. to-wit: On the 9TH of
April, AID 1864. one James M. Blackburn
was at said county duly appointed by the
then Governor of said State to the office of
Architect and Superintendent of the new
Deaf and Dumb ASYLUM Buildino.
authorized by the act of the Gen.
eral Assembly of the State of Ohio.
passed March 23d, A. d. 1864, entitled ian
act to provide for the erection of a new
building for the institution for the Deaf and
Dumb" which Office and appointment the
said James M. Blackburn then and there
accepted, and the duties of which he then
-.
until the 30th day of October, A. d. 1867.
exercised and discharged. And affiant
further says that the said James M. Black
burn, while exercising and discharging the
duties of his said Office, during the period
aforesaid, and under color thereof, received
into his care and keeping large sums, to-
wit: more than twelve thousand dollars of
public money and funds of the State of
Ohio appropriated for the erection and con-
bursementa of which said money and
funds, for the purpose aforesaid, he
was then and there charged, as
a part of the duties of his said
office enjoined by law, and by vir-
tue of said appointment. And after
ward, to-wit: On or about the 1st day of
january, A. D., 1867, at the county afore
said, the said James NJ. Blackburn, of the
SAID public moneys received by him, for
the purpose aforesaid, under color of his
said office, did unlawfully, fraudulently,
corruptly and feloniously embezzle and
appropriate to his own use, contrary to the
form of the statute in such case made and
provided. In relation of the obligations and
duty of his said office and appointment.
and against the peace and dignity of the
state OF Ohio. w. I'll. WEST.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
9TH day OF November, A. D. 1867.
.-.. - SAM'L GULICK, j. P.
Blackburn was very much depressed, ap-
because of his arrest. When ia
ken before the Justice he waived an exam
ination and gave bail in the sum of So 1000
to answer at the approaching term of the
Court of Common Pleas. C.P. L. Butler
and F. A. Marble are his bondsmen.
The Governor informs us that Black
burns frauds will not exceed $4,000.
He has been in the habit of hiring labor
ers, say at 81 rs per day, having them sign
receipts for 81 per day, and putting the
odd twenty-five cents in his pocket. He
has clerk in his office at Cleveland, and
has him entered on the payrolls here, and
has been drawing pay for him as a carpen-
ter.
There Is no development, as yet, that the
charge of his receiving for bricks and lum-
Der as for the use of the State, and having
them delivered in another portion of the
town, is true, though it is asserted outside
with considerable persistency.
The whole matter has created considera-
BILE excitement here as the accused stood
high both here and at his home in Cleve-
land, and he was the last man who would of
been suspected of such crime.
In addition to the criminal charge, a civ
IL suit has been commenced in the name of
the State for the recovery of the money
thus wrongfully appropriated.
"WANTs A SITUATIoN."-How often do
we hear the above, and when we glance
around, who do we find as the applicant?
Often robust, hearty young men, who en-
ploy two or three hours a day in going
around asking their friends if they have
heard of anything that will suit them, and
the balance ofthe time in loafing in saloons
or on the street corners. The question is,
these young men really want situations?
d. they really want work that they may
earn livelihood? In many cases these
questions might with great truth-al-
though it may seem paradoxical, be an
swered in the negative. Many manifest
a disposition to work, but they are so
select and fastidious In their notions of
what constitutes legitimate and gentle
manly labor, that we are alarmed for
fear there are not openings for all of
them. Indeed, we are quite certain
there are not. Most of our merchants
already have a sufficient number of en-
ployes. The professions are all full, ex-
cept in the supper stories" Public Off
ces are already filled; and hence there is
no chance of getting place there. The
question, then, is--What is to be done !?
We will tell you. Look here, young man,
answer us candidly, have you not fine
health, free use of your muscles, and have
you not frequently boasted of your endu-
rance and strength? Well now, listen
This being the case is there anything to be
gained by loafiing on corners, and inform
ing your friends that you are on a lookout
for a situation? Well, there are open ways
all around you, where you have the op-
Dortuuity of acquiring useful trade
and earning an honest livelihood
There are workshops here where you
can engage to learn a trade. There are
openings in the railroad machine shops
Many of you could obtain situations with
good carpenters, where you would learn q
trade that would be of benefit to you
There are smiths in the city. where some Of
you can become Vulcanites, aud harden
your muscles in good honest work. And
then, when there is no longer room fol
more in these occupations, there are thou.
Sands of aoros Of idle land in the Westerr