The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-09
Wrening Cclsgmph
FRlpAY. DECEMBgN Q. ls0l.
A GREAT MAIL ROBBERY.


n Mail nag Containing 900 Letters stolen
The Rag RlHcd OfDraus . the Amount
of If.OOO-Arrest Of the l.Obber.
Fron, me CA,eago Journal
' About the fret Of November a through mail
\ rom Galesburg, Illinois, was despatched for
|tbicago on the regular night train from the
former to the latter place, ont Chicago, Bur
lington, and Quincy Railroad. Tits through mail
comprising about six hundred letters, and the
usual vaFe Of newspapers, cir ulars, &c, in
single bag, failed to reach the city and the makers
or drafts contained therein falling to receive
anything in the shape Of Acknowledgements, began
to address letters Of inquiry to lae postmasters at
Chicago and Galesburg.
The postmaster at the latter place conferred
with Postmaster Scripps, Of Chicago, the result
Of which was very unsatisfactory to both parties.
The Galosburg official had trac up the matter,
ant was certain that the bag had duly left his
office and been put on board Of the baggage car
and he was convinced that it must have been
lost, either between the depot ir this city and th5
4 hitago Post Office, or ~ the later place itself
he Government machinery failed 70 dtsc3ye
II ny clue whatever TO the missing mail, and the
Anatter was given up for lost, when accident
stared a train that in skilful hands, soon turned
mp the valuable portion Of the mail aud the daring
TObber.
On Saturday afternoon Bowen Brothers, Of this
city, informed Superintendent pf Police Tuttle
q at a man bad presented a 400 draft 70 them
(which they we're suspicious was not all right.
superintendent Iutte had heard Ol the missing
Email affair, and learning that the draft drawn
in Galesburg at once decided upon his course.
Vile procured the arrest Of the man who had
Nohered the draft, and upon searching him found
fbeyenteen letters, containing us many drafts,
tupOn his person, and memoranda Of cOnsidera-
Nhle value TO the detectives. Following the trail,
his room at the Hatch House was entered, and
Nan examination of his trunk revC led twenty-five
kOthCr letters, each containing draft, making in
Nall thirty mine drafts, representing $4,000.
Superintendent Tuttle then sent for Postmaster
IScripps, and the latter was astonihed at the
klations which were then made tn him. The Post
Nmaster ut GaleSbnrg was notified and he arrived
tyesterday morning. The JOY OF the latter knew
nno bounds, as he had been greatly annoyed by
Xthe complaints and unjust reflections that had
y been directed against him. He was profuie in
Whis compliments to the skill and success which
i1had marked Superintendent Tut5le's action.
III The name Of the robber is John b. Zimmerman,
~ young man of twenty-five or thereabOuts, of
respectable appearance and considerable iutelli-
Igence lie is well known about Galesburg. Find
J,og himself lost beyond a hope, he yielded to the
Edyce Of his CaptOrs and made a "clean breast of
D." He got upon the train at Galesburg, aud
ftepped into the baggage car. Seeing the mail
"lag not yery far from the side door, he continued
III push II nearer and nearer the door, unperCeved
lNby the baggage master, who was slowing away
Nhe baggage. Watching his opportunity, the
INhiet kicked the bag out OF the car and jumped
Aaiter IL.
Nj BY this time the train had reached short dis
tsnce this side of GIlesburg and was under such
ltapid headway that he was considerably bruised
Aby his daring leap. He secured the bag and con-
Healed ii. week afterwards he broke it open,
hook all the letters and left it, together with the
Newspapers, &C., in place of cOncealment, from
(which Detective Officer Webb will shortly return
with il. Coming to this city, and hiring a room
kn the Hatch House, the robOer selected the yalu-
tble letters and burned the others.
III The public will be surprised to learn that these
Through mails are sent in the care of irresponsi
tle bagRagemen, instead of route agents, with
Improved bonds to the Government, as they
thould be. Such matters call for Congressional
Investigation.