The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-06
THE MISSING AUSTRIAN BONDS.

AN OFFICE THAT IS VERY LUCRATIVE IN NEW
JERsEY-DEAD MEN TELL no TALES.
Tho suit OF the Emperor Austria against Ephraim
W. Buck. formerly County Physician OF Hudson county
N. j., to recover the sum OF s27, LOG. rs pecom-
ing most important 10 the people
Of tho State. as showing tho groa, opportun.
ties for private gain offered 10 INSCRIPTIONS
Coroners or In two counties TO County Physicians
where the latter have superseded the Coroners to
extent the case here given is only sample OF what
has frequently occurred IN times past In HUDSON
county, although the cases have been nvesti-
gated. bur on the contrary. remained completely
hushed up.
In 1873 large amount of money (about &27. 000)
stolen from the Hungarian State Treasury and
Immediately aiterward tho chief clerk the Office OF
railroad securities at Buda, Augustus Moner, fed and
came TO thus country, arriving by German steamer
In HoboKen. There he put up al the Hansa Hote,
der the name OF John Runner. He had not boon long
there when he by old acquaintance, who AZ
once recognized him but he denied identity. Find
Ing thai ne was detected he repaired 10 his room INC
notei anu shot himself County Physician Buck took
possession OF his effects, had the body inferred with
out any inquest or investigation Whatever, took out
term OF Office in May. 1878. uddcny loft Jersey City,
saying he was going TO California, aud has not been
seen nor heard from since tho vicinity OF Hudson
county. These are the naked facts IN tno case
INQUIRY ABROAD.
NOW Tor the particulars. One OF the secretaries OF
the Austrian Consul called on Mr. Crane, the under
hkcr, IN Hobokcn, and showed him photograph,
which was identified as that OF the who shot him.
scli az the Hansa Hotel The secretary then IN
quired wha, had become Of the effects OF tho dead
man, and Mr. Crane stated what had occurred at The
time OF the mans DEATH but that he could not tell
anything further. II appears that Mr. Crane, who
had been previously and Is coroner did not then
hold that Office but when ne heard Of the suicide he
went to Moilner's room in the hotel He found some
money on the person oil deceased and counted II In
the presence OF witnesses the amount reachng $500
he thcn notified County Physician Buck. who came TO
thc MOTEL took possession oil tho dead mans trunk and
oil the $780, which Mr. Crane had found, and ordered
tue ai'er 70 inter the remains MS he deemed an
inquest unnecessary. Mr. Crane replied that taa was
a most extraordinary proceeding. as he consdered
inquest most necessary under the circumstances,
Huck remained positive, aud his order WIS carried
out AZ the same time he compimentod Mr. Crane In
most iusome manner for his honesty In handing
tnc $780, aud concluded by telling him TO have
the intcncnt take place quietly possible. Mean
whilc Coroner Parslow tried 10 get possession Of tho
body and held an inquest but could not without tho
law. So ondod the matter for that tmo.
The remainder Of the story is told IN the records in
Surrogate McCaguc's oilcc, which were examined by
HERALD representative Yesterday From these u APP
pears that on the 10Th Of October, 1873. Dr. Ephram
w Buck made application TO be appointed adminlstra-
tor OF the effects Of Aloysns Molner and the applica
ton was granted. On tho 3lst OF December
following no died an inventory sotting iorth
that the value OF tho effects So. 43S rs, tho
appraisers being Philip Kuntz and David Hcnnessy,
both residing III Lafayette street, Jersey Cty on tho
9th OF January, 1870 tho Court passed tho account
leaving balance in Bucks hands OF So 7l5 80 CON-
sisting Of property and wearing apparel per
inventory 10 tho value OF sSi9 S. leaving a
cash balance OF si,so5 70. THIS amour. Is
still held by Buck on his own showing
and under tho existing Law he can rctain u I'll tho
hcrs or assigns Of Moner lay claim 10 IT, The repre-
sentative OF tho Austrian government IN this country
contends that tho trunks seized by Buck contained tho
stolen bonds amounting to s27 oo and hc hns accord
ingy filed bill in tho Court oil Chaucory Of New Jcr-
scy to have the money paid over 10 his government
This Is accompanied by motion Tor injunction TO
restrain Buck from paying the money 10 other
parties
VINO SHALL RESPONSIBILITY
But where Is Buck TO DO found HIS sudden dis
appearance aitor HIS term OF Office had expired Is
very suspicious, and was commented on very I'M
favorably at tho time. III judgment should be rom
dcred III favor OF tho Austrian government the
step in tho will DO SUIT against Bucks APP
pra'scrs. Kunz and Hcnncssey, for the recovery oil
surrogate In the matter us II seOms that is
essary In such case.
Numerous instances have occurred In Hudson
county within tho past twelve years where money,
diamonds, gold watches and other valuable effects
came In the snnc manner into tho possession OF
ners and county physicians and claimed
ward. These officials In such cases hold that they
not bound either deliver them to any superior
au horty or TO account for them. a occurred q
few years ago. where man VINO known be
In Possession OF AT least IS, 600 died suddenly In
house Payonia avenue, jersey City. lie buried
without inquest, the County Physician took posses
sion OF his effects, and that tho end OF H. some
wholesome amendments 10 the existing law clearly
needed. So well Is u known that tho oico OF County
Physician, TO which very liberal SALARY II
attached, is most lucrative one that there II
every year desperate scramble tor IT, One member
oil the Board OF Frccholders, who make the appoint
mcnt, indicted for accepting bribo Tor hs vote
from physician. IL has become proverbial that the
canddato who has tho largest purse win be tho sue
ccssfu one, so that respec able, heightened pnys
clan on the one hand, nor poor, unassumpg one on
tho other can attain the position.