The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-22
MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.
An Albion, N. W, Bank President De
camps,
WHICH BRINGS A POISONING CASE
TO LIGHT.

ALBION, N. Y Aug. 21.-This morning the
following notice was posted upon the doors OF
the First National bank of this village:
sowing to the absence of President of the Board,
the directors have closed the bank until an exami-
nation of its affairs can be had.''
Mr.. A. Warner, president of the above bank,
left town Wednesday, Aug ID, stating that he
was going to st. Catherines, Ont, and from
there would proceed to New York. He being
the only person in possession of the combina-
ton of the inner vault the exact condition OF
the affairs OF the bank is not known The
vault will be drilled tomorrow. Warner was
executor OF the estate of Roswell Burrows
amounting TO several million dollars. Bur-
rows died in 1879, and the executors have
never fled an inventory or made any state
ment of the affairs OF the estate to the present
time. Some time ago w. r. Caulkins Of Bos-
ton, confidential business agent Of W. r. Bur-
rows, one of the heirs, filed petition in the
Surrogate's Office, of Orleans county for action
to compel Warner to file an inventory OF the
estate. The order was issued for that purpose
making the date for the fling Aug. IS, but the
inventory was not filed. Investigation shows
that Warner has disposed Of his property here.
BOSTON, Aug. 20.-The announcement Of
the disappearance of President Warner, OF the
First National Bank of Albion, n. Y, throws
the first light upon a monstrous plot that
for weeks has betfled Boston's district attof.
ney, the grand jury and the smartest detect
ives OF this city. The plot was successful to
this extent, viz: William r. Burrows, one Of
the heirs to IS 100000 estate, residing At
No. 1888 Beacon street in this city, was syste.
matically poisoned until the diabolieal work
was discovered just in time to prolong but not
to save his life. He is still alive but it Is
living death. He now suffers paralysis SO
that he can move scarcely single muscle
and only death can relieve him.
By the terms of the will of Burrows father
his estate remains undivided until the death
OF his widow who survives him. The execu-
tors are A. s. Warner Of Albion, N. Y, W.
R. Burrows, his son, Mrs. Mary e. Stewart of
Albion, and the widow. Mr.. Warner had
William r. Burrows, the son and heir, has
been dissipated and has scarcely more than
dabbled in business for years past.
In November, 1882, he made the acquain-
tance of W. r. Caulkins, and the following
year they entered into business in this city.
Burrows, with his wife and two children, went
to live with Caulkins, and in November Mrs.
Burrows took the children and left her hus-
band awhile Burrows remained at Caulkin's,
except during an occasional absence, caused by
dissipation. He left Caulkins Feb. ID, and did
not return until carried there quite sick, from
house on Hudson street, on April 7th. While
sick at Caulkins' house, the patient was at
tackled with vomiting spells and partial paral-
ysis, and grew rapidly worse
About this time, Mr.. Warner, Hon. Roswell
came to Boston, and consulting physicians were
called into the case. The physicians expressed
suspicious OF poisoning, and an investigation
by chemist revealed that there was arsenic
in what came from young Barrows' stom-
ach. From that period it has been evident
that the young man would die, and the matter
was brought to the attention OF the district at
torney and laid before the grand jury, but in
sufficient evidence caused the postponement of
the the osss from td time to to time as The
of May from Caulkins' house to 311
Bacon street, and later to Hotel Oxford,
aDd last week was removed to New York. The
motive for poisoning is unknown as well as the
identity OF the poisoner. There is great dis
pute over the property and there is no doubt
Burrows places confidence in Caulkins. Both
Caulkins aud Burrows are unfriendly with
Warner. No direct evidence has at any time
been found against any one in Caulkins' house.
Caulkins has stated that he had not the
slightest doubt that arsenic was administered
to Burrows and it was simply question of
who administered it.
Gen. Coggeswell, counsel for Caulkins has
said the only theory hecould offer as to possible
motive that in case the managing executor of
the estate who was notorious speculator,
should be called upon for an accounting and be
afraid to make one there might be motive
for putting the young man who made such
demand out OF the way. Mr.. Warner he said
however, had only once seen Burrows and
Coulu nave nau no opportunity TO 10 In0 deed.
VIM. R. Burrows, the sick heir, has said
that Warner has never rendered an account
ing although repeatedly called upon. Warner
had shown hostility to him in many ways and
he had suspicious of his integrity. He did
think once that Warner had offered him
drink with something in it but had no direct
evidence of it.
Ex-Judge Burrows of Buffalo, who has rep
resented Warner when last in Boston lsaid in
regard to the story that Warner had embez-
Zled several hundred thousand dollars from
the estate, that IL he had done 80 the courts
would take care of him. The estate, Judge
Burrows claimed, amounted to only about
81 900, 900. Mr.. Burrows, senior, he said, had
suffered great losses during the last years OF
his life
Caulkins, Lwho held a power of attorney
from young Burrows, said tonight, 81 have
always said Warner would commit suicide, be
sent to State prison or leave the country"
Canlkins states that a month ago Warner
served on him power of attorney purpoyting
to come from young Barrows and signed by
his ''x" marx, in which Caulkins' power Of
attorney was revoked and unlimited discretion
given to Warner. Caulkins refused to recog-
njze the instrument. Young Barrows,
Caulkins says, denied having ever given
Warner power of attorney. Caulkins also
says that long ago Warner made him written
offer of $500 cash for his power of attorney
from VIM. r. Burrows. The affair is very
mysterious and seems destined to become a
sensation,