§ 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.