The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-20
AMISER' LIFE And DEATH.
REMARKABLE STORY ABOUT
JAMES HENRY PAINE,
A Grandson OF One Of the SIgners Of
the Declaration Of Inde-
pendenee.

BosroS, MASS, February 19.-The
Traveller publishes the following re-
markable story about James Henry
Paine, a giand-fOn OF Robert Treat
Paine, one Of the signers OF the Dec
claration of Independence, who died
in New York city some two weeks
ago In abject wTetchedness, a man
who up 10 thirty years ago was well
known in Boston in journalistic cir
eles as financial critic Of more than
average ability, and financial report
or OF uncommon keenness. On the
street he was known as one Of the
most miserly, unscrupulous and
grasping OF usurious money-lenders.
His name was James Henry Paine.
he was born in Boston in 1912 and
was educated in the public schools,
and in 1929 he began business for
himself and soon became musical and
financial reporter for the Post, and
some years later was employed by the
Traveller as its financial reporter. He
inherited quite property from his
fathers estate and began his business
OF loaning money on the street at
high rates CT interest. His habite.
even at this time, were misery in the
extreme, and his personal appearance
was repulsiye because Of his sloyenly
dress and person. He gained on the
street an unenviable notoriety for his
loaning money on stocks and then
bearing the stocks through the col.
umns oil the paper on which he was
employed. This naturally led to his
loss Of employment as a financial
writer and his personal habits be-
came more disgusting, while his
GREED FOR MONEY
increased. In the latter part of 1854,
owing to questionable financial trans.
action, Boston became too hot for him
and he departed for New York. His
baggage was an old wooden, hair-Coy-
cred trunk, into which he packed all
bis earthly possessions. His brother,
the late Robert Treat Paine, FREQUENT.
ly said that he had no doubt tina. his
brother James carried away in that
old trunk not less than 100000 or
100000 in good securities, mostly
bonds. He was next accidentally met
in New York the executor Of an estate |
which he had defrauded. He was ar
rested and taken 10 the Tombs, where.
after some parleying, Paine promised |
I he might be released, to make good |
he amount OF the stocks and other
property which belonged to the estate.
The executor went with him to large
brown stone-iront house, where they
we're admitted without question, and
IN entering finely furnished room,
Paine asked man they found there |
o bring him his bonds. The man
complied aud brought large guam
ity of bonds, which Paine piled on a
able and counted out to the executor
ifty-six $1,000 bonds without making
my perceptible diminution of the
'ile. He continued to be heard from,
low and then about New York. He
inally became 80
RAGGED AND FILTHY
hat he was arrested as a vsgrant aud
ent to the island. Some acquaini.
nee who knew Of his musical'ability
aised purse Of some $50, secured
lis release and procured him pre-
suit OF clothes. Subsequently
was known that he hired room in
ANAL street, to which no one was adj
nitted. He grew 80 wretched and
ank no low that he was seen in the
treet holding his hat, begging for
'ennies to purchase food. After his
miserable death, on searching the
ags which covered his person, 500 or
800 were secreted in them, and this
Tas all. And here arises the question,
that had become OF his stocks, bonds
nd wealth. His brother, Robert
'reat Paine, believed that he was
Iorth between 81 ,000, 900 and $1,000.
90. 1t is certainly known that he
wned large amount Of property.
lie was large oW ner in the Chicago
and Company. Checks in payment
| dividends were sent d him in New
'ork, and, though it was never easy
D find him, the checks were always
romptly acknowledged and came
ack to Chicago properly Endorsed
y him in token that he had received
1a mOnav