The New York herald., 1873-10-23
TEE TAR-AND-rEATHER ENIGMA.
The California Yarn Found To Be False-Is DR..
Banks Looking for Kelsey i-That Eternal
Inquest-state Aid Hoped For.
HUNTINGTON, L. J., Oct. %, 1873.

HUNTINGTON, L. =, Oct. ~, 1873
The latest report concerning "new develop
ments IN the Kelsey case viii IN all human proba-
bility 90 the way OF those tnat have preceded 1t
and prove fzzle On Monday last Huntington
and oyster Bay were suddenly set agog with the
astounding rumor at the time traceabe to no
source, that Charles @. Kelsey, the missing victim
OF Huntington's apparently tragic buffoon play OF
November last, was alive in California personating
his brother George, who is supposed to have died
in the Golden State about twenty years ago, and
that the parties implicated In his disappearance
were taking steps 10 produce MIN here at the ear-
est practicable day.
The report in other hands was modified, how
ever, to the effect that information had been
ceived showing that George Kelsey was still alive,
and that his letters to his relatives here the
cover Of Information conveyed to them from
Charles. Since then have made the rounds OF all
the parties who were likely to know anything con-
cerning the truth of the rumor, and save to a
bare possibility, which win be found stated In its
order,
THE WHOLE STORY HAS COLLAPSED.
On visiting the residence OF the Kelsey brothers,
who live some distance outside the village, found
that they had q brother named George, who went
to California among the .Argonauts OF '49n as
Bret Harte calls the pioneer dlggers; that he was
about twenty years old at the time OF his depart
ure; that the family ceased to hear from him in or
about the end OF the year OF 1852. and that Tor
nearly twenty years they have regarded him, and
still do regard him, as dead. AT the same time
they have never received any proof whatever OF
his death. He was man nearly six feet IN height
and bore no personal resemblance to mis- missing
brother Charles. The family further state that
they have not received any letter purpOrting to
come from him during that interval
Calling at the residence OF DR.. George B. Banks,
who, thought, by reason Of the fact that he has
been so prominently involved in the case and ex-
hibits SO much anxiety regarding IT, would be
likely to know
WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN
to prove Kelsey's existence, was informed by an
elderly gentleman, q member OF the family, that
Dr. Banks was absent from the village and had
been gone for several days. The gentleman stated.
however tina, he had NOT heard 81 the report be-
yond what ne had seen in the HERALD on the sub
ject, and ne did not know whether DR.. Banks
him somewhat pointedy as to DR.. Banks where
aoouts, or whether his absence had anything to do
was endeavonng to find Kelsey alive, the
gentleman indicated clearly by his hesrancy
question, and learned nothing further than that
ne would probably be back In few days.
alterward inquired OF number OF other per-
sons intima es o Dr. Banks, and they all seemed
70 be well aware OF his absence, but declined to
say anything concerning the OBJECTS OF his depart
ure. scores OF people here express the opinion
whatever it may be worth unsupported by any
reasOns that his absence Is in some way connected
w1 ene ramor ana nas hs M - Locking or Kelsey
ceding freely the Doctors right to leave the vii
lage on business and part cularly his right to
PRODUCE THE REAL LIVE "CARTHALOo
at the inquest on Friday, which latter denouement
would be The happiest. as wen as most surprising,
that could result, must say that his absence mas
caused singular amount OF comment, when taken
into consideration with the pointed reusas OF his
friends to say where he Is. His acquaintances. or
those OF them subsequently sought, happen to be
included in what Is known as the tar and feather
party, and, thinking they might know something
OF the rumor, asked them concern
ing 1t. 1t mad reached them all, in va
nothing OF It's truth or falsity. The Postmaster in
formed me that no letters bearing California
pOstmark had been received at his Ollice for long
time and that he usually noticed them when they
did come.
1t IS therefore just possible that
DIR. BANKS is "LOOKlNo FOR KELSEY
but do not think II at all likely. The air all day
long in this village Is tnlcK with groundess rumors
sander wants q job OF that sort this Is a good
place ior them to emlgrate 10.
There Is every probability that the inquest viii
be closed on Friday though with sucn a very
can tell what may happen. He wants strong
evidence, that he has not yet obtained, before he
can reach much OF a result IN the matter, aud ii
that which he mas so often promised, and as often
right into court lie may want to adjourn for o
month or two more.
Meantime everybody is pleased that the HERALD
editorally urges
STATE INTERFERENCE
to be Initiated by Governor Dix and several OF the
persons prominent III the star party' have stated
to me that they hope the Governor will take action,
SO that, whether the guilty parties arc discovered
measures be relieved OF the Odium OF q crime which
they had no part in committing. The people unite
in the cry "Why don't somebody do something's
and there It ends; town and county seem