The Hickman courier., 1872-08-31
RObbIng the Mails on steamer
Illinois.

Last Thursday, Robt. Shevils, the
second Postal Clerk on the steamer Illi-
nois, was arrested on a charge Of open
| ing and robbing registered letters passed
through his possession. From the eVi-
dence it appeared that a number of reg.
| stered letters were received st their
destination, 10 Cairo, apparently ir good
condition, but which on being opened
proved to have been previously opened
and rifled of their contents. These facts
we're made known TO NJ. w Matthews,
the frst postal clerk on the transfer
packet, and he went to st. Louis, COM
municated the facts to Col. Shorty, q
| special agent aud detective Of The P J. q.
| Department, aud at the SAME time told
him he had reason TO believe that the
robbery was committed By his assistant
Eobt. Shevils. 1t was determined by
them to put up decoy packages for the
purpose Of detecting him. Under in-
structions from this special sgent, post
master Hall put up two registered letters,
marked aud way billed as though they
had been sent from some place below.
These we're put up aud sealed 10 the
presence Of Mr. Matthews, and delivered
10 him one day and the next day we're
brought back by him, apparently in good
condition, but on being opened were
found to have been robbed Of their
contents. Seven other packages received
in Cairo during The week we're likewise
found TO have been openei aud robbed.
In reference TO the decoy packages
Mr.. Matthews testified that he had de-
livered the packages to his assistant, Mr..
Shevils, who had charge OF them during
the uight while the boat went up to Cairo
aud returned, also down 10 Hickman
next morning aud back to this place
that he (Mauhews) having remained off
the boat up to this time, then weut on
the boat aud took charge of the letters.
The fact that the letters we're put up With
money in them was proven by several
Witnesses also the fact that the money
had been taken out before they were re-
turned by Mr.. Matthews. but aside from
the evidence OF Nh Matthews himself
there was nothing to show that they had
ever gone out Of his possession. Witness
es we're produced to prove the reliability of
Mr.. Matthew's testimony, and it was
most efectually impeached, and thrown
out By the Commissioner.
Thus while the evidence fully estab-
lished the fact that either Shevils or
Matthews has Committed the robbery,
there was no evidence to fix the guilt on
either one Of the two, and accordingly
Mr.. Shevils was dismissed from custody.
Assistant postmaster james Mum, of
Cairo, testified that he had known Mr..
Shevils about two years. aud that so lar
as he knew. his reputation aud deport-
ment had been good Others also testi-
fed to his good character.
The THEFT having been clearly COM
mitted by one of the two. Mr.. Hess, the
prosecuting afforBey. suggested 10 special
agent Shorty that Mr. Matthews be ar
rested, aud that as Mr. Shevifs testimony
could not likely be impesched, (several
witnesses having testified 10 his good
reputation end proper deportment) there
was strong probability that the guilt
of Mr. Matthews could be established.
Col Shorty replied that "by Cd be
would not crafty this community so
much, aud having suspended Mr.. Shev-
lis from the service, LETT the city.
We have no means Of knowing per-
sonally, the facts in regard TO this rob-
DSfJf DuI We hhNe sDetu lulOIMeu luaI
robberies Of the mails that pass over the
Illinois have been frequent aud exten-
sive. Several robberies are known to
have been committed on the Illinois.
The thief or thieves who have commit
ted them have never been brought to
justice. aud now wheo the officers have
their hands SO yearly on tie thief. the
public feel that every effort should be
made TO convict him, let the culprit be
who be will. The conduct OF Col.
Shorty. under the circumstances, if not
reprehensib'e then is inexplicable.
The people ak that this robbing be
stopped. Ii those officials whose inn
mediate duty it is to attend TO it will not
do It, then we hope the higher authorities
of the post office department will give
the matter their attention aud see that
somebody else does attend to it
Columbus Dispatch.