The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-16
MISER PAINE'S MONEY.
Story of the Bundle Left with Chickering-
1886, Tied Up in an Old Handkerchief.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Dec. 15.-Great piles of green
backs of old dates were spread upon the tables
in the Surrogate's Court to-day, during the
hearing of the contest over the fortune left by
the miser James Fl. Paine. The story of the
misers career becomes more interesting al the
amount Of the vast wealth possessed by MIN boz
comes known. Richard B. T. Ward, who was
the paying teller in the Metropolitan Bank for
about thirty years. was called to the witness
stand He said he remembered that mIser
Paine visited the bank in October 1861, and
made a special deposit of $40, 600. Since Paines
death the certificates of deposit have been in
the custody of Charles F. Chickering admins
traitor of his estate. The money never drew
any interest.
ibid you ever see these bills before?" the wit
ness was asked. and great bundle OF bills was
produced which had been issued by the Metro
politan Bank when it was doing business as q
State organization. The bills amounted to
$12,3
''They were presented to us for payment last
spring" said The witness, ''by Mr.. Chckering as
administrators. We refused to redeem them
and understand suit is now pending for their
collection"
Charles F. Chickering gave some interesting
testimony when called to the witness-stand. He
saiG the misers estate in his hands as admins
traitor amounted to 100000 while assets Of
nearly $780, 900 more were still outstanding. Mr..
Chickering said he had been q resident of this
city and engaged in the piano business for thirty
years. He had been acquainted with Paine
for twenty years Mr. Chickering continued:
"Mr. Paine was a great lover OF music, and
haunted the music publishing houses and music
halls Some time in 1868 or 1869 he called on
me, and asked me If would take charge of a
package for him. agreed to do So and put the
package in my large business safe. He asked
me if my clerks had access to the safe, and upon
my answering in the affirmative, he asked me to
put 1t In my private safe, which did. The
package was done up in newspapers wrapped Sc
curely in an old bandanua handkerchief, and tied
with stout strings Paine occasionally inquired If
it was safe, but never spoke of taking it away"
Question-When was the package opened?
Answer-Not until after Mr. Paine died, when
l notified Robert Treat Paine, of Boston, about
it. l opened eon March l. but in the presence
of Robert T. Paine, Sumner E. Claggett. Mr..
Swift and some Of the other heirs All or US
were surprised when we saw the contents.
Q-What did the package containl AIN
answer TO this question Mr.. Cickering produced
the contents of the package. which were
spread upon the table There was in all, 1885,
100 in money in the bundle all in silver gold
and Unitod States National Bank notes except
$14, 400 in the bills of the Metropolitan Bank In
addition to the money there were 49, shares in
the Chicago Land Company, Of the par value of
$780, 100, and notes of the State issue of the Met
ropolitan Bank amounting to $l2, 800; of the
Bulls Head Bank for 81, 900, and Of the Columbia
Bank for $780,
The hearing was adjourned until Monday,
when the attorneys for the claimants, as heirs,
will make motion to have the bonds OF the ad-
ministIatore increased.