The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1884-10-18
Unclaimed Wealth.

A curious fact shown by the United
States Treasury's balance-sheet at the
close of the year s business is that there is
nearly twenty million dollars If outstand
ing Government securities, on which
the money is due and uncalled for. On
all of these interest has been closed, and
there can be no possible reasons for the
holders to delay presenting them for re-
demption. Some of them have been due
for many years. On some of them are
due large sums of interest, which have
not been called for, so that the interest
on these alone amount to three hundred
and forty-seven thousand dollars. What
has become of these documents and
why they are not presented is something
that no one can find out. Some of
them matured half a century ago and
are still unheard from and unpresented.
OF the old debt, which matured prior to
January /, 1887, there is outstanding
fifty-seven thousand six. hundred and
sixty-6ve dollars of principal, and sixty
four Thousand one hundred and seventy
four dollars of interest. OF the Texas
indemnity stock, which matured twenty
years ago, there is twenty thousand
dollars outstanding not presented. OF
the five-twenties of 1862, which matured
more than ten years ago, and on which
interest ceased at that time, there is
still outstanding three hundred and
fifty-three thousand two hundred and
fifty dollars. Of the ten-forties of 1864,
which matured five years ago, there is
yet unpresented one hundred and sew
enty-eight thousand eight hundred and
fifty dollars, with interest of fifteen
thousand four hundred and sixty dol
lars also due and unpaid. Of the six
per cent. consols, which matured two
years earlier, there was two hundred
and seventy-six thousand six hundred
dollars yet unpresented, and of the six
per cent. consols matured in 1879 there
is over half y million dollars yet I'M
called for, with interest matured, fifty
six thousand nine hundred and ninety
nine dollars. OF the five per cents,
which matured in 1882, there is still
nearly eight hundred thousand dollars
unpresented, though the interest ceased
at maturity. OF the compound interest
notes of 1864, which bear six per cent.
interest, and which matured in 1867 and
1868, over two hundred thousand dol
lars are still out and uncalled for, while
of the seven hirties of the same year,
which matured more than fifteen years
ago, one hundred and thirty-three thou
sand eight hundred dollars has never
yet been called for, nor has some twenty
thousand dollars interest on them been
demanded. What has become of these
bonds which represent so much money
is hard to understand.
Some of them have probably been de-
stroyed, perhaps the majority of them,
though it is proper to add that the bulk
of the nineteen million dollars due and
unpresented is that of which has fallen
due within the past year, and which will
doubtless be presented when the we'll
fed and leisureIY coupon-clippers realize
that there are no more coupons to be
clipped upon them, or that, if SO clipped,
they will not be honored because of the
fact that the bonds have been called.
There are, however, millions which
have been due many years, and have
not been paid simply because they have
not been presented. Some of these have
doubtless been destroyed by fire and
flood, others laid away as permanent
investments of some fund, or perhaps
forgotten in some dusty safe or moldy
pigeon hole. Why or how it is that
such large sums are still outstanding
and liable to continue so, is not ever
within the comprehension of the most
experienced treasury official to answer,
Boston Advertiser.