The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-08
ANOTHER ROBBERY OF THE MERCHANTS UNION EXPRESS.
l Messenger Seduced Into Committing the
Crime by a New York Confidence Man.

From the Chicago Tribune, April Al
young man about twenty-five years of age
banned J. r: Whitaker, messenger in the employ
- the Merchants Union Express Company and a
Herbert at time ppSp y e
billiard saloon, located in the Central House, on
ary hamr yesterdaW mo,ning on the char9e of rom
ping the Merchants Union Express Company OF
FERROUS sums OF money, aggregating to the amount
The case Is peculiar one, and one Of more than
ordinary interest. The circumstances as fol-
package at the office Of the Merchants Union Ex-
press Company In this city, which did not come to
bad been forwarded to St. Louis via the Alton and ST.
Louis Railway, with j. R. Whitaker messenger in
charge simultaneously with the discovery that the
tha he be granted leave OF absence for three days
g. allow ,I him to ,d make e trip to Jaue s He
granted Immediately, but might be entertained in
Ehe course OF week. Meanwhile suspicious were
aroused against him, and when he returned from a
trip at an early hour Thursday evening he was
Informed that leave of absence for three days was
granted. During Whtaker's absence this last
"Trip MIR. Cooper had placed himself in telegraphic
communication with the express headquarters at St
Louis and Springfield and thus received the nlorma-
don before Whitakers return that between $4,000
aud $4,000 had been paced In his custody
Ior transmission TO Chicago No such sum,
b the headquarters In the city Thursday
evening, and accordingly when the messenger
ke the Office rs he supposed, on leave OF absence,
Siglant detectives his track, watching every
movement Of their victim, and finally he was traced
n
Niici had previously been engaged by Herbert, and
1vnen about midnight, Mr.. Cooper and the detectives
burst in upon thcni they were discovered in the act
pf counting pue OF money spread out before
khem table, consisting OF gold and greenbacks,
pnd amounting TO about $1,000. Yesterday afternoon
BIO n Individuals were arraigncd at the Police Court
aen young Whitaker make the following statement
kegafding the particulars OF The robbery
II was introduced to Mr.. Herbert about three
months since and considered him very agreeable
bnan was in his company several times during the
peyt two months, and once or twice he spoke In an
pr hand way TO me about making money In an easier
Way tnan by working for q patry salary. During
khcsc conversations he developed no plan, however,
b. which such result could be realized and enter
Famed suspicious that he had any dishonest plan
IN view. About three weeks since he informed me
kbat business would take In To 81 Louis. aud that
be should ike TO me al that point during one OF
nv trips. Two weeks ago last sunday ! called
hpon him, and in the evening. while taking a
walk, he again alluded 10 the idea OF making money
~ a way besides working for IT, The following day
De returned In my car 10 Chicago and during the
Grip he remarked that If he had charge of the car ana
the money he would go FOR some OF IL. During the
evening visited Smiths oyster saloon, on the cor
per OF Monroe and state streets, and after talking
She matter over came 10 the conclusion that was
workng too hard for so little pay, and then agreed
ppon plan to rob the company. Last Monday even
bert came to my and called for package of
money from Johnny Walters. gave him u valise con-
aeTbegt retained the money but on t the fSo OWING
iiay purchased for me suit OF clothing. a gold
watch aud diamond ring. The remainder of the
money was converted into gold and remained in
charge OF Herbert. ] then asked for leave OF
kbsence, but was informed that 1t could not be
Immediately granted Upon my return last evening
Herbert again presented himself Mt the and gave
blm valise containing, 10 the best ofmy knowledge,
hbout $1,000. ON arriving at express headquarters
y was informed that my request for leave or
absence had been granted and Immediately went
en search Of Herbert. He, In the meantime had pur
chased two tickets for Detroit, over the Michigan
Southern Road 1t being our intention 10 Canada
by the first train IN the morning found Herbert at
khc Briggs House, and shortly after midnight our
room was entered by Mr. Cooper and the detectives,
knd we were taken into custody"
I The man Herbert, while this statement was being
made calmly twirled his gorgeous moustache and
Altogether bore the appearance Of an In
Inherently interested spectator. II is said of
him that six or seven years ago he was one Of
New York's most expert confidence men, and
tince his sojourn in this city his boon companions
bave been from among that class. Whitaker Is a
koung man Of good appearance and considerable in
kelligence. His parents are said TO be residents OF
California The precise extent of these robberies has
Net to be ascertained and several days may eapse
before any definite estimate can be made. The sum
moi % b De sr been
Hner partial preliminary examination OF the case
the prisoners were held for further examination In
one week, each In bail OF $4,000.
TIE INDIAN PEACE CoxMIssroN.-The Indian Peace
commission held short session at Omaha on the LIST
INST 0eneral Sherman left for washington the next
pay. General Augur will take his place on the Com
msslon Governors Butler, Of Nebraska, and Foulke,
p Dakota VII accompany the Commission TO Fort
laramie NJ Taylor President Of the Commission,
VIII not be with the Board account of serious III
pes In his family The Commission will leave
Omaha for North Platte Immediately, where they
nxpect 70 meet Spotted Tail and other chiefs OF the
ret slgned was made last fail Il is expected that
Enoy win now accept and sign upon the terms offered
vAsf fall From North Platte the entire Commission
scs the Indians At the f6l Of the moon Alter the
Doncusion q the business q Fort Laramie part Of
Ne OommAsion WIN proceed 70 New Mexico.