The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-02
The Recent Extensive Mail RObberics and
Arrest OF VIM. II. TuckcrmaM.

The Recent Extensive Mall Robberics and
Arrest or VIM. II. Tuckcrman.
From the New Haven Register, Dec. !.
most important arrest took place In this city on sun
day evening for extensive mail robberes committed with
in few weeks past These robberies embraced the en-
tire letter mail several made up at Phladel
pha New Orleans and other points for Boston, at least
mail from Boston for New York and several others
Of ess importance. The officers Of the Post ONCE De-
partment, it seems, have been secretly on the alert 10
ascertain where and by whom these alarming depreda
tons commted-the management or the case hav-
ing been placed in the hands of Mr. Holbrook one OF the
experienced special agents IL soon appeared that
the missing mails chiefly those which would 90 Dy
the railroad roe between New York and Boston on the
Sunday night trains After good deal Of watching and
careful investigation was believed that Springfield was
of the points selected by the robber for his bold ope
raons, but il not until Sunday night, the I'D ut,
that any discoveries were made at that locality me
trains from New York and Boston meet there, and was
observed that the mail from New York was sometimes
left for few moments without lights astenngs. On the
night in question Mr. Hobrook and Mr. Clark ofthe NewYork
Post Office the tran in Disguise on its arrival al
Springfield; and just as the lights were Withdrawn from
the baggage or mail car took up their position therein
near the mails and ready for any emergency, naturally
supposng that the robber, his deeds being evil preferred
darkness rather than light moments suspense, and
an instant the opened and the expected visitor
and instantly struck match, osensiby with which
light segar already Sin POSITION but really no doubt
if all was right During the momentary light from
he aforesaid match, is difficult to determine which had
he advantage Uncle Sans men or the ucifer match adj
venur but believing that the latter would have the
best Of unless something done speedily, Holbrook
Intending pass himself and companion off as bona tide
passengers, just stepping into the baggage car for
that good segar you offered me2' To which "Tom''
Immediately responded BY banding out the Sc, Sc
match had done its worst on both sides, tho
watchers and the watched. 'Give me light il you
please ~ says Hobrook the supposed mail robber,
whereupon the favor instantly granted, and both
smoking away, thus far equally in the dark Pre-
too, jumping of while was in notion To carry out the
idea Of being ordinary passengers the rest OF the com
pany, joined by MI Ghapin postmaster OF Springfield,
the robber had been thwarted for that night at least
indeed, he had not been permanently alarmed Not son,
however, for the New Yord letter pouch from Boston
distracted that night while the vgiant officers
going east, towards Boston.
Fully satisfied from this discovery that the employees
of the railroad companies were in no way implicated
rapid progress could now be safely made IN ascer
tanning who this stranger couId be- when on comparing
who had frequently passed over the route endeavor
ing with too much success, to secure the confidence
and favor Of the conductor and baggage men,
particularly these on the Sunday night trains No susp
had arisen, however of course the loss Of the
mails unknown to them and yet now appears his
frequent passage and unusual familiarity had been made
the subject of conversation Further exertions
suited asceranng the and locry Of this agreeable
traveller, and close watch set upon all his move
ments and every preparation his detection he
repeated the robberies
Just before the train left New York on last Sunday
evening he arrived the depot Twenty seventh street,
but the special agent had arrived before him. and taken
position in the baggage or mail car where he could both
son had often happened before the baggage OF the
suspected party consisted Of large trunk which he de-
cned 70 have marked for any particular point saying that
If he met gentleman at Springfield, where the trains
meet, he should return to New York that night. GAN
right" says the baggage master and tee aforesaid trunk
placed by itself where II could readily be controlled
by the final decision of its
Before reaching Sanford he again appeared in the bag
gage where he purpOsely left alone for few mo
ments while "wooding up and the opportunity was i'm
proved by transferring the New Orleans mail pouch from
its proper place the trunk Of destination.
Rae 10 M
vial the conductor and being left alone for
a moment while the hands We're stbreaking upo he as
dexteousy removed the deposits from the trunk back TO
their former position.
The rest Of the story be told in few words At
the depot in this city Mr.. H. out from his close
quarters and at once arrested William s. Tuckerman
the author OF all these bold mail robberes Upon his
person and his valse found the most overwhelm
ing evidences that mistake had been made in the man.
and he after committed to jail
The trunk referred to and its fixtures bear
the strongest proofs Of having been prepared
for the illegal purposes to which il put
this occasion, having peculiar lock TO admit of
its being opened without the slightest inconvenience, or
Of key and the vase which found inside con-
tanning heavy weights lest the ghness OF the trunk
point and heavness at another after receiving the
mails, should attract attention and lead to suspicion
His uniform and gentlemany department. and very re-
spectacle appearance, had prevented any suspicious
among the hands as TO the object of unusual cives
and iamary-and his fondness for smoking and liberal
distribution OF the best quality of cigars had furnished the
petex and paved the way for often riding the baggage
1t hoped that the lesson taught in this instance
the risk and improperly Of allowing outsiders in the cars
provided for mails and baggage will not be lost upon the
managers and employees OF New England and other rail-
roads.
The prisoner was informally brought before United
States Commissioner Z. X. lngerso yesterday, and his
place
formerly treasurer of the Boston and Maine Railroad Com
pany. He has an estimabe wife residing in New York