The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-07
ARRESTING A CLAIM AGENT.
THE ACCUSATIONS 4 SfTLOR MIKES
dGiINST GEORGE W. MELyIN
Charged with COLLECTING and Usins Prize
Money that belonged to Another - Tho
Accused Mans Version OF the story.

Money that belonged to Another - Tho
Accused Mans Version OF the story.
Mr. George W. Melvin, n claim and pen
sion agent OF Isl South street was arrested on
Tuesday afternoon by a Deputy United States
Marshal and brought before Commissioner
Deuel.. The charge against him was that he
had collected prize-money claim belonging TO
Martin Burke OF II Cedar street. and devoted
the money to his own use
Burke says that he served as landsman on
board the mortar boat Para. a schooner rugged
craft. that took part in the capture OF New Or
leans In 1862. BY special act OF Congress all
who participated in Farraguts great naval VIC
tory became entitled to prize money. graduated
in amount according to rank and period Of
service. Burke says that his share was t2s.93
Soon after he was discharged he lost his papers
and supposing that they would be absolutely
requisite In order to obtain his share Of
the prize money. he made no claim.
few weeks weeks age he met an old mess, s,
receiyod s n5t1s nnnv n TqS'hsr no hn n
the, negative. and his friend guided him to
MeIyinS Office das7ufpg a, him that his claim Vas
Melvin accepted the claim. and. II Burke's
story, is t., be believed. went with bin to the
Brooklyn Navy Yard. and on board the receiy-
ing. ship Colorado. Here two seamen. Kennedy
and Bartholomew. who had served with
Burke 2p board the Para. Identified him.
saBssqucntly Burke called upoD Meiv.n many
reply had been received. Eventually Melvin
told him that he could do nothing with his case
and advised him to apply 10 70 the Paymaster at
his clerk. told him after some delay that he had
been advised by the Navy Department that
Para. and that he tthe appicanu was not the
man. Then Burke sought out Lieut.. Ryan. one
OF the para's officers. and that gentleman IS
the Paymastrr and a new set Of papers WIS
made out and forwarded TO tho department. In
reply. Fourth Auditor Taber said that Martin
Burke's prize money had boon collected by Mel
YIN over three years ago. Upon receiving this
Intelligence Burke applied to the United
lowed
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District
Attorney Butler. Mr.. Welcome r. Beebe defend
ing M.vn. The latter was held in $500 bail
Mr.. Becbc says that Burke's story is untrue
from bccginningto end. H. may be Martin
W Burke VIII. served on board the Para. In
is7l or 1875 Melvin collected $50 for th.., true
Burke applied 10 him. and he, thinking 1t high
~ probable that there might have been another
man man Of the sam, name on board the
Kara. went with Burke TO the Colorado;
There hc made every effort to find
some, one who could identify Burke, but
fail u. Then 4. took Burke's personal AFFIDAVIT
and sent 1t To- Washington. with u full dcs rip.
ton OF the man. Fourth Auditor Taber replied
that the Gcs riplion did not tally with that on
lie IN the department. AMI said that tho Martin
Burke who actually served on board the Para had
already received his prize money. The dIscrep-
nncics IN The descriptions wer" very marked.
/ can assure you THAI Melvin did not collect a
cent on tu. second Burk-- claim since 1865
pc has COLI tod AT out 10000 claims, and have
known him 80 return money To the Govern
ment IN cases where fraud had bscn IRA. tiscd
TnAt money came out OF his own pocket
Mr. Mcvns Residence II given in tie dircc-
tory ~ % Chatham street. That house has
been oHSupei for n long time by clothier.
still ~ Mr. Beeoe says. no man can be held re-