Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-11
WILL THEY INDICT 2
PROBABLY SEVERAL BILLS, If ANY
Az Least Three More Transactiens
That May BE Inquired Into-Mrs'
Bnrton,s Brother now with Her
Letter 10 a Friend.


consider the question Of whether or not
there has been anything criminal In tne
business transactions OF Mr.. James IL
Barton, whose recent failure and tne suD-
seouent developments in connection there-
with have attracted so much attehtioh'
Commonwealths-Attor Sands mas
only prepared An indictment In the cane
of the sale made to Mr.. John 4. Rose
where a building-fund loan of $500 was
put on his property before he had his deed
of bargain and sale recorded. but II ID
understood that II true bill Is returneu
In this case at least three others OF
similar character will be brought to the
attention of the grand jury.
Mr.. Sands said last night that there
were no new developments, SO far as ne
was informed. He was not In a position
TO discuss what would probably be the
grand jurys action. There is difference
of opinion among lawyers on the subject
Another case came to light yesterday in
which a gentleman who purchased house
and lot In 1895 has just learned that there
has been a buildIng-fund loan Of $500 on
the same property since 1891.
HER BROTHER ARRIVES.
Mr.. Charles Collier. Of Little Rock.
Ark, a brother of Mrs. Barton has come
on here, and is with her at the Heights.
1t is not known how long he will be
here. but probably for several days
Mr.. and Mrs. T. A. Lamb. who have
been with Mrs. Barton for some time,
left for home yesterday afternoon. Mr..
Lamb was quoted yesterday as saying
he had no idea where Mr.. Barton was.
IL is believed, however. that at least one
letter, and perhaps more. has been re-
ceived from the absent real estate dealer
since his departure.
LETTER FROM HIS WIFE.
Mrs. Barton. in a letter written to
friend in Little Rock. Ark, which was
printed in the Little Rock Gazette. copies
OF which paper were sent to friends OF
the family here. explains the cause OF her
husbands business downfall. In this
communication, which Is quite long. Mrs.
Barton states that after the first shock
of the assignment had passed over she
learned that there were irregularities IN
Mr.. Bartons business, which, on ac-
count of his failure, amounted to fraud,
and made him liable TO prosecution. Mrs.
Barton here goes on to say what was
published In the Dispatch couple or
ton to see Judge Christian, Mr. Bar
toms counsel, for advice, and he frankly
told her that criminal proceedings might
be instituted. 1t was on the Following
morning that Mr.. Barton took his de-
parture. Mrs. Barton tells next OF wiring
to Mr. r. A. Lamb and wife, at Memphis.
and of their arrival here on the following
Thursday morning.
WHAT LED TO HIS FAILURE.
Urt, about her hnoha nd'Q
troubles. Mrs Barton in this letter says:
"Henry's ruin has been brought about
by lack of systematic bookkeeping. He
never allowed anybody to teach him.
do not know how far the irregularities
reach, but / know enough to know that
unless he can borrow $1,000 or $4,000
my dear, good husband will be ruined
man. and never be able at his age to
recover himself. You will have to be
patient while / try to tell you what
do know: Under the stress OF the hard
times and the stringency Of the money
world he has tried to carry on this thing.
which required an immense sum or
money. After he had used the money
he brought here in street work, sewer
age. water-works, bridge, and street.
cars. he had to borrow largely. His
only collaterals were the small monthly
notes. When he used these as collate-
raj he had to put up nearly two for one.
besides submit to heavy discounts.
"It happened a number Of times that
parties holding notes and having paid
along on them would find themselves
unable to pay, and he would make a
readjustment. taking smaller notes to
help them out. Then. knowing that the
banks already had plenty OF good COLA
terals to save them. and not realiz-
ing the awful danger OF accident or
failure he put these second notes up
somewhere else. expecting to pay the
banks and get all the collaterals and de-
stroy the first set Of notes. HIS failure
was sudden-caused by the unforeseen
shutting down OF the bank-and so over
welmirg that he did not have time to
protect all, and probably a dozen other
neople finding themselves with two sets
of notes, II money could be secured
to buy UP all the collateral for the
bank claims. the party loaning the
money would have plenty OF good Sc
curity. and then by destroying these
worthless notes. Mr.. Barton would be
relieved. Mr. Barton has not dollar In
the world. He gave up everything. and
unless an adjustment can be reached we
are poor. indeed"
PEOPLE KIND TO HER.
Mrs. Barton refers to the kindness OF
the Barton Heights people toward her,
and in this connection she says:
Several homes are at my disposal here.
where I am made to feel that my
presence would be a personal favor.
Mrs Mary Lamb from New York. has
written offering me a room and board
as her guest as long as I can stay with
her, and her letter Is one Of the most
beautiful I have ever read. The ladies
here vie with each other In staying with
me-sendlng me trays OF dainty food. do
ing my sewing. and In every way
helping me bear my burdens. Many tears
OF men. as we'll as women. have been
shed for our misfortune.
A.