The New York herald., 1870-07-31
JOURNALISTIC KLOpEMANIA.
Ieiegraphic Larceny and Lightning Justice
How Some California Papers Obtain the
Associated Press News-Capture Of
tho Thief In Flagrante
SACRAMENTO, CAL, July 20, 1870.


The case OF Van Valkenpurgh, the manager OF the
onlce In this city OF the Central Pacific Railroad
division OF the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Com.
pany, who was caught in the act OF attempting to
steal the Associated Press dispatches last night was
called up In the police court this morning at ten
O'Clock. Van Valkenburgh did not jump or fall from
balcony rs stated In a despatch 10 the Amer
lean Press Association by the Atlantic and
Pacific line, but was held In the position he
was caught until taken In charge by
policeman. The "clpn and paper were taken out
VI his hands before he moved from the position
IN which he was found. Two pencils and his hat
were picked up from between the balconies OF the
Western Union 0llce ana the one next to 1t,
where he had crouched TO copy the report. His
position brought MIN within hearing Of the
sounder or the instrument in the office,
window having been left open near him. He
was first seen to come out Of the Record ONCE
and go direct to the position he occupied on
the balcony, passing up through house near
the Western Union office and coming out through o
window on the balcony OF the house which adjoins
that OF the Western Onion building, there being a
space Of two feet between the balconies where he
took up his position, and rrom which he did not
move until detected. The pistol nred by Mr.. Person,
the Western Union operator. was merely to intimi.
date Van valkenburgh. and 1t had its effect as he
There was no attempt made to do him any bodily
injury. except o lew lusty kicks administered by
MT Peirson ,in when ne took hold Of him The oppo
morning. hence mis- attempt to supply the news
from more reliable source at little expense
ANOTHER ACCOUNT
The following from the Sacramento Union, gives
very clear statement Of the attempt last night to
steal the Associated Press dispatches In this city,:
ABOUT quarter TO eleven O'Clock last night
pistol shot was fired ut the Western Union Telegraph
Anl lna cfna bAfv., II
and quite an excitement ensued In the neighbOr.
hood. Being In the immediate vicinity at the time
Ha pIoter sar ran up into pe Office ana
discovery OF the leak In the Western Union Tcle-
graph Company's affairs, whereby the Eastern de-
since the latter part OF June, when ABOUT q column
or news was distracted and appeared III other
papers simultaneously with tho.e for which it was
sent detective has been employed by the
Western Union Company to work the matter up
The indications were 10 the effect that messages had
been taken or In this city, and strict watch has
therefore been KEEP ever since.
Last night, few minutes before the shot referred
to was fired, f. L. PersOn, one OF the Western Union
operators While ON the balcony In front Of the ope
rating roOm heard noise on the balcony adjoining,
and. looking around, he saw the figure OF man
which he thought he recognized as that OF f. 8. Van
Valkenburgh the manager OF the office OF the Central
Pacific Railroad division Of the Atlantic and Pacific
Telegraph Company. As Mr.. Person turned the
man stepped back into the shadow, but Mr.. PIerson
became confident that 1t was Van Valkenburgn,
and that his intention was to catch their
press dispatches as they came over at
few minutes afrcrward the dispatches commenced
coming and Mr.. PiersOn went to the instru.
down, however, before he heard q noise on
the balcony which convinced him that the
man outside had taken position from which he
the operator sending the dispatches to walt min
ute, and went out ON the balcony and caught sight
Of Van valkenburgh lying concealed In a narrow
space between the railing Of the balcony OF the tee-
graph building and that Of the building adjoining 1t
on on The north Drawing his plsto, he fred shot IN
call assistance, when was quickly forthcoming
from the other side OF the street IN the person OF j.
F. Allen, the agent OF the company, and officer
Moore, who took Van Valkenburgh In custody.
After the snot was nrcd the latter called to Mr..
Person not 10 hurt HIM or Kill him. and holding up
clip" which was filled with writing paper, on
W hich he had evidently intended to take down the
report he said, "You see haven't taken word Of
it," He was taken to the station house by officers
Moore and Chamberlain. and q charge of ''atempt
10 steal teegraphic report" made against him. Mr..
Pierson was also arrested for discharging firearms
In the city. Both men put up deposits Tor their ap
pearance to-day In the police court.
Van valkenburgh, who is young man Of unusual
ability In his profession, and has been esteemed by
large number OF friends, would appear to have
made misstcp in his anxiety to further the inter-
ests OF the company by which he was employed that
Will nave a very damaging eject upon him. We
have not heard has explanation Of the occurrence,
but 1t looks almost impossible for him TO clear away
IN Which NM he owg to the
being concealed and having in his posses.
sion the material with which TO secure the
OF tile State II we mistake not makes 1t q mlsde-
meanOr for any person to clandestinely obtain the
contents OF telesraphlc messages, liking as the
penalty therefor nne not exceeding 81 900 or i'm
prisonment for not longer than one year, or both
line and imprisonment. In tils case the party dld
gain possession of the contents OF the dispatches
but he made the attempt which, as In other Of
fences, amounts to the same the commission OF
the deed In fact, the Western Union people say
tat they have evidence sure to convict him OF hay-
Ing taken IN a similar manner the column OF news
before referred to.