New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-03
WHERE IS COUNTY CLERK CRANE?
HIS OFFICIAL MATTERS CORRECT. BUT MANY
FRIENDS SAID TO HAVE BEEN vICTIMZED.

HIS OFFICIAL MATTERS CORRECT. BUT MANY
FRIENDS SAID TO HAVE BEEN vICTIMIZED.
James f. y. Crane, the Clerk of Wcstchester
County, who elected for the second term at the
election and shortly afterward took the oath of
ollce suddenly disappeared last Thursday. 1t Is
rumored In Yonkers where he lived and also in White
Plains that lie has gone to Texas, where some of his
relatives live for the benefit his health. His sudden
departure gave rise mani regard to his nan
cAl affairs, but investigation failed to show anything
wrong IN regard mis- official lie. Franklin Couch, OF
Peeksk, Mr. Crane sdeputy, Is in charge OF the Office
lie said yescrday that Mr. Crane had gone to Texas by
the advice of his physician and that he expected him to
return a. soon as well enough to do He also
expressed belief that the losses sustained hy Mr. crane
condition, that Mr. crane had in fact become financial
wreck having used up not only his own money but also
that OF his most Intimate friends having borrowed large
sums aud gone away leaving them with nothing but
worthless paper 10 tire shape OF checks notes ahd mort
notes indorsers declare that they never written
by them. Creditors have been at Mr. Cranes office,
making earnest and anxious inquiries about him. 40
colmg to of several persons 1t is est
mated that his debts amount TO $4,000. He appears 10
willing to lend It, in Sums from 800 $500 Many OF
his Old ends say that he had business capacity,
that lie bad been brought up In home Of wealth and
luxury, ard was generous to fault. Mrs. Hannah
Fulton, his uothcr-ln- law, Is ole OF the principal
Anote purporng to have been drawn by ". D. Smith,
cousin of Mr. Crane In favor Of Maurice Dillon for
$1,000 which cashcd for Mr. Crane is pronounced to
he forgery. Two other notes giVen TO Mr. Michael
iSOdcn Ot TllOO, edcii FlppTlIS 10 nave Dc'
| by W. d. Smith, are pronounced by Mr. SMITH TO be
fOrgeres. They ndOrsCi by the names of Mrs.
Mary 3. Waters and Mrs. Hannah Fulton, but these
women pronounce the signatures 20 De tOrgerics. 4
mortgage pretending have leen given by W d. Smith
to the WcschcstCr Fire Insurance Company for $1,000.
Acknowledged before Mr. Crane as notary public and
the money given by the company TO Mr.. Crane. Is also
said 10 he forgery Another mortgage on the same
property, given 10 stephen D. Horton Sheriff OF West
chester County. for $1,000 presumably drawn ~ " D.
Smith and Mrs. Mary b. Waters, Is pronounced false.
william II. ROmer OF White Plains has forged note for
$1,000 ndorsed apparently by Frederick Dykman which
Is also pronounced to be forgery. The money was
raj TO Mr.. Crane. suit has been begun by
Albert llunken OF this city, against Mrs Fulton ahd
Priscilla smith. the latter sister OF Mr. Crane as the
nlorserS of balance Of $3.50. Tie signatures are pro
nOunced forgercs. 1t is stated that Mr. Crane for two
years has been specializing In Wall street His IN thod
Or obtaining to draw check a NOnGers bank and
induce friend cash IL. When the check came back
he made plausible excuse ana promised to fix 1t right
GWay;, hut he kcVt mis- promise IN only an Occasun9
case. Yesterday 1t pred that John Berry Try
goods merchant Of Mount Vernon indOrsed note Tor
election. Three years he was poor younS LAWYER
living In Nnnkcr and the senior member OF nc lIm OF
Crane Daily Of this city AZ that time his cousin, James
&. Courier sheriff lie Il the youngest son OF BeDh
min t. Crane. Of No. 3O7 west Fifty sXh-st VIC was
years ago an engineer the AqUeduct. steps VIII be
taken at 70 cause his removal from Olce by the
Governor aud already active canvass for his place Is
being made in the county.