South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-05-19
Miscellaneous.
A Detectives stOry-An a Mistake.

THE Boston Ird0eller tells this story:
Some years since gentleman stopping
at one of the hotels at Washington, d. c..
(who upon this occasion viii be called
Brown, sent letter from the hotel TO his
wife in New York, containing $50. The
letter was not received, and Mr.. Brown
visited the Post Office Department to make
complaint. In due time case was made
out and placed in the hands of we'll
known and experienced detective, whom,
for this occasion, we will designate as
Seekem- After putting this and that to-
gether, Seekem came to the conclusion
that the clerk of the hotel was the guilty
party, and proceeded to demonstrate his
convictions. With this object in view, he
prepared couple of decoys for the young
mans benefit Letters from the hotel
were forwarded to the Post Office morn
ing and afternoon, so Seekem first went to
work on the morning mail, but his decoys
turned up all right
Seekem then started on another tack.
He gave about $50 (bogus) to Mr. Brown
and persuaded him to write to Mrs. Brown,
enclosing the money, and leave the rest to
him.
The letter was written in very con-
spicuous place, at a dining table at the
hotel, it being so arranged that no one
should see him write the letter but the
suspected individual, who was called upon
to furnish paper and an envelope.
Mr.. Brown remarked to the clerk that
as Mrs. B. did not get his last remittance
he.must send her some more, at the same
tine deDouncing post offices in general,
and the Washington offices in particular,
where, he said, he had no doubt his money
had disappeared.
The letters from the hotel were received
at the Washington Office, and there was no
letter for Mrs. Brown of Fifth avenue,
New York Seekem was greatly elated,
feeling sure that he had at last entrapped
the suspected thief He went carefully
through the Washington Office, so as to |
make sure that there was no mistake The |
letter, however, could not be found. Seven |
o'clock that evening found Seekem at the |
hotel in consultation with the proprietor |
and Mr.. Brown. 1t was determined to ar
rest the suspected clerk at once. The |
supposed culprit was called up. He de-
MED all knowledge of the affair, and
Seekem was compelled to abandon the |
job for the time being.
Nothing more was known about
Browns letter until three days afterwards,
when Brown himself entered the Post
Office in very excited state of mind and
inquired for Seekem-said he must see
him-that it was of the utmost importance
that he should see him at once. Browns
wife had been arrested in New York for
passing counterfeit money, ard was then
held under SO, COO bonds for examination.
The murder was out and the hotel clerk
was innocentl
Something had to be done Immediately
for the lady, and that night Seekem left
for New York, visited the United States
Commissioner, explained matters, and pro-
cured Mrs. Browns release. Now for the
secret of this singular proceeding. On the
afternoon In question, when the letter
containing the bogus money was sent to
Mrs Brown, the clerk took walk down
to the depot at about six o'clock, to see a
Iriend of, taking what letters there were
in the hotel box along with him, and
dropped them in the postal car at the de-
pot-the train leaving at seven o'clock.
Mrs Browns letter went through to New
York, and she subsequently went out shop
ping. She rendered in payment bogus
$40 bill, and the storekeeper objecting,
she offered another, which was also de-
clined, the dry goods dealer informing her
that both were counterfeit Then she
showed him the remainder of the $50 that
was sent to her, and he pronounced it all
bad. Meantime g clerk had been dis
patched for an officer, and Mrs Brown was
taken into custody. The lady protested
in vain, and was taken to station-house,
where friend of Mr. Browns gave bail
for the wife's appearance for examination.
The husband was then notified.