The New York herald., 1869-03-25
ROBBERlEs AT THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY
ASSOCIATION.
Many Valuable Works StOlen-The Alleged
Thief and Receivers Ar rested.

Many Valuable Works Stolen-The Alleged
Thief and Receivers Ar rested.
For several weeks past the librarian Of the Mercan-
tile Library Association has been at loss TO solve
the mysterious disappearance Of many of the vaua-
bic works OF the society. 1t became such serious
matter that the directors were notified OF the fact
and by their instructions measures were insti-
tuted in the building by posting men at different
points with view to the detection Of the
thieves; for it became settled fect shat
the books were stolen. This was not successful,
and on Friday last additional volumes being missed
among them set OF valuable references, the oni-
GERS OF the Ilibrary,l among them the President,
Mr. Allen made an extended examination OF the
catalogue, and as o result found that about $1,000
worth or OF the most valuable works OF the as
sociati0n had been stolen.
at the Fifteenth precinct station house and apprised
Captain Cafrrey OF the state OF AFFAIRS when de-
tectlve Tuly was directed to work up the
and and the re recovery Of the property. In this
he has been successful, having secured that ndvid
stolen property. From information obtained, de-
tective Tuly in company with the Librarian, yesterday
morning called at the bookstand OF Luke kerwin,
corner OF Gold and Fulton streets, believing that he
had several Of the volumes. The place was found
securely closed the proprietor evidently having OBJ.
tained some clue to the visit. His residence was at
once obtained and the onicer went to his home leav-
ing the librarian on guard. He was not long In find
ing Kerwin, and brought him to his place OF
they found that their hopes were realized as twenty
four volumes OF the associations property were
found on his shelves with the ibrarys stamp erased
When asked where he purchased them he said
that he had bought them at different times from
"Adolphus;" that he had paid him altogether some
$500; had been buying them six or eight weeks, and
the address shs gave sea him
bers street, The reasons for their disposal he had
told hun were that widow lady, whom he well
large library, adopted this means to raise money,
Detective Tully obtained from Kirwin full descrp-
oh inc q th S ana ass e acs nat
when the volumes found were taken to the station
house with him.
visited the library, thinking that Philips might be
"negotatingn for the works he intended to sell later
10 the day. and fortunately ne met the individual on
he said "Yes," when he was taken into custody. So
soon as arrested he intimated that ''he knew what
he wanted him for" at the same time expressing
wish to see the President On their way to the sta
ton house he made full confession OF the manner
In ns b e mad q @ s ss s %
the librarian, clerk, &C., ana being subscriber
they, would allow him to take the books
perusal, he would coolly put them under his arm
and walk out. In this manner he has obtained as
a e S Soox
When questioned as to the receivers knowing
whether they were stolen or not he explicitly stated
that ne did, and had often spoken about It. He then
named another party to whom he had disposed Of
them, one John Henley, No. Chambers street.
After his incarceration IN the station house, that
place was visited with the librarian, and the de-
tective discovered upon his shelves seven volumes,
which were at once recognized. Henley was also
arrested and the books added to the previous lot ut
the station house.
The books recovered were such as Holiness "Surgi-
cal Treatment" Porter's '.HumAn Intellect" Fara-
days Chemistry Hamilton on Fractures and
Dslocation,n Savage's dictionary OF Printing
Gray's Anatomy and many others Of like expen-
sive character.
There is little ,story about this "Phillips'' that
may not be NAL dpr0D0s. He was the intelligent
witness at the jefferson Market Police Court about
week since, when George King, notorious pick.
lie was the principal witness against him when ar.
raigned. Tomorrow he and his confreres will be