The New York herald., 1878-11-11
A MISSING MERCHANT.
JOHN RwrN's (oF BRooKLYN) WHEREABOUTS UN-

JOHN nwTNs (oF BRooKLYN) WHEREABOUTS UN-
KNowN--A STRANGE CASE.
The mysterious disappearance Of prominent cti-
of Brooklyn has just come to light. On the 18th
of October Mr.. John Irwin, who was engaged in the
gentlemens furnishing line. left his home and place
of business. No. 513 Fulton street. For long time
he had been in ill health. and when he left home it
with the purpose of spending n few weeks with
relatives who reside at Fall Mills about eight miles
west Of Callicoon Sullivan county in this State.
week passed, when the family of Mr. Irwin began to
suspect that accident had befallen him on ac-
count of no word being received from him. Letters
sent to Fall Mills. and finally dispatches. but
word came from the absent man. He had left his
business in the hands of his clerk. instructing him
to carry it just the if he present
to purchase all goods necessary. After an ab-
sence of three weeks and no word being re-
ceived from him search was made. The
coachman who took him to the Erie Railway
depot said he thought Mr.. Irwin had purchased a
ticket there. On inquiry at the Erie office the sale
ticket to Callcoon was not on record but from the
baggage master it ascertained trunk answering
the description of Mr. Irwins had been checked
through to Callicoon. The relatives of the missing
then followed the clew mp and went to Callicoon.
It was learned that the trunk had been received and
delivered to some person, hut who the
person was the baggage man at Callicoon
could not remember. Inquiry among the friends
whom Mr.. Irwin said he intended to visit elected the
fact that he had not visited them. No of him
could be found in the town. II nearly q
month since Mr. Irwins departure. and his bills be-
ginning to accumulate the distressed wife had men
come from New York and open the SAFE the keys
of which the missing had carried away with him.
The contents in the most dsorery condition and
in the safe just forty cents Mr.. Irwin had
kept any bank account. and being in business
for twelve years ii supposed the safe contained
large sum of money The theory is that Mr.. Irwin
has abandoned his wife and four little yet from
the fact that the wife told the HERALD
reporter that her husband. to her knowledge.
had taken with him a large sum- with which he
said he intended paying off bills in New York she
poets that he has been foully dealt with At the Erie
depot the HERALD reporter learned that man
swerng Mr.. Irwns description presented ticket to
Callicoon had his trunk checked the afternoon
of the 10th of October but learning that the train
did not reach Callicoon until quarter to A. NJ.
he had his baggage to remain until the nine A. NJ,
train next morning. The night of the 10th Mr..
Irwin must have spent in New York and it is posi-
BILE that he fell into rough hands. He is
of easy habits and may have exhibited h
money while he was under the influence Of liquor.
robbed and put out of the way" by thieves
Mr. Irwin was one of the most prominent Masons
in Brooklyn and member of Zcredetta Lodge,
Nassau Chapter and Clinton Commandery, and the
Masonic Mutual Aid Association. He stood nearly
six feet high. was Of stout build. dark complexion,
had chin beard and quite bald. His age
about fifty Owing to the state of affairs in the miss
ing mans business his absence not reported to
the police until yesterday.