The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-10-22
AN UNGRArEFUL sCoUNDREL.
sunday school Superintendent who DE
ceivcd bis Pastor and his Friends.


POM JERvIs, oct. 2l.-In 1867, Capt. Ira
s. Bush, Superintendent OF the Presbyterian
sunday School in this place, and prominent
man In business and social circles, was arrested
on charges made by persons in sullivan county
Of passing counterfeit money. Bush was man
ufacturcr Of carriages, and In the year above
mentioned made several extended trips through
Sullivan county. Following his visits, more or
less counterfeit money in denominations Of
tens and twenues, were found In the possession
of store keepers, hotel keepers, and others.
These bills In every case were identified as hav-
ing been offered by Capt. Bush. The venerable
Or. Fairchild was then pastor Of the Presbyte-
rian Church here Bush was his particular
friend and much-oytd parishioner. When the
Captain was arrested he confessed as follows TO
his pastor. who had denounced the arrest as a
| foul conspira y against Hush.
The Ca, tain said thht being considerably en-
| In New York with tue hope Of obtaining AID.
Failing he was downcast and sad. In getting
on the ferry boat at PaNonia ferry he struck his
! he discovered thatit WIS package con aiming a
large quantity OF nj notes. On reaching home
he found that the bills were counterfelt-. After
| severe struggle with hi. conscience hc Welded
| to tine tcmptHuun to Use the spurious money
sufficient tO meet existing demands. In ending TO
| redeem It AZ his carries possible moment. The
! discovery Of the cheat aud MS arrest destroyed
ms plans.
heartfelt confession OF man VINO had been ter
! riblY ten pied and who had fallen. lie there
fore pledged Bush his influence ami support and
the prayers of he church In his difficulties. A
| large number Of Bu-h's ureth EN- did not cling
to him, however. rupture ia the congregation
| followed, and DR.. Fdirchid resigned his charge.
| He and others entered heart and soul into the
| cause Of Capt. bush.
The parties prosecuting refused to settle. The
| trial was delayed for four years through the
| efforts Of Bush's friends, during which time all
| the bogus bills were secured and destroyed, and
when tue case came to trial In 1870 at Monticello,
| no positive evidence could be prod uced against
| Bush. lie was convicted, nevefthe less, and Sc n
| fenced to two years Imprisonment in state
| prison.
Shortly after his time expired Bush returned
| to Port Jervis and engaged In the carriage bust
| ness again. 80 broken and contrite did be seem
| that he was taken again into the church, and
| had regained the confidence he formerly en-
| 1oyed in the community, when the discovery
was made ON Tuesday that he had absconded
| with his family and taken between 5000 and
| $4,000 belonging to friends who were his sup
| port during his trial. lie left numerous other
| debts.
1t has also transpired that Capt Bush Is
| brother-tn-law OF tue notorious Tom Ballard
| with whom he was In partnership In 1867 IN ut
| tering counterfeit money. lie was forced &C
leave Canada when he came here on account OF
counterieiting aud forgery aud IL IL believed
10y some that he was concerned, with Others oi
Ballard gang, IN the robbery of the Port Jervi;
Bank IN 1862 when 5000 was secured Severa
notes that Bush negotiated here recently art
said TO be foTgeries