The times., 1897-09-01


case OF mr. Frederick s Coburn and his
alleged scheme for getting the better OF
the Government have come rapidly and
with al entertaining variety OF interest
since the first story OF his troubles was
published in The Times on Monday morn
ing During the few short hours OF yes
terday's working day three attachments
were obtained frola Justice O'Neil on
the drug store property by small creditors
constable served the attachments and
began TO take away the property. The
Postoffice inspectors discovered the amount
OF Columns alleged defalcatioh, the Gov
ernmeuu sued HIM for the amount. $1,000,
Mr.. CobuIH, through his lawyer, confess ed
Judgment, and two Cnited States mar
sIiaIs took possession OF what was left
OF the S. 600 stock i'll salts faction of
the Government claim
1t is said now that all of Mr.. Coburn's
Indebtedness. both In the way of ordinary
bills ami because Of bis alleged manipu
lation Of hogus money orders, has been
wiped out, and that the only remaining
trouble cor him today is the criminal
prosecution by the Government. At a late
hour last night the inspectors reported
that no trace OF him had yet been dis
covered, however, and it seems possible
that he may neveI be apprehended.
Early in the DAY yesterday the soda
water ceased TO flzz in Mr.. Coburn's foun
tains, aud the capsicum porous Idasters
and quinine began to disappear in large
packing boxes. The store was closed for
business Mr.. Leadbeater, the Alexandria
drug manufacturer, and Mr. Henry Evans.
tile druggist, had claims for small amounts
against Mr.. Cobum, and there was also
q grocery bill from a local firm. These
Were put In the hands or q lawyer several
days ago, but he did not press them except
toraquest that they be paid. when Cohurn' S
story was printed exclusively in The Times
Monday morning, and II was learned that,
besides being in trouble, he was alleged
to have fled the city, these creditors be-
came frightened.
As published in The Times yesterday
morning the suit brought by one OF Mir
Cotmrn's partners showed that tie title
to the druG store property was in some
doubt. However, the lawyer for these
ere. ltors relieved that no matter who
was finally adjudged the owner Of the
properly
TO pursue would he 10 get possession OF
his share Of 1t Immediately. The constable
was on the premises Monday afternoon
and yesterday morning, and before noon
yesterday lie had begun to haul away q
portion of the stock.
Some time during the forenoon Chief
Inspector Hamlet. OF the POstGffice De
partment and his assistants had finished
the inspection of the accounts OF Mr.. Co
burns branch pOstoffice sufficiently &c
know that the amount OF his shorta ge
wouId be at least S4 200. A suit for this
amount was filed by the United States
yesterday at moo n.
Contrary TO the usual manner of waiting
three or four days before coTfessing judg
ment, Mr.. Thomas Taylor, the attorney.
came into the court a few moments after
the suit was filed yesterday, and, stating
that he represented MIR. Coburnl confessed
judgment for the full amount. With thb
judgment two United States marshals were
sent to the drug store and took away what
remained Of the property.
The Eoung clerk left in charge of the
store 10y Mr. CObuTn when he left on Satur-
day, is stiII very loyal to his old employer
He refused both the inspectors and the
newspaper men a picture Of his employer
If he had ane, and defended him against
the charges made against him in every
way. This young man said that the debts
Of the store, aside from the claim of tn,
Government, were small and insighificani
compared with its value which, he said
was $1,000 or more, and he Sc emed very
sorry that the creditors had seen fit to
take the step Of closing it up.
The posJoffice inspectors are only hOpefu
OF catching Coburn, but as yet have yer.
little ground for their belief. They
are oking for him ia Boston, where h,
tCld his cler K he was going when he left
and in New York, Philadelphia, and TIVE
other cities, but as yet have found M
clew. From the elaborate and almost
perfect systa m OF wor king his money order /;
described fully In The Times heretofore
ir seems that DR.. Coburn is g. shrewd an
very clever maa, and that he may be abl
| to eyade the authorities successfully. I
is said, however, that he may return b.
! the advice of his lawyer
Attorney Taylor took she STEP Of sci
| Ting with the Government Immediately &
| make his clients criminal case as favora tl
| as possible In the eyes OF the courts. I
was stated by District Attorney Davis ye,
terday, however, that he would prosecute
/ DR.. Coburn, and that he had no doub
| that he had good case against him. Nj
! Taylor, on the other hand, is said TO b
v.rv eanfidant