The Irish standard., 1886-06-19
a N1SERLY CAREER.
strange Life OF James Henry Paine.
His Money.

s t110 money
The Boston Traveller publishes tho fol-
lowing remarkable history of james Henry
Paine, grandson of Robert Treat Payne,
one Of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence
There died in New York City some two
weeks ago, in squalor and abject wretch
endless, man who, up to some thirty
years ago, was we'll known here in Boston
journalistic circles as musical critic OF
more than ordinary ability and a financial
reporter 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 bus
mess for himself and soon became musical
and financial reporter for the Post, and
some years later was employed by the Trav-
eler rs its financial reporter. He inherited
quite property from his fathers estate,
and began his business of loaning money
on the street at high rates of interest.
His. habits even at this time were miserly
in the extreme, and his personal appear
ance was repulsive because of his slovenly
dress and person. He gained on the street
tice of loaning money on stocks and then
bearing the stocks through the columns
of the paper ON which he was employed.
This naturally led to his loss of employ
ment as financial writer, and his per-
sonal habits became more disgusting,
while his greed for money increased. In
the latter part of 1854, owing to a ques
tionab!e financial transaction, Boston be-
came too hot for him, and he departed for
New York. His only baggage was an old
wooden hair-covered trunk, into which he
packed all his earthly possessions His
brother, the late Robert Treat Paine, fire.
quently said he had no doubt his brother
James carried away in that old trap of a
trunk not less than 100000 or $500, 600 in
good securities, mostly bonds. He was
next accidently met in New York by the
executor of an estate which he had de-
frauded. He was arrested and taken to
the Tombs where, after some parleying
Paine promised, if he might be released.
to make good the amount of stocks and 9TH
er property which belonged to the estate.
The executor went with him to large
brown stone house on Fifth avenue, where
they were admitted without question, and
on entering a finely furnished room,
Paine asked. another man. they found
there to bring him his bonds5 The man
complied, and brought large quantity OF
bonds, which Paine piled on table and
counted out to the executor fifty.six 81 200
bonds, without making any perceptible
diminution of the pile. He continued to
be heard from now and then about New
York. He finally became so ragged and
filthy that he was sent to the Island. Some
acquaintance who knew Of his musical
ability raised purse of some $50, secured
his release. and procured him q re-
spectacle suit of clothes. Subsequently it
was known that he hired room in Canal
street, to which no one was admitted.
He grew SO wretched and sank so low that
he was seen in the street holding his hat
for pennies to purchase food. After his
miserable death, on searching the rags
which covered his person some 5000 or
$500 was fonnd secreted in them, and this
was all, and here arises the question.
What has become OF his stocks, bonds,
and wealth? His brother, Robert Treat
Paine believed that he was worth from
$1,000, 900 to $2,000000. 1t is certainly
known that he owned large amount of
property. He was large owner in the
Chicago Land Company. Checks in pay
ment of dividends were sent to him in
New York, and though it was never easy
to find him, these checks were always
promptly acknowledged, and came back
to Chicago properly endorsed by him, III
token that he had received the money.