The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-21
THE MILLIONAIRE TRAMP.
NO NEW LIGHT ON TIE PAINE
MYSTERY.
Was He a Man Of Great Wealth or
Pauper-His Miserable
Death.


New YORK, February 20.-The Times
this morning publishes the following
from Boston: The TrdreiLer last night
said Further inquiry to-day concern
ing James III. Paine substantiates the
statements published, and it is said,
in spite of Mr.. Robert Treat Paine's
denial, that the statements made in
yesterdays article are strictly true,
though by no means all the truth.
The reference has been made to the
ownership of stock in the Chicago Land
Company. Paine collected his divi-
dends on the stock regularly up to
June rs, 1883. Since that time the
representatives of the company have
not been able to reach dim, and there
has accumulated in their hands and
still stands 10 his credit on the books
of the company, dividends TO him or
his heirs amounting 70 SS,993, and the
stock owned by him or standing in his
name at the time of his death is worth
from $40, 1000 to $4,000. The company
has been DESTROYS for some time OF
closing up its affairs, but has been
unable to do so because of its inability
to find him. All the trace that could
be found of him in New York was the
agency through the medium of which
he received his letters, containing
checks for his dividends, and the
company was at last forced to
obtain the appointment of a receiver
by the courts for the purpose of clos
ing out its business. Another Incl
dent illustrative of Paine's business
methods was learned to-day concern
ing his connection with the Chicago
and Northwestern Road. He owned
its securities to so large an amount as
to make his methods of managing
them exceedingly troublesome to the
company, and it was forced TO buy
these of him almost at his own price
in order to rid itself of his interior
ence. Instances OF this kind could be
multiplied. The question as to what
has become of his great wealth is still
unsolved and much of mystery hangs
about his wretchedly obscure exist
ence during the latter part of his life.
JAMES llINh1 iAiNE
died at the age Of eighty-three years
in the garnet of lodging house at No.
III Bleecker street, on December ODD,
amid surroundings and under circum-
stances that indicated abject poverty.
On December 18th, when crossing
Broadway near the City Hall, the old
man was knocked down by truck
and had his leg broken. He was taken
to the Chambers Street Hospital.
After having his leg set he insisted on
going to his room, and was carried
there the next morning. During the
week that he lay there DIR. j. Robert
Embry, of No. 30 West Fourth street,
called TO offer his services. The old
man said he could not afford a doctor
and did not need one. Land
lord Lues and his wife looked in
occasionally upon the sick man, and
gave him food and whatever he asked.
On the eveningof December23d when
Mr.. Luer went to the garnet, he found
the old man dead. Then the garnet
room was made ready for the next
ledger, and the old mans papers were
turned over to the public administra-
tor. OF the hundreds of people who
were attracted in one way or another
to Mr.. Paine for thirty years, not one
would have supposed from his appear
ance that money and he bore the most
remote relation. He lived for that
period in this city, mystery to all
who knew him. He was familiar
figure around Union Square, at places
of amusement, and was known quite
generally among musicians and actors.
He dressed like tramp, wearing in
summer and winter alike a tattered
overcoat, worn-out shoes over the feet,
and trousers through which sometimes
the flesh could be seen. No one ever
knew how or where he lived, except
that there were resorts that he visited
where he could pick up mouthful of
food without paying for it. He was
A MAN OF UNCOMMON INTELLECT;
he could talk with grace and fuency,
About eight years ago John l.. Drum
mond, the broker, then chief clerk
with the banking house OF Body,
Mcclellan 4 Co., noticed on several
visits to Dingwall's restaurant, No. S32
Broadway, that Mr.. Paine was always
there. Mr.. Drummond made inquiries
about him, and then told II story that
set the actors and artists by the ears.
He said that year or two before, Mr..
Paine one day visited the office OF
Body, Mcclellan d Co., and when one
of the clerks was about to show him
the door, thinking him a beggar, Mr..
Body came out of his office, greeted
Mr.. Paine effusively, and invited him
within. There were several long con-
ferences on that and ensuing days,
eliminating as Mr. Drummond re-
members in directions TO himself from
the head of the firm to draw Il check
for Mr.. Paine for S324,000 Mr.. Paine
took the check to bank, got cash for
it, and trudged off with the cash in q
paper bundle, which he Rugged to
his breast under his overcoat. After
the relation of this incident Mr.. Paine
was known at Dingwall's as the
Millionaire Tramp" Besides being
a fine musical critic, Mr.. Paine was
considered an expert in real estate
stocks and billiards. Among his mos
intimate associates the one absorbing
question is, did he leave $l,000,000 oil
S2,000,000 in hard cash, or only 500
and if he left the million, where is it i