Burlington Free Press

Rathbun, Buffalo is gradually recovering from the shock occasioned by the
failure and forgeries of Mr Rathbun, who,
though so recently employing the heads and
hands of a thousand men, and wielding millions
of dollars, is now the inmate of a prison.
Yes, this extraordinary man, who but
yesterday was lord of most he surveyed, is
now consigned to a cell four foot wide and
eight long! He was struck down in the
very mid day of a career of unparalleled
enterprise the memorials attract the eye in
every direction. All the various and beautiful
specimens of taste and genius which
adorn this magic city, are the creations of
Mr Rathbun. This spacious church, yonder
beautiful Theatre, that splendid Hotel.
those numerous blocks of stores, and these
elegant mansions were all erected by Rath-
bun. These stores, filled with merchandise,
invite custom under the name "B.
Rathbun." This blacksmith's shop, this
coachmaker's shop, these brick and lime
kilns, and that saw mill, all belong to Rath-
bun. Those stages running hence to Chautauque,
to Batavia, and to Niagara Falls.
all bear the name of B Rathbun. In short,
this most extraordinary man was either
directly or remotely connected with all the
business relations of Buffalo and the surrounding
country. His brother, Lyman
Rathbun, who managed the money department
is confined in another cell. His nephew,
Rathbun Allen, the clerk who is supposed
to have committed the forgeries, was
arrested in Ohio, and was committed to
the same prison. The wife of B. Rathbun
is held in universal regard. In her praise
every tongue is eloquent, and for her every
heart in this city bleeds. Lyman Rathbun
also has an estimable wife, who is overwhelmed
in affliction.- Corres. Alb. Jour.
The cause which led Rathbun to his final
bad conduct, was doubtless the intoxicating
power that money gave him. Among the
ambitious and the vulgar in the west, the
thirst for gold is intense; and the reverence
with which one who has it is regarded almost
to idolatry. In all the western
villages of New York where speculators
flourish, there is an abject subserviency to
the capitalists on the part of business people,
which would only befit a slave. Let a man
be possessed of means, and let his character
be ever so dark or dubious, he will find
a long train of worshippers, ready at all times
"To crook the pregnant hinges of the knee;
Where thrift may follow fawning."
and with whom it is very difficult to resist
the triumph of silver.-Phil. Gaz.