The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-01-13
THE FOUR BLACK TRUNKS.
THE CLEARING UP OF THE MYSTE-
RY THAT ENYELOPED THEN.


Mr.. Grinnclrs Friends Friend has some
Suspicious BasanGc-It IL Marked tor
Porfeitufe-Mr. GrinncIl Utters n special
Warrant that Genes Too Late-The
vinIs Of MIR. Grinncii's Wrath.
The obscurity that has until this moment en-
vcloped the history OF the remarkable four black
trunks, concerning which TnE Sun gave the public
some Interesting information q few days ago, Ia rap
idly clearing up. On the Monday after New Years
day scene occurred At the Custom House which at
once placed amlable Mr.. Grinne In an interesting
position, ind explained the mysterious manner In
which the trunks had been tobtaiued as well a. the
manner In which they were disposed Of The scene
occurred In the room Of Surveyor Cornell and there
wero present. besides Mr.. Grinnel, Mr. Cornell
Mr.. shsfer, q special deputy OF the Treasury Dc.
partment: Col. Burt, chief deputy OF tho depart
mcnt Mr. Draper, the Custom House auctoneer
and q number Of civilians, and other Custom House
othcers.
Mr.. pRAPRR's FRIENDS TRUNKS.
Tw0 weeks 80 ago informer sent q letter IA
the Secretary OF the Treasury, at Washington, dc
seribing certain trunks that would srrivc n The
steamer Slain from Bremen, and asserting that n
they were properly searched II would be found that
under the laws they would deserve forfeiture. Sur.
veyor Cornell put the matter into the hands OF Chief
Deputy Burt and Deputy Shafer and they were duly
the dock In Hoboken at the arrival OF the Main
They searched the vessel and found the suspected
baggage There were eight pieces In all, belonging
TO Mr.. N. Barn well; four OF them were passed as all
right but the other four the mysterious black
trunks. They were not leather, but evidently made
Of wood. painted and on them were the letters N
X. In white. They were opened, and fret Of all
some very fine silks and laccs came to the surface
Now, silks and laees are not properly part OF gen
tlcmans attire, 90 the passenger list referred to-
and there. sure enoush, they aaw
Nm. BARswEIL AND FAMILY.
They asked Mr.. Barnweii " his wife was present At
which he appeared very embarrassed, and finally de-
MED that his family board, that he had ever
asserted they were. Mr.. Barnwels nfhrmatons
and the passenger list being at total variance and
the presence Of the silks and laces In his trunks not
accounted for Deputies Burt and sSaer closed these
four pieces OF baggage. marked the ominous letters
T.. =" upon them, aud ordered them to be con-
yeyed to the Storage Rooms In New. York. While
this was taking place, brother OF Mr.. Draper. Mr.
Grinnelrs pet auchonecr stood on the deck Of the
vessel, and old oil In his power to have the trunks
oiosc 3 scrutiny. The deputies were de.
termined. however, and, having finished their bust
,sss ocs rseneI Sr 70 Msw In S s0ST, ~ 'wo hours
marked for removal was stil lying on the deck OF
been complied with, upon which Auctioneer Ora
pers brother stepped forward and replied that
SPECIAL WARRANT
had BEEN issued by Collector Grnnell for removing
the iruuks 10 appointed place In the upper part
New York city, there to be examined by special In.
speotors. But on inquiry II was learned that this
warrant had not yet arrived, and knowing that, In
ca.e was to be issued II could be served In New
York % well a. In Hoboken they resolved for safety a
sake 70 have the suspected baggage at tr~c re-
moved TO Its proper destination. Despite n. y i'm.
precautions on the part OF Messrs. Barnweli and
Draper this was at once effected. The four black
trunks were taken to Surveyor Cornells apartments Is
ana deposited In the rotunda adjoining them There
they remained until the following Monday morning.
WRATH or rHx AHIABLE COLLECTOR.
In the meantime Mr.. Barnwell, who had no doubt
by this time found his lost family, paid Il visit to
Auctioneer Draper, and Auctioneer Draper in furi.
h>sts a~-~ N htA dear friend. Mr.. Grinnell On
Monday morning Deputies Shafer and Burt were
summoned to the apartments OF sir. Cornell There
they saw Mr.. Grnnell. Mr.. Draper, and number OF
others. As We said above, Mr.. GrnnelI was terri.
bly, enraged. Had he not been such amiabic gen.
uenan he would doubtless have lost his self-con-
troll, and been absolutely proane. The walls Of his
wrath were chiefly outpoured upon Mr.. Shater, be-
cause lie had advised the removal OF the trunks from
Hoboken, but be said nothing TO Col Burt who had
assisted Mr. Shafer, nor to Surveyor Cornell, who
had approved OF the action. II served the fellow
right for he ought to have known that Mr.. Grin.
nens friends may break with impunity those laws
which other citizens must obey. The upelot OF the
matter was that the trunks disappeared from Mr..
CornelVs apartments, and that they have not been
heard from since. But Mr. Barnwell looks happy.