New-York tribune., 1871-08-28
SUSPECTED CLERKS EXPERIENCE.

THE ATLANTA EXPRESS RoBBERf-AkhhsI of
THE PERSON CHARGED WITH THE CAimE- CI
HIS sTORY-THE PEEs OF phfoii
sHERIFFS
The safe of tbe Southern Express Company at
the Atlanta Office was robbed the night OF May 20
ls7l OF money packages amounting TO nearly $1,000
The subseonent investigation showed that IT had been
the custom of the money clerk George sCODD 10 remain
at the Office unt II al night arranging the pack
ages in the safe the order in which they were 10 20
taken out in the morning for the carry trains;
and that he would then place the safe key
under the pillow Of his assistant, Burlington, who
silent I'm the Office. On the morning after the rob
berry both doors Of the office we're found and the
men inside asleep, while the riGed safe had evidently
been opened without violence. Cobb stated that he had
left the office and deposited the key usual and spent
the night with his family-a statement which not
dsprOved Suspicion nevertheless directed against
Cobb by Pnkerton's Detective Agency which was work
ing up the and the facts presented before the
Grand Jury with view TO his indictment for robbery
The jury however refused to indct him. The Company
meantime found sundry inaccuracies in his accounts
amounting Mr.. Cobb states, to 'ess than $40"
and began q suit for damages. He gave bonds IN
S 900 to in this suit, claiming however that
the alleged in Bufngtons handwriting. He
left Atlanta for NewYOrk last week. reaching the Grand
Central Hotel Friday morning. During the day he
was arrested by deputy sheriff, on warrant issued by
Judge Sutherland in which he charged with embez-
committed to Ludlowst Jail in default of $4,000 BAIL
The Of the given by the detectives to the
reporters the effect that Cobb left Atlanta suddenly
intending TO 90 to Halifax, Nova Scotia" Mr. Cobb
states however, that before starting, he went to the
Prosecuting Attorney in his case, informed him OF his
desire 70 90 10 New-York urgent business, spoke
| freely Of his intended trip among his friends,
and finally went TO the depot at midday
with the present agent OF the express company al At
anta On arriving a. the Grand Central Hotel ne regis
tered I'm full and his residence as Atlanta
circums ances which he thinks do not look as ne had
to sPscCnd Whg1 a atfSseG o dG en sen
prison he might be allowed to visit friend IN Eleventh
deputy sheriff hose name he thinks was Adams) told
him in a low tone, that lie could have the privilege Of
ypo ysns pa pGvinS SH' $50 Mr. Cobb said that
that was too muchj that he , had J.. only
anta and he protested against having to pay anything
for such privilege Here Deputy shefn Jsrpls, VINO
inteTpOsed, talked sOOthingy 10 Cobb, who was in
sideraton Of the circumstances the usG rae could DC
reduced for once and the favor he granted Tor S ana
what they could pick by rendering such iavors Mr
Cobb states that he then paid the s2 being convinced
They went to Elcvcnth-st and the Grand Central Hotel
where he found his friend and received some money to
pay his expenses at the LudOwst Jail The deputy, as
the evening came on grew very ana nnay
Hotel instead Of taking him 10 the Jail provided Mr.
Cobb couid paV 800 The offer was declined and the
iety be at TO Atlanta, where all the wit
are and he may have opportunity to de-
fend himself without being pundered OF all that he can
by such baTpes as he has thus far encountered here
Mr. Cobb tells his story with simplicity and direct
ness which plead strongly in his favor. The Sherihs
office in which appears he victimzcd is daily oc-
cuuied by 40 so weldressed men who lounge IL the
Enclosures around the desks smoke ana gossip an DAY
long and apparently thrive In their loatug There are
about 25 desks in the main Office, with the name OF
clerk handsomely inscribed upon each but, in many
visits there, the reporter of THE TRIBUNE has rarely
clerk at work and has always seen the place over
crowded with persons whose attitudes those of
loafers and whose language Il that Of blackguards
ThpVa IN Dp Y,
the suaye Chief Deputy, Jarvis, by plndeIng the men
| who, like Mr. Cobb, fall into their power.