New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-25
POSTOFFICE MONEY GONE.
THE CASHIER, G. H. LOUNSBERY. SHOOTS
HIMSELF.

GIVE Up HIS PosITIoY-A DEFICIT OF MORE
THAN s25 900 IN HIS ACCoUNTs-How THE
SHORTAGE WAS DIsCovERED-FoR
MANY YEARS HE WAS A TRUSTED
EMPLoYE IN THE OFFICE AND
WAS A CANDIDATE FOR
POSTMASTER TO Sue
CEED MR. PEARSON.
George H. Lounsbery, who had been for ten
years the trusted cashier of the New-Iork POST
office, and through whose hands many millions OF
dollars have passed. shot himself yesterday at MS
home in IIackensacll n. j., after an Investigation
had shown that nearly $50, 900 of the POstofce
money ntrusted to him missing. He was pop
ular with many Business men and had been
O. candidate for appointment as Postmaster
before Mr.. Van Cott was selected for the ofhce
lie had recently become somewhat disslpated,
but he still retained the confidence OF most OF
his ossociates Postmaster Van Cott, though he
had decided TO remove him from Office had no
reason TO suspect that he was dishonest. Inc
news of his defalcation and attempt at suicide
was received with surprise and dismay at the
Postofice and among his friends in this city and
in Hackensack.
1t was learned at lat hour last night that Mr..
Lounsbery attempted to commit suicide on :
day morning by asphyXiation. His daughter
discovered him lying on the bed nearly uncon-
conscious from the effects of escaping gas.
MIR VAN corT DECIDES on A CHANGE.
Postmaster Van Cott decided several weeks
ago that he must make change in the manage
mcnt of the Postofiice finances. Reports reached
him of the dissipated habits Of Mr. LOunsbcry.
The cashier was seen at times in places of public
resort. acting boiserously, though in his ordinary
condition he was quiet and polite. He was at
times moody and erratc while in charge of his
office Mr.. Van Cott a few days ago asked for
his resignation, and it had been arranged that
the transfer Of the stamps, stamped envelopes,
postal cards and cash should be made to-day to
Richard NJ Van Cott son Of the Postmaster, who
was 10 take charge Of the cashiers office until
the Postmaster selected permanent cashier.
Mr.. Van Cott finally announced on Thursday
"a Mr. LouDsbery that he must be prepared 70
surrender the Office on the following day. The
cashier had been sick with the influenza. and had
complained Of pains in the eyes and forehead.
He seemed willing to give up his duties. and
assentcd TO the suggestion that the transfer be
made Yesterday morning Assistant Cashier l.. II.
I.eetch. who lives in Jersey City, and who had
been absent from the Postoflice for several days
on account of sickness, was sent for, and he was
present yesterday morning.
j. W. Wood, superintendent Of the Registry De-
partmcnt: Thomas A. Jardnes, the auditor, and
Thomas J. Moran. an assistant cashier. were to
mako the examination of Mr.. Lounsberys ac-
counts preparatory 10 the transfer of the Office.
They were at tue cashiers office at an early hour,
but Mr. Lounsbery did not appear They sup
posed that his absence might be due to his sick
ness and waited for a time. Finally they de-
cided 10 proceed in his absence. Mr.. Leetch, who,
with Mr.. Lounsbery, knew the combination of the
safe. opened the door. According to the daily re-
mort which Mr. Lounsbcry had sent to Postmaster
Van Cott on thursday, the sum of $27,'OS 20
.honll have been in the safe. IL was the cash
on hand reported at the close Of that day.
THE CASH FOUND TO BE MI ss1NG.
The examiners found in the safe small pile
Of bills and some silver, amounting altogether TO
somewhat more than $500 They looked every
where for the rest of the money. but could not
find it. The small compartment at
the TOP of the safe where money
was sometimes kept contained only Some
letters and other papers
The examiners searched the safe thoroughly
and soon after noon became thoroughly satisfied
that the money which should have been there
was missing. Superintendent Wood reported
thc facts TO the Postmaster. and said that unless
some explanation was made by the absent cashier
there was reason to believe that defalcation had
occurred Mr.. Van Cott directed Mr. Wood TO
90 70 Uackcnsack to see Mr.. Lounsberv and If
possibe bring him to New-lork. Mr.. Wood ar
rived in IIackcnsack about , 80 p. m. and went
TO Mr.. Lounsbery's house.
The cashier appeared TO be in state Of great
mental excitement lie was nervous in his man
nor and seemed TO dread any inquiry. Mr
Wood made no direct accusation, as he did not
wish to nut the cashier on his guard. lie said
that the examination must 20 on and the stamps
.tc be transferred TO the new cashier. Mr.. Louns
bery asscntcd and said that he was willing TO
trust his interests with the boys or his as
si>topts-in the Office Mrs Lounsbery. who was
prcscnt at the interview, was anxious and alarmed
She urged her husband TO tell her if there was
ANYTHING wrong in his accounts. She said TO
him. You were restless and kept MS awake al
most al of last night and | want you to tell me
what Is the matter. , D,
and walked upstairs. lie refused TO come down
stairs again when his wife called HIM, ana Mr.
Wood returned 10 Newly Orl without seeing him
again lie reached the Office about o'clock ana
reported To Postmaster Van COtt
INSPECTORS PUT on THE CASE.
The Postmaster at once sent for the postonce
inspcctors and Chief Inspector NJ. ID. Wheeler
and Inspectors IIarshorn and Morris reported 70
the Postmaster lie informed them of tie facts
already ascertained, and they went at once to
Uackcnsack Mr. Wheeler, in his subsequent Ie-
port TO the Postmaster, said that they reached
Uackensaci u minutes after o'clock. Mr.
Wheeler rang the bell at Mr.. LounsberyS house
and a man came TO the door and III an excited
tone asked if he would not so for a physician
Mr.. Wheeler said that he could not do So ana
entered the house. lie was informed that Mt
Iounsbery had shot himself ten minutes before
the inspectors arrived. Mr.. Wheeler says that
thc scene at the house was heartrcndlng. Inc
wife Of the cashier was completely overpowered
bv her grief, and her anguish was pltllui TO 'he
uioor, Nr Wheeler went to Mr.. LOunSoerS