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Story
July 3, 1913
Semi Weekly Herald
Durango, La Plata County, Colorado
What is this article about?
The U.S. government holds $740 in unclaimed gold and silver bullion from 19th-century depositors in San Francisco and New York, which it cannot legally appropriate per Comptroller Downey's ruling, despite the bookkeeping burden.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
UNCLAIMED MONEY IN
UNCLE SAM'S HANDS
Because he has no "profit and loss" bookkeeping item in his purse at the treasury department, Uncle Sam has 740 unclaimed dollars on hand which are a troublesome asset. The old gentleman is tired of carrying the money on his books; it is costly too, in bookkeeper time, and yet he can't get rid of it, Comptroller Downey has ruled.
Of the total, $610.13 represents gold bullion left at the San Francisco mint by the "Forty-Niners" and never claimed by the owners. The balance represents silver bullion left at the New York assay office years ago.
Neither the owners nor their heirs have ever demanded payment by the government. The comptroller insists it is not legal for the government to appropriate the money by carrying it into the general treasury funds.
The creditors in San Francisco, probably long since dead, were H. J. Peters, Joseph Baker and J. H. Southern. Thomas P. Davis left the silver bullion at the New York assay office in 1888.
UNCLE SAM'S HANDS
Because he has no "profit and loss" bookkeeping item in his purse at the treasury department, Uncle Sam has 740 unclaimed dollars on hand which are a troublesome asset. The old gentleman is tired of carrying the money on his books; it is costly too, in bookkeeper time, and yet he can't get rid of it, Comptroller Downey has ruled.
Of the total, $610.13 represents gold bullion left at the San Francisco mint by the "Forty-Niners" and never claimed by the owners. The balance represents silver bullion left at the New York assay office years ago.
Neither the owners nor their heirs have ever demanded payment by the government. The comptroller insists it is not legal for the government to appropriate the money by carrying it into the general treasury funds.
The creditors in San Francisco, probably long since dead, were H. J. Peters, Joseph Baker and J. H. Southern. Thomas P. Davis left the silver bullion at the New York assay office in 1888.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Unclaimed Money
Gold Bullion
Silver Bullion
Forty Niners
Comptroller Ruling
Treasury Department
What entities or persons were involved?
H. J. Peters
Joseph Baker
J. H. Southern
Thomas P. Davis
Comptroller Downey
Where did it happen?
San Francisco Mint, New York Assay Office
Story Details
Key Persons
H. J. Peters
Joseph Baker
J. H. Southern
Thomas P. Davis
Comptroller Downey
Location
San Francisco Mint, New York Assay Office
Event Date
1849 (Forty Niners) And 1888
Story Details
Uncle Sam holds $740 in unclaimed gold and silver bullion from Forty-Niners in San Francisco and Thomas P. Davis in New York in 1888; owners or heirs never claimed it, and Comptroller Downey rules government cannot appropriate it into general funds.