New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-25

ascertaned from the books of the cashiers office,
is certified to by the auditor. Postmaster Van
Cott has within a few months placed additional
safeguards around the finances of the Offices
and he does not think il possible that any loss
could occur except in the cash on hand which
was exclusively under the charge of the cashier.
HIGHLY RESPECTED IN HACKBYsAcK.
The few people in IIackensaclz who heard Of
| Mr.. Lounsberys trouble at the Postoflice were
greatly surprised. His friends refused TO believe
that he had been dishonest and felt confident
that he could make a satisfactory explanation Of
| the apparent shortage at the Postofce The news
that he had shot himself put end to these hopes.
| The deepest sorrow ives expressed for the I'M
fortunate mans family. Mr.. Lounsbery had many
friends III the place, and the general opinion OF
him was expressed by one of them, who said to a
! Tribune reporter:
Il never knew a man more devoted to
his family. lie used To come right home from
NeW-NOrk when his work was done for the day,
and he used 10 spen nearly all his time at home.
He was not a man given to wasting money. Ito
left the Hackcnsack House, where he formerly
lived, and rented his present home, about two
Hev ye%rs G[e Eecns ago Just serSaTs SaHs
and no horse, and is economical in his expendi-
lures In fact we have never regarded him as
anything but most exemplary citizen
As far as could be learned last night the circum-
stance of the shooting was as follows Soon
after the departure of Superintendent Wood Mr..
Lounsbery went up to his chamber. He refused
to come down in response to his wife's calls.
The family soon heard the report of a revolver,
and rushing up 10 his room found Mr. Lounsbery
| lying no the floor with the blood oozng from a
wound in the lett temple the smoking revolver
beside him.
THE WOUND PRONOUNCED FATAL.
The distracted family Immediately sent for DR..
St. John, who hurried to the house. He said
that the wound fatal In fact, it seemed
as if Mr.. LoJnsbery could live only few minutes.
All in the power of medical skill done to
revive him, but he remained in an unconscious
condition. his breath coming In fltful gasps.
As soon as it became certain that the wound
su@mon sum i'''tl to his BEDSIDE the Rev W. W:
Holly, the pastor of Christ Protestant Episcopal
Church. at which Mr.. Lounsbery has been
constant attendant. \ telegram was sent TO
Theodore p. Hoffman, his partner in the grain
Hoffman went to llackensack at once, and was
at the dying mans bedside all the evening.
Dr. Charles Adams was also summoned.
At midnight Mr. Lounsbery was sinking
rapidly. His physician said that lie could not
live more than an hour or two
SUPERINTENDENT WOOD N CHARGE.
Late in the evening the Postmaster appointed
Superintendent Wood, who was assistant auditor
for many years, to take charge temporarily Of the
cashiers office. lie directed him to open new
set of books and record the sale of stamps and
all other transactions in them. Meanwhile Assist
ant Postmaster Morgan wrote letters u the bonds
men OF Mr.. LOuuSDeTy informing them Of the
apparent deficiency. The cashier, as well as all
the other financial officers Of the POstotice. give
bonds 10 the Postmaster for the safety OF the
money intrusted to them Mr.. LOunSberys bond
was Tor $4,000. The SuretIes are Theodore L.
Pullman, vi RoSevie, y. j., who gave security
for $50, 900; Edgar Washburn. of Catskill, y. Y,
Tor Sl5,OOO, ana John MoOnan, Of No. Alb West
Twenty y-trst-St for - 1000. Each of the bonds
men justified in double the amount of the portion
OF the bond for which he Is responsible. Inc
| Government is secured by the Postmasters bond
| Of 100000.
No one al the Postofiice could shed any light
| f1a rpo fhoI he wi
| taken, or on the length of time over which tho
thefS had extended. The postmaster and his
| assistants believed that the money must have
| been taken within a few weeks unless MI.
! Lounsbery IN the habit OF borrowing money
| frequently to hide deficit. On December 81,
! 1889 the money was counted and the books
examined in the presence of a PostOice Inspector,
the cashier and the auditor OF the POstOiilce ana
L. II. Post representing the Postmaster All OF
the officials reported that al that time the cash
balance reported by the cashier was correct, and
| all the money was In the safe. The cash on hand
varies between $1,000 and $4,000, ana may az
| times be greater than the latter sum- When IL
| fell below the amount of the deficit, II the de-
! falcatiOn has continued for several months, tho
cashier must have borrowed money at times 10
pay the necessary disbursements and deposits.
While the cashiers habits were somewhat dlSsl-
palcd lately. no information could he OBTAINED
as to any recent extravaganza on his part OF
spcculations in Wall Street or elsewhere. lie was
a partner in the hay commission business of Iheo-
dore =. Huffman N Co, and his business affairs
were il was believed. in good condition:
Postmaster Van COtt sent for United States
Commissioner Shields late last night and consulted
with him about the deialcaton. AS Mr.. LounS-
bcrys condition rendered his escape Impossible
no warrant for his arrest was issued Dut IL INC
shooting does not soon result fatally Warrans
will be placed in the hands Of the Postohce IN
suectors Mr. Van Cott and the other officials re-
nained al the PoStotlice until after midnight
making preparations to resume the Work OF the
office to-day without disturbing any further than
necessary the safes used by the cashier. The
Postmaster wished the bondsmen of Mr.. Louns-
berry TO take charge Of his affairs, and see for
themselves that the money reported as on mana
* not in the safes. Mr.. Lounsbery received sal
orv of : 0oO until a few years ago, when il was
reduced to $500. and since the passage of tho
Classification Net by the last Congress his salary
has been $500.
SKETCH OF THE CASHIERS CAREER
Mr.. Lounsbery had the greatest popularity
among his fellow-workmen in the Postofice. He
was about forty-two years old. and was born in
the Mohawk Valley He came TO New-lork when
a vounr man and entered the PoSt0tlice seventeen
wears ago. He at first had a minor cerkshp, Dut
he SO pleased his superIorS that he received pro-
motion after promotion. lie became ASSISTANT
cashier, and seven or eight years ago was made
cashier. and had held that place ever since
For many years he had mouse IN fittielll1rssIG,
but spent Tie summer in H1ckenSack. ms
winter he had lived in the honse In tltleth-st
He at times lived with his family at the Astor
House. lie had wlie ana tnree chllureh nc ne
next. a boy, is nine or ten, and the youngest Is
u baby.
The cashier was a protcge of eX.Postmaster;;
General Thomas L. James, and an intimate friend
OF his and of Postmaster Henry g.
Pearson The two relied on his experience IN
matters connected with the Postotlice 10 n great
extent and consulted him on most Important
matters 1t seemed natural, therefore, that Mr..
Lounsbcrys friends should urge him to become
a candidate for Mr. Pearson's place. The clerks
in the Postohce who liked him exceedingly.
asked him to apply for the place, and he dld.
His friends vent TO work with VIII, ana or
ganilcd a movement in his favor. \ large num-
bcr of petitions, signed. it IS said. by 10000
business men. were sent 10 President HARRISON
and not few depntations of Mr.. Louns-
berys friends visited him. The signatures came
mainly from men who knew that Mr.;
Lounshery had made an efficient cashier, ana
thought il was proper that he should be promoted.