The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-03-14
A rLUNpERED TREASURY.
Trial of James Lyon for Assisting In the
Robbery of the Treasury OF Bufsalo, n.


Robbery of the Treasury of Bufsalo, n.
Y.--Almost Half Million Dollars stolen.
BUFFALO. n. ". March 9-The trial OF James
Lyon for completely with Joseph Borx in the en-
bezzlement of public funds while City Treasurer
is the main topic of interest at present Lyon Is
about sixty-hve years old. but few years ago he
was a banker and real estate broker and a
pillar of the Church. Joseph Bork is foity-three
years of age. He wss City Treasurer from 1872 to
1873. and previous to and during his term was
connected with Lyon In the banking ana real
estate business Failing of reelection In 1875, he
left town very suddenly, and the investigation
showed him to be defaulter to the amount OF
s47O OOO He subsequently returned. was tried. and
convicted. Another trial was secured. it also
ending with a conviction. Bork Is now un-
der heavy bonds. and is to be sentenced in the
near future. Lyon was tried some time ago and
convicted OF completely. This IL his second trial
pearance of Bork on the witness stand II sppears
that he blames Lyon for much OF his luck. and
is determined to get even by showing
The great plunderer makes model
witness, aud the story of the memorable four
years steal Is told with circumsantiality and di
rectness. Bork's history Is closely interviewer
with that of the prisoner at the bar. He became
ACQUAINTED with Lyon in 1868, and was employed
Dy MIN III 1901 as ID ONCE DOy. Lyon Was lnen III
the real estate business. He continued with
Lyon until 1867, when he succeeded in buy
ing fifth Interest In the business. Suose
quently the real estate branch was trans
ferred to Lyon, Baker & Co.. and
banking was carried on by Lyon * Co., Bork
being q member of each firm. he early devel-
oped an aptitude for finance, and his ventures
were uniformly successful. Previous to being
elected City Treasure r he specuated successfully
in real estate in East Buffalo. From his evidence
II appesIs-that the work OF plundering the Treas
ury began the very week he assumed the position.
He enumerates a multitude OF fraudulent acts
on his part 10 which he claims Lyon s
party. The District Attorney says IL will
be shown coDclusiyely that every dollar Of the
$4,000 passed through the hands of the Arms OF
Lyon & Co., bankers, and Lyon. Baker & Co. real
estate agents. When these firms were short of
money, Il is asserted the public Treasury was an
unfailing supply. The cash itself was taken from
the Treasury vault when they wanted currency.
one of Bork's worthless checks, signed Lyon
d Co." or simple memorandum
Of the loan being left to keep the
Department books apparently straight
City bonds intrusted to the Treasurer fo negOtia-
ton were sold and the avails put into the bust
ness of the private ms instead OF into the pub
lie Golfers, and s1O0, 900 worth OF taxes can
celed in consideration of checks and the mem
orandums, upon which nothing has been realized.
BOrk says this method was pursued until the
catastrophe OF exposure at the close
OF the transactions has been admitted
In evidence as bearing upon Mr.. Lyon S
guilty knowledge of what was going on. The in
dictment on which he is being tried specially re-
lates to item of 2200. Whether he can be
convicted of completely in the Misrepresentation
Of this Identical item remains TO be seen. Bork
seems to take especial delight in watching his old
enPioye.'s face while giving his testimony;
his own sentence by 'peaching" on his former
associate.