The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-07
A PENN. YAM SENSATION.
The Defaulting Treasurer Of Yates
County Captured.
Hoping with His Ward-Travels About the
ta World and Il Finally Arrestsd oT
a.- 81. In San Francisco. Ftft

PENN YAM, N. T., march = 400 -
Defsulting bank cashiers and faithless public
servants Of all kinds are 30 common nowadays
that 1t would seem that honest onicials are the
exception rather than the rule Probably an In
stance OF betrayed trust, presenting sad results
almost unparalleled, 10 that Of the defaulting
Treasurer OF Yates county, who absconded nearly
q year ago. and has just arrived in this village In
the custody of tho Sheriff. he having been detected
and arrested in san Francisco last month.
For four successive terms James Il. Burns had
been elected to Ill the position OF Treasurer OF this
county. He was man OF more than ordinary local
influence, OF excellent family, splendid attain
ments, and was held up as model in every par
ticuar in this community. He was the head Of
family consisting OF q wife ana three sons. His
wife was q lady from Newark, N. j. where her con-
nections are OF the highest. The Burnses lived In
fine style here, and the crash that proved their
ruin year ago could hardly be realized by even
the most confirmed gossips.
A few years ago neighbor Of Mr.. Burns, named
Cooley, died, and soon afterward Mrs. Cooley fol.
lowed her husband to the grave. They were in
comfortable circumstances and left several chill
dren. Mr.. Burns was appointed guardian Of the
minor Cooley children and executor Of the estate.
Cynthia Cooley, twenty-five years Of age at the
time Of her parents death, was the only child who
was OF age. She was q remarkably beautiful young
lady, blonde, and highly accomplished withal
Mr.. Burns was then about forty years Of age, OF
fine bearing, and one OF the handsOmest men in
the county. Between him and Miss Cooley, who
had become q member Of an uncle's family since
her parents died, there sprang up an intimacy
which ripened into the warmest attachment II
Burns had been young, unmarried man, he could
not have been more devoted in his attentions to
Miss Cooley. This naturally gave rise to much
scandal, destroyed the happiness Of the Burns
family and drove Miss Cooley entirely from society
Soon Burns remembered certain friends and rela-
tves OF his the Eastern States, and early every
Summer he would leave Penn Yam for the pur-
pose of visiting them. simultaneously with his
departure Miss Cooley would disappear, and some
weeks would pass by before either Of them was
seen again. The conduct Of Burns began to Gre
Rte alarm among his friends, and he was remOn-
ytrated with in vain. His bondsmen became un-
easy and investigation into his accounts being
talked Of when, early in May last, he went away,
saying that he was going to Rhode Island to see
his friends, usual. When he departed he left
. sealed letter with his deputy, with instructions
that II he was not back by the latter part OF June
1t should be given to Judge Briggs, one of his
b0ndsmen, as 1t contained information about mat
ters he wanted the Judge to attend to. Two weeks
after Burns went East Cynthia Cooley left town.
The last Of June came around and neither OF them
had been heard or Grave whisperings were heard
every side. The letter Burns had left was given
10 Judge Briggs and then it was for the first time
revealed that the County Treasurer was de-
faulter to the amount of $4,000. The letter also
stated that he had left to return no more, and
granted . power Of attorney to Judge Briggs to
settle his aalrs and said that the writer had left
ON account OF domestic unhappiness.
Although 1t had been generally felt that i'm
pending evil awaited Burns, the news Of his defal-
cation could scarcely be believed, but an examina
true. or the amount Of deficiency over SIS 200
due the State. His assets were found to amount
TO only $4,000 leaving $4,000 to be made GOOD by
Some effort was made to get track Of Burns and
his fair but fratl companion, bat to no purpose:
Photographs Of the parties were sent TO dinerent
points, IN hope that they might be detected there
BY. Nothing was heard OF the fugitives until the
tho following despatch:-
SAN Francisco, Feb 3 1873
Burns deiauiting Treasurer is here. Do you want
n% 4 send q Of Poee
The Sheriff responded, and told the authorities
TO hold Burns. On the Attn Of February another
despatch was received from Crowley saying that
that So 600 In gold and government bonds had been
found upon him.. On the 18th OF February the
men, started for san francisco and arriving the re
on the 10th took Burns In custody. The meeting
between the defaulter and former friend IS said to
have been most Affecting. He grasped the hand Of
Sheriff Dinturr and wept like child. As soon as
he could articuate q word he exclaimed, "lm SO
He was then seized with commissions, and it was
some time before he was restored to reason.
Burns Is man about forynve years O. age wnen
reaching almost to his waist and his hair was very
black. When arrested he had shaved of his beard
and his hair was very gray. HIS appearance now
ID that Of a man Of sixty.
The manner in which his arrest was brought
The news OF his defalcation and flight had
reached two residents OF San Francisco, formerly
OF Penn Yam, named Lawrence and Lee: The latter
had been scheolmate of Miss COoley's and both
knew Burns well. Lawrence, in the latter part Of
January last met Burns In the streets OF San Fran
change in his appearance. Following him, he
found that he was stopping at the Brooklyn Hotel.
and the two proceeded to the hotel to make GER
tain their suspicious. They met both Burns and
but she insisted that he was mistaken in her
identity. burns, however at once exclaimed II
told you so, Cynthia; knew they would find
usl" and burst into violent lit OF weep
ing. The police authorities, being informed OF
the presence of the fugitive, refused to take
hold OF the matter although Burns manifested
desire to be taken INTO custody. Word coming
from the Sheriff OF this county TO hold Burns, he
was taken in charge by Chief Cowley and refused
when her companion was arrested deserted him
and started Tor Elmira- telegram preceded her,
arrested. Her trunk contained q quantity OF
clothing belonging to Burns but no bonds or
money were found and she was released; she is at
present In Elmira, at the house OF her brother-in-
law, prominent citizen of the place.
On the 22d Of February the Sheriff started home
with Burns and arrived.in Penn Yam on saturday
last He was admitted to bail in the sum OF 1000.
A few minutes after it became known In the Wl-
lagc that Burns was back hundreds OF people
Hooked to the Benham Heuse, where he had been
conducted. 1t was Impossible to get within block
Of the house. One OF the sons OF the defaulting
Treasurer was the FIRST person at the hotel, and
the meeting is described as having been touching
In the extreme. The boy threw his arms about
his fathers neck, and the commingied tears OF the
obliged to use force to separate them, and locked
Burns in room by himself. Shortly thereafter he
became delirlous and imagined he was still III his
cell In San Francisco. He was removed to the
home OF his brother-inaw to-day, where he lies In
critical state, attended BY the wife he cruelty
covers and does right hereafter she Will forgive
both him and his paramour. Proceedings In bank
ruptcy will be commenced as soon as Burns L. able
a. and IN hAa rfn mr.