§ 280. Duty of carrier as to unclaimed articles. The proprietors of
the several lines of stages and the proprietors of the several canal
boat lines, and the proprietors of the several steamboats, who shall
have any unclaimed trunks, boxes or baggage within their custody, shall
immediately enter the time the same was left, with a proper description
thereof, in a book to be by them provided and kept for that purpose. In
case the name and residence of the owner shall be ascertained it shall
be the duty of such person who shall have any such property as above
specified, to immediately notify the owner thereof by mail.