The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-07

NE MAS Nor rLr LOOhLD JNIO
MR.. BdRTON's AFFAIRS.
An Offciai Opinion, He says. Would bs
Improper NJ This Time-Mrs. Barton
Has Not Heard From Her Husband.

When commonwealths Attorney Sands
was seen last night he expressed some i.
surprise that he Had been quoted as say
ing that although he had ooked into
James IL. Bartons method Of doing busI-
ness. he had found nothing to warrant
bringing criminal proceedings against
him."
AS a matter Of fact. Mr. Sands said that
he had not as yet looked into tho case.
and II he had. be would not feet that II
was proper for him 10 express any opinion
prior to the meeting Of the grand jury.
His statement as reported, he sahs had
been made in an off-hand way and was TO
the effect that he had not investigated the
case. but from that little he had read and
heard he had not been able to fix upon
any criminal action.
You know" said Mr. Sasls. "it 10
necessary to prove intent TO hefraud to
ldnauguraic criminal proceedings have
not examined the matter as yet and. as
said. would not make an official state
ment at present ii had
MIR. BARTON HAS NOT WRITTEN.
From authentic information obtained
Yesterday, II was asccrtaincd positively
that Mr.. Barton has never been heard
from since his departure from this city.
ana no one. not even Mrs Barton IL
aware OF his Whereabouts. A short time
atter MS departure a letter was received
from his neice I'm New York. stating that
spe had seen and talked with him there.
since that time not a line has been re.
| ctlNed from him, and II is stated that Mrs.
haitoh mas said she would not be sur
prised at any time 20 hear that he had
committed suicide
some time back IL was stated upon the
authonty OF two citizens of Barton
heighis, that Mrs Phillips. a widow. had
been turned out OF her house bv Mr.
Barton because she fai'ed % pay her
notes when they became due. This story
Is now denied by those tn position to
know the facts in the case. and Il is stated
that upon the death OF Mrs. Phillips hus-
band Mrs. Barton took her children
and cared for them. and when Mrs Phil
lips expressed a wish 10 return 10 her
family at the North. AIr. Barton purchas-
ed ticket and gave II To her. This action
Is said to have besn I'm keeping with the
beautiful Christian character OF Mrs Bar
ton. who Is noted for her many charities.
SERVANTS WON'T LEAVE HER.
Perhaps the strongest proof or her low
able disposition Is shown by the at
tachment which her servants manifest FOR
her They were ali paid mp to date n
few days ago by Mr.. Lamb. and Mrs
Barton told them she could not AFFORD to
keep them any longer. They all declar-
ed. however. that they would not leave
her. and said. I'VE will stay until YOU
are ready 10 90. and we don't want any
pay at ALL" They are still with Mrs.
Barton.
As before stated. Mrs Barton will re-
main an Barton Heights until after the
sale OF The house and furniture which VIII
take place on HE 18th instant. Mr.. and
Mrs. Lamb viii then take Mrs. Barton
with them 70 New York. where they VIII
live together.
Tile bosom friends Of Mrs. Barton say
that she is completely crushed by the
actions of Mr.. Barton. and never had any
hlea Of his affairs until a reporter call
ed upon hcr and real her the account
which had leen published The paper
containing the account had been hid from
her by her friends. aud sh" nearly faint
ed when she heard what her husband had
done.
HARASSEp BY CREDITORS.
Mrs. BARTON has been much harassei by
Mr.. Barton's creditors since his departure,
and last SUNDAY she said II was such
relief and blessing 10 her that Il was
day Of rest and no one ia her house
looking for articles Of value 10 mako good
money done away with by Mr.. Barton.
\ few days ago all the carriages and
horses owned by Air. Barton were sold
by n party residing near the Heights
TO recover money which he had borrowed
upon them.
u Is said that Mr Turpin. VIII" has
boon in the employ Of Mr.. Barton for
wears. told an Intimate friend a Few
days ago that he was entirely ruined, ana
would have to begin lie all over again.