, 1872-12-16

ST. LOUIS, Dec. IA good deal Of commo-
tion Was created during the past week in st.
Joseph, Mo-, in consequence OF the disclosure
County appropriated S15, 900 to assist in secur-
ing the location Of the Northwestern Asylum at
that place, and quite severe reflections have been
cast on the Board of Commissioners OF the Asy-
lum. The Board met at St. Joe yesterday, to
investigate the matter. Tho following facts
we're brought to light: The Buchanan County
Court, on the 25th Of May last, made order
donating $4,000 to the Asylum, provided the
Commissioners located it in situation at or
near st. Joe; that the Court appointed John L..
Bittenger agent to deliver the funds to the
Commissioners; that Bttenger employed
Nathaniel G. Claiborne lawyer Of st. Louis,
to take charge Of the matter, and secure, If
that on the location Of the Asylum at that place,
Bittenger paid Claiborne the $15.0 900. taking his
receipt therefor.
Bittenger testified before the Commissioners
that be never saw the order Of the Court until
about six weeks ago, therefore he did not know
it's nature; that he declined to act as agent for
the Court until he was authorized by them to
employ an attorney to carry out their purpose;
that he employed Claiborne because he was be-
ieyed to have influence with the Commissioners.
and when the Asylum was located at St. Joseph
he paid the money to him this was all he had:
to do with the matter.
Claiborne testified that he WAS engaged with.
Bittenger to act as the attorney of Buchanan.
to0uk9 duA lCCe4s0 LILO P4V, ,uoNi IL LILO 11oy 4tAA4
was located in St: Joseph. The Asylum wass
located there, and he received the money and:
used it for his own benefit, considering it II
legitimate fee; he never saw the order of tho
Court until within the past month; had he
known it's real character, he would not have
taken the money, under any circumstances.
The Commissioners to-day examined the.
members OF the County Council, and all admitted.
that the order of the Court WAS never communi--
Gated to them officially or Individually, and all
the other witnesses unhesitatingly stated that
they knew nothing to criminate the Commits
sioners or in any way connect them With the
action Of the Court or the disposition OF the
money.
The Commissioners adopted resolutions, to-
night, embodying the above statement, and fur
ther stating that they never received this money
or any OF it, that they have been unable to trace
it beyond Claiborne, and found no foundation
for the rumors that have reflected upon the.
character Of the Board. They also claim that
$4,000 is due from Buchanan County to the
Asylum, and when the new County Court meets
in January, " q. McHenry, President OF the
Board OF Commissioners, will make demand for
the money. The new County Judges and the
Circuit Attorney will try to recover the money
and prosecute the guilty parties:
Bttanger and Claiborne are both reputable
Joseph Herald, prominent Republican mem
ber of the last Legislature, and the latter .
prominent criminal lawyer Of this city and
Democratic member Of the last Legislature
The affair has created good deal Of comment
in all parts Of the State. The mystery IN the
matter IT, why the County Court donated the
money to the Asylum, and failed to notify
Bittenger of the real nature OF their order Or
communicate the fact to the Commissioners.