New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-27
FRAUDS ON THE COUNTY.
THE FUNERAL OF ONE MAN PAID FOR THREE
TIMES IN BROOKLYN.

ASTONISHING TESTIMONY REGARDING THE
BOGUS BURIAL OF WAR vETERANs-sUPER-
VISOR LEWIS sURRENDERs HIMSELF
There were some astonishing developments IN
regard to the frauds perpetrated upon the Kings
County treasury by the payment OF bogus ouildi
bills for veterans of the war at the continuation
of the hearing yesterday before committee OF the
Board of Supervisors in Brooklyn Inc reihaih-
able fact was brought out that there had Deeh
three payments for the burial OF one man. anu
that according TO the bills he had been buried
twice In one day Already the Illegal expenditure
of a large sum Of money in this connection has
been disclosed and two indictments have been
found by the Grand Jury. There is a possibility
that another Grand Jury may be called upon 10
deal with the matter.
Yesterday the investigation related TO three bills
for the burial of Sergeant William Kemm, OF Com
pany l. S9th Regiment and of Company +, 'oth
Regiment New York Volunteers He enlisted
twice. and was honorably discharged twice. on
May g. 1884, he died at No. 80 Foyd-st On May H.
1884, a bill of s35 for his burial was paid to Michael
Zirkel an undertaken at No. 81 Throop-ave. Brook
Ign. On May 20. 1893. second bill for Kemm
burial was paid to r. Becker, alleged undertaken
who cannot be found. the wifes name and the
names of the witnesses being bogus. On the same
day a third bill for Kemms burial paid TO
Helen SANFORD, an alleged daughter. of No. 116
Portland-st. There is no such street in Brooklyn
The witnesses are also fanciful. The check paid
TO Miss Sanford indorsed III. Sanford" and
Martin F. Comfy" the latter being Supervisor
Comfy This bill removed from the files in
the clerks Office OF the Board of Supervisors on
June 49, so as to conceal the fraud of paying twice
in one day for the burial of the
Mr.. T. Dowden, assistant clerk of the Super
visors, testified that he had examined the bills on
file and had been unable to find the two alleged to
be fraudulent. He could not explain how they had
cy.1
and any person who entered the Office could have
to them. they in pigeon holes be-
hind glass doors which were not fastened
The books from the County Treasurer's Office
produced TO show the payment OF $50 each
TO r. Becker and II. Sanford The payments had
been made to the persons named in the checks or
to a Supervisor. according to Clerk Mcclure 1t
was shown that in the application for the payment
Of the bill the name H. Sanford was not signed
but was represented by mark. In the checKs'
however the name was written, showing that some
one had written it for the payee, or that she had
learned TO write in the space of a few days.
Supervisor Comfy identified his signature on the
check payable to II. Sanford but he did not Know
who asked him to sign it. He thought some friend
brought 1t to him. He did not know II. SANFORD
bue he frequently Endorsed checks on the County
and City Treasurers for friends.
The records of the Health Department showed
that William Kemm died May 9. 1891, and
no one of that name had died since then. Mrs.
Della Rhinehart a daughter of Sergeant Kemm.
testified to his death and the payment of his burial
expenses in 1884, and said that she knew moth
ing OF the second and third payments.
Harvey T. Lewis Supervisor OF the Seven
teenth Ward Brooklyn. who indicted by the
July Grand Jury for alleged complieity with Rich
ard Corey real estate and insurance agent IN, IN
for the funeral expenses of war veterans; walked
into the District Attorneys office in brooklyn
yesterday afternoon and surrendered himself:
Mr.. Lewis found that his bail had been fixed n
5000 and he obtained bondsman In Thomas +.
Burke a plumber of No. 163 Columbia st, who
gave surety for his appearance for trial
Corey cannot be found. and il is supposed that he
IS out of the city. Supervisor Lewis vouched Tor
Corey and ndorsed the check which was drawn
by the County Treasurer for the burial OF man
who is not dead The check was paid by Louis
Often. IT is expected that the Supervisor Will be
arragned to plead to-day. He VIII appear at the
hearing to testify tomorrow.