Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-09-15
From the Chicago Times of 22d ut. The Arrest of James O. Brayman

l tors of the Chicago Democrat, had been arrest | ed for purlolnln9 letters from the Chicago post | office. When we heard of it it was several hours old, and not until we heard the particu- lars of the whole case could we realize the dis | tressng fact. MT. Brayman was arrested at a ! quarter before s o'clock in the morning, and was taken before commissioner Mouton, where an examination was waived, and he was held to bail in the sum of nine thousand dollars for his appearance before the United States district court Subsequently,, however, he withdrew | his waiver of an examination, but ask ed a post ponement of 1t for two weeks, and reduction of bail. The United States attorney consent ed to both requests, and the examination was postponed until September Sth, and the bail was fixed at S5,0OO-Messrs ohn Wentworth, Luther Haven, John S. Buchanan, and l.. A. Willard, becoming sureiies.
 The facts of the case are we believe as fol- lows: For a considerable period of time, J ohn McNally x Co.,, periodical dealers and station CTS, on Dearborn street. have missed letters con- taining money and drafts from their country customers. So great had been these losses that the utmost vigilance was resorted to 10 detect the person puroinng them. On the 9th of July Mir Dennis, the local mail agent, con- menced registry of all letters placed in Me Nally's drawer, and notwithstanding the utmost DiIlS, lHduy Ol tuco0 ltttCiS WOuiu DC dUoIIdCl- ei. It was discovered that the purloiner would rarely take all the letters at one time; he would select few, sometimes a larger and again a smaller proportion of the contents of the drawer. From this, as well as other circumstances, sus- picon was directed against another or other parties, who were narrowly watched, but in vain; at length the officers became satisfied that some one not at all suspected was guilty. For a still closer watch, MT. Dennis himself asso- cated with Mir. Matthew Riordon and Mir. D. Darden, clerks of the office, and young man belonging to Pinkerton and Co.'S detective force.
 The first discovery was made by Pinkerton's aid, who from hiding place, saw man un- lock the drawer and open it; but, there being nothing in 1t at the time, closed it, relocked it, and returned the key to his pocket. A descrip- tion of this person was made, and it fully CO., vered MT. Brayman. No one however, sus- pected him. McNally's drawer is situated in the western part of the office, near the door opening into the alley, and in close proximity to the boxes of the several newspapers of the city. The next discovery was made by Mir. Darden, who, hidden within few feet of the drawer, and commanding full view of the whole entry, and of all who mi ght come in or go out of that part of the office, saw a person
 
 crat drawer, remove the papers, and relock it; he then took out another key. unlocked Nc Nally'S drawer, took out of 1t several letters, relocked the drawer, and went out by the door leading into the alley. Mr. Darden knew Mr. Brayman, and, though he followed him out and took another View of him. he doubted the evidence ot his own SenseS-that he could do such an act. Upon examining McNally's drawer, 1t was ascertalned that seven letters had been taken by Braymau-two of them being decoy letters placed there with marked money, with view to detection.
 The officers then resolved to have one more trial, and, if possible to arrest the guilty per son in the act. With this view Darden took up his position where he could see any person opening the drawer and for better notice cord was attached to the rear of the drawer, and passing round was attached to Dardeu's arm and another cord passed from Darden to Den his, who was stationed in the alley within few feet of the door. At seven o'clock the watchers took their respective positions. At little af- ter half past seven o'clock, Mr. Brayman en- tered the office, unlocked and took out the ex- changes from the Democrat drawer, reocked the drawer, and put the key in his pocket He then took out another key, put it in Me Nally's drawer, unlocked 1t, took out some let ters which he put into his pantaloons pocket relocked the drawer, and restored the key to his pocket, and then passed out into the alley. As soon as he unlocked McNally's drawer, Dar- den from his hiding place sgnaled to Dennis who was in the alley, and Dennis immediately stepped to the post-otiice door and saw Bray man take out the letters, place them ill his pock- ct, and relock the drawer.
 Brayman passed into the alley and turned westward towards Clark street, but had gone but few steps when Dennis spoke to him and requested him to enter the mail agents room. Without one word Bravman complied Dar- den by this time joined them. The letters were taken from Brayman's pantaloons pocket and subsequently were opened-two contained mo- thing of value, the other draft for twenty nine dollars. Mir. Bravmau offered no explanation; he seemed overcome with consternation at his position.
 Subsequently,, however, he said to Pinkerton that he found boy opening McNally's drawer, and not believing the boy had any right to do so, he (Braymau) had drlven off the boy and took the letters and relocked the drawer intend- ing to return the letters and key to McNally. We understand and greatly regret that this is the only explanation that Mir. Brayman offers. We forbear comment. The officers state that no boy or any other person was within seeing or speaking distance at the time and Darden saw nun UNLOCK tue drawer, OOtQ saw nm take the letters out and reock the drawer.
 We have thus given the facts of the case there was much excitement yesterday concern ing it, and, had not the examination been post poned to such remote period, We would have waited for the testimony. Considering that the public had right to full knowledge of the matter, we have thought it our duty to give an account of it. McNaly & Co. have been great sufferers. Their known losses have reach- ed nearly Sl,OOO. lts a peculiar circumstance that no dr&ft lnclosed in any of the ,purloined letters has ever been presented for payment They have all, because of the danger of detec- tion, If presented, undoubtedly been destroyed The officers engaged in the detection have had long and laborious time of il; and, though as much astonished as any one at the person de- tected, they have performed their duty most faithfully No arrest was made until cumula- tive proof of guilt was asceraned, and then only when the accused was detected in the very act of guilt, with the purloined letters and duplicate key in his pocket.
 We do not know that we ever penned A line with more heartfelt reluctance than we have felt in writing this statement of the circum- stances of this arrest. Mir. Brayman was an editor, he was professional associate; we had with him most friendly, though not intimate acquaintance. He was the brother of Mason Brayman, esq, an old and valued friend. He stood hlshin the estimation of all who knew him for probity and for an especial devotion to the cause of religion. He was an officer. we be- lieve, of several religious associations of this State. We would be glad to know some means by which Mir. Brayman could be released from his present. awful position; but, as we have no design to say word to add to the grief of his friends will say no more
 UT A St. Helena letter in the Jounal of Commerce says:
 The Island has been sorely pestered these lew years past by species of small white ant that was brought here in the wood of vessel from the coast of A Africa and now sAvarrns hu