The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-25
PRICE TWO CENTS.
EXCITEMENT IN EAST HAVEN
INTEs TTGA TING THE OPERA TTONS OF a
ONCE TRUSTED OFFICIAL

Town and Church Money. Believed 20 Have
Been widows mud 0rphnns and
Others Losing Their An-Mr. Brny's Case.
NEW HAVEN, Feb. A.--The Hon Charles A.
Bray has been for many years a conspicuous
and trusted citizen OF East Haven. Hc had long
been Town Clerk, Judge Of Probate. Trying
Justice. and the many duties OF all the impor-
tant offices OF the town were discharged by him.
tho persons elected to nll them being only his
humble and unresisting servants. A few years
ago he represented the Fourth District in the
State Legislature as Senator. He was hold in
such high esteem. and so much confidence was
placed in him. that practically all tho affairs Of
the town were under his direction and control.
He was also an officer in the church Of which
he was member and regular attendant. treas-
urer OF the Sunday school cash. and handled
tho moneys OF the School District. His sway
was as undisputed in the affairs OF the church
as in those Of the town.
1t was Just before the last town election that
feeling Of distrust began to find expression
with regard 20 the integrity Of Mr.. Bray. Tho
Rev L Hail. after a months search for
fncts. accused Mr.. Bray OF misappying the
town money. and demanded an investigation.
Mr.. Bray's Republican friends fought against IL
as long as possible. but finally had TO surrender
TO the popular desire. and n special town meet
ing was called. 1t was then shown that Mr..
Bray's accounts. extending over n long term OF
years. were in sad confusion, and his books had
been 50 manipulated that nothing could be as
insisted that he was all right and that
II any thing was wrong II was done
through carelessness and without criminal in
tent: nor had he derived any benefit himself
from any deficiency that might be shown. The
committee to examine his accounts and general
financial transactions for the town. lmmedi-
ntrly after the appointment OF this committee.
Mr.. Bray made an assignment of his property.
or tue small part OF 1t not mortgaged. for the
benefit Of his creditors. and nj the same time his
friends said that his mind WIS weakening. and
that nothing but rest would save his renson.
Accordingly. he went South. and is now at Eu-
The investigating committee are three friends
Of NJ r. Brays. They refuse to let fall word as to
the progress they are making; but enough has
been asccrtnined rom other sources to show thut
MIR. Bray will run far behind in his accounts as
town agent. while his Probate Court. church.
and private deficiencies will swell the total to =
large sum. The annual reports Of the financial
condition OF the town were male by Mr. Bray rs
specn agent In a casual examination OF sim
ge reports II was not easy to detect errors: but
in n consecutive examination Of several reports
the accounts Of the town appeared to have been
systematically fasihad. Money is reported us
borrowed. or paid. or owed by the town. without
regard to actual furts.
According TO these reports. the town put
to pay notes held by individuals for
money loaned. Instead Of paying these notes,
| Wnl'n were slGnel ny lnt Oeltttintn. no eN-
| changed them. in some instances. for his own
notes: in others. he paid in part and gave his
note for the remainder. AMI in others he gave
the old notes, and in his next an
money loaned and to be paid by the town
second time. II Is charged that the
money so obtained was appropriated TO his
| own use. Many persons who surrendered the
| good security Of the town for the almost worth-
| less notes OF Mr.. Bray were unnccustomed to
| all forms OF business. many OF them being
| women. widows. and orphans.
| Hy Finch Is n leading locomotive engineer on
| the Philadelphia and Reading Bailroad. His
| mother persuaded him to invest some OF
his money and she added to II $500 Of her own
| in East Haven town bonds. Alter Mr.. Finch
| had gone " Pennsylvania. Mr.. Bray came aitel
the bonds. ana. rcprcse enting that they needed
| further recording secured them from the widow
II was as'erinined 10y Mr.. Finch when he re.
| Gently came home on visit that Mr.. Bray had
kept the town bonds and returned his own
| notes. Mrs. Finch not having discovered the ex-
| Finch said that he would spend $500 to punish
| him. and he came to this city 10 consult law
yer ms to the measures he should take 10 s0-
| cure rcquisition on the Governor Of Alabama,
| He was sent 10 the states Attorney. who still
| holds the matter under adyisemcnt.
| Another case is that Of Mrs. Susannah NAL
| lory, S5 years OF age. who intrusted ~ 900 in
| Mr.. Bray's care TO support her during tho rest
| OF her days. She cannot get the money. and Is
| now maintained by the town. Still another
| case is that OF two crippled and frendless sis
ters, who. having saved a little money. gave II
to Mr.. Bray 10 invest They a.e penniess.