The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-09-11

DOLLARS WORTH OF OPIUM rST0LEN-THE
BUSINESS CARRIED ON FOR THREE OR FOUR
YEARs.-We have just learned the particu
lars of an extensive and systematic robbery
which has been going on in the house Of
Messrs. R. A. Robinson s. Co., wholesale
druggists of this city, for three or four
years, without the knowledge or suspicion
of the members of the firm until few
days ago. The particulars are substan-
tally as follows: .~....
A few days ago member Of the firm had
occasion to open box Of opium which was
supposed to contain about seventy-fve
pounds, as it had not been opened by any
one connected with the firm, but upon being
broken open was found to be entirely
empty. The discrepancy not being ac-
counted for by any cf the attaches Of the
house. suspicion was aroused that some
thing was wrong. An examination Of the
books of the firm developed the fact that
no less than $50 pounds Of the valuable
drug had been ahstracted from the house
since the lst Of January last.
On Wednesday last the facts were COM
municated to our efficient superintendent of
police, Captain Shadburn, who, with the
assistance of Detective Bligh, set about to
ferret out the guilty parties. 1t was ascer-
tanned that quantity Of opium had been
sold in April last to the firm cf Scribner &
McGinnis, OF New Albany, by party from
Louisville. At the request of the detec
tiyes and of Mcssrs. Robinson Co., Mr..
McGinnis came over, and in short time
identified the man from whom he had pur~
chased the opium in April. His name is
George w. Powell, but he had been doing
business with Messrs. Scribner McGinnis,
and other parties in this and other cities,
under the assumed name Of George Will
liams.
1t was found upon investigation that his
| brother, Charles A. Powell, young man
who had been employed in the house Of
teen years, since he was a very small boy
up to July last, was implicated in the rob-
berry, and he was arrested also.
A key of the front door of the store, and
also key to the vault in which the opium
was kept, were found upon the person of
Charles A. Powell; also a letter of recent
date from the firm of Fl. L. Boswell, of
New York, in relation to the receipt of about
Sl,10O worth of opium. The facts pointed
so strongly to them as the guilty parties
that in the presence Of one or two of the
members of the firm of Messrs. Robinson &
Co. and the detectives they made full con-
fession of their guilt.
George W. Powell confessed to have been
operating as q broker undcr the assumed
name of George Williams, and said he had
sold thirty pounds to Scribner s. McGinnis,
of New Albany, at SO per pound; 5000
worth to DIR. Mock, of this city; had sold at
different times considerable quantities to
Messrs. Springer Co., Market street; ten
pounds to DR.. Hoover, of New Albany and
gave number of other small transactions
not necessary to enumerate.
Charles A. Powell was doing business in
the firm-name of J. W. Ward s. Co., brokers.
He had shipped fifty pounds of opium to
Daniel McCotter, of New York, by Adams
Express one hundred to H. L. Buswell,
New York delivered twenty pounds in per-
son to Birdsall s. Brother, Of Cincinnati,
&c. He also acknowledged that at the time
of the fire in the house, three years ago, he
stole two pounds of nitrate of silver, which
he sold to Birdsall & Brother, of Cincin-
natl. This embraces only part Of their
operations. It is impossible to estimate
the value of goods stolen by them from
time to time, and had they been more eau
tious they could have carried on the theft
for long time without being suspected.
Charles a. Powell, who was so long en-
ployed in the house, was never suspected
by any of the firm, who had the most i'm
plicit confidence in him up to the time Of
his arrest. After discharging him in July
last they gave him very strong recon-
mendation to Captain Shadburn, asking
him to give him place in the police force.
The key which he had while in the house
unknown to the proprietors-was retained
by him when discharged, and by this means
he was enabled to enter the house at any
hour of the night, and without suspicion, as
he had been long employed there.
1t is presumed that not less than $4,000
worth of opium, quinine, &C., has been
taken from the house by these brothers
since they commenced operstions.-Lou'S-
vlle Courier.