River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-03-30
The Embsrrsssment OF "a Lawyer
who was supposed 20 be Very
wealthy.
New York Sun, March 22d.l

New York Sun, March 22dl
Mr.. William c. Barrett, a wclI.known
lawyer and politician, sailed from this
city on Saturday last for France, broken
in health and spirits, and an insolvent
debtor 70 several estates Of which he is
executor aud trustee. Mr.. Barrett came
to New York from Ireland thirty five
years age, and has ever since been actise.
ly engaged in the profession Of the law.
Ten years ago the firm with which he was
connected was Barrett, Brinsmade 4 Bar.
rett, the latter being George G. Barrett,
nephew Of William G. Barrett. and now
Justice of the Supreme Court. Mr.. Bar.
rett and his nephew took an active part
in the onslaught upon the Tweed ring in
1871, and George c. Barrett was elected
Justice on the reform ticket. Mr.. Amasa
A. Redfield had taken the place of Mr..
Brlnsmade some years before, and after
the election of Judge Barrett to the bench
Mr.. j. l.. Hill took the place of the Judge
and up TO last week the firm was Barrett,
RedfieId & Hill, William c. Barrett being
the head.
Notwithstanding his long residence in
the United States. Mr.. Barrett retained
strong Irish accent, and often provoked
laughter at public gatherings by his
quaint, impassioned speech. His reputa-
ton for honesty was such thai he was
named as executor in several wills and
made the trustee of several estates. His
troubles have been gradually growing for
years past, until within few weeks thev
eliminated i'll hopeless insolvency and
bankruptcy. He was very reserved in
regard to his private business, and the
members of his firm profess entire igno.
rance of its details.
On Wednesday last Mr.. Barrett's mind
was so severely agitated that his physi.
clan directed him peremptorily to go
abroad and remain away for several
months. On Thur day he executed
power Of attorney, giving charge Of all his
affairs to Nevin w. Butler of Brooklyn,
and that gentleman is busily unTayeling
the accounts. At the request of his
partners Mr. Barrett also retired from
the firm. His difficulties seem to have
originated in unfortunate speculations in
stocks. lie holds amsng his assets
large quantity Of South Carolina scrip,
quoted at five in the stock reports.
On Tuesday last Mr.. Barrett conveyed
by deed to Daniel Torrance, Of 319 Fifth
avenue, the premises or the south side Of
Thirty.ninth street, 235 feet west of Lex
ington avenue; also premises on the
north side of Thirty-fourth street, $50
feet west of Second avenue. This con.
veyance was to secure money due to Tor.
rance.
Mr.. Redfeld says that Mr.. Barrett 5
departure was not secret, but well known
TO his Immediate friends and nnighbors.
and that it was expected that he would
return in the autumn. He did not be-
lieye that Mr.. Barrett's Indebtedness to
the estates in his care would amount to
100000, or anywhere near that sum.
Among those who are said to be suf-
ferers by Mr.. Barrett's departure is Mrs.
De Grasse Livingston, formerly the widow
Of Mr.. Messier, gentleman of consider
able wealth, who died about twenty-five
years ago, leaving a son, Louis Messier,
aged about six aud thirty, and daught.
er. Gertrude, ten years younger, who is
still unmarried. Mrs. Messier was the
eldest daughter Of Robert Hyslop, a
hardware merchant Of this city, who be
queathed to his numerous children con.
siderable property. Mr.. Barrett was the
trustee Of the Messier estate.