The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-03

CINCINNATI, August l, 1872.
1t is a difficult matter for anybody, be he pro-
fessional thief, highwayman or employe, to steal
money from the Adams Express Company and
escape with the plumber. Numerous men have
made the attempt, but In nearly every case have
only proved the truth OF the statement that such
undertakings are arduous and very apt to go unre-
warded. Last Saturday night Hezekah ii. Whittle
sey, money clerk in the Office OF the company in
this city, left on the quarter to ten O'Clock train on
the Pan Handle road for the Empire City. He car
ried $4,000 OF his employers money with him, and
prior to leaving had enclosed 81, 200 in letter and
sent it to his wife, anu had also given s., 200 to
female friend In West End home for easy going
daughters OF Mother Eve.
THIS MONEY HE Rad STOLEN
while in 1T OF ntoxicaton. He had been Il drink
ing man for three years previous; but, having
always attended to his business with exceeding
diligence, no notice was taken OF his infirmity by
those above him. He trusted implicitly; and,
although not getting more than $1,000 year
salary, yet in the daily habit OF handling
amounts of money that in the provinces would be
teemed prncey fortunes lie arrived In New York
on Sunday evening, and Monday deposited
$4,000 in a bank. With the remainder of the stolen
funds lie "spreed" around very recklessly during
the day. and by eventide found himself in state of
partial drunkenness and complete remorse Of mind.
CkOSSlNG THE NORTH RIVER 10 JERSEY CITY,
he sought Geographic oflce and despatched a mes
sage 70 his wife announcing his whereabouts. 1t
had been his intention when leaving to 20 to Mexico
Spain, as he stated in note to his wife, accom-
panying her pension. This resolve had been weak
ened, however, with every hour of his experience
away from home, and so, on Monday evening he is
found aboard a Western bound train, with q
through ticket to Cincinnati in his pocket Nothing
OF startling moment served to agitate his racked
and disOrdered brain until the train reached Mead
vile, Pa and there ii was
BOARDED BY TwO KEENv ISAGFD MEN,
dressed IN citizens clothes, who looked sharply at
each and every one OF the travellers they passed
through the cars. When they came to Whittesey
he was found seated by himself and with his right
hand covering It's mate The strangers ut once adj
dressed him and were soon having quite q COnab
with him. During this period they contrived 60
have him part his hands, and then they saw that
the little finger Of the left one was crooked In
themselves, even after the success OF their yuse,
but Whittlesey saw plainly that his case was hope
less, and that If he did not wish to be Inundated
by having the iron wristbands put upon him
he must keep within the range OF the strangers
vision and not make the slightest move towards an
escape The men, although seemingly assured
that they were on the right scent, still kept
viglant eye open for all new corners, and when the
train reached Leavittsvlle, in the Buckeye State,
one of them left IL and started or after an innO-
cent German, who was bound for Cleveland The
other detective, however, stuck close enough to
Whittesey to keep him perfectly safe, ana both he
and his victim seemed to be of the same mind re-
|
into the depot IN this city, at early hour OF
| Wednesday, the pair locked arms and walked into
the street together. There the infatuated criminal
found
THE AGENT OF THE COMPANY AWAITING
him and without word he walked up to him and
handed him the check for $4,000 on the New York
bank. Then he taken to the nearest police
station house and locked up on the charge OF en-
bezZlement. He felt his fall most deeply and was
but little inclined to converse with any one. IL
caused the utmost surprise to the officers OF the
company when they learned OF Whitulesey's disap-
| nanr In M IN I'm nfIn btc
usual custom, Saturday evening, but that cir
cumstance caused little comment and his failure to
turn up. on the following day was also
dismissed with scarcely any speculation.
and he did not come, his associates
thought something must have happened TO him.
and so sent messenger to his house in Newport.
The messenger returned and reported from his
wife's lips that he had gone to Louisville. The
| telegraph wires to that city were then set in mo-
ton, and at the same time an examination of his
accounts was entered upon. In answer TO the de-
| spatches, word came that
! HE WAS NOT IN LOUISVILLE
and had not been there, and the expert who worked
up his accounts could find little ground for the
! lief that he had abscOnded. The mystery however,
had to be solved, and Immediately upon receipt OF
! the intelligence from Louisville q description of
| the man and the brief statement that he was
wanted" were teegraphed TO every prominent city
and town from New York to Denver City, and from
Thus warned, the police OF the entire country
were on the alert for the criminal and the news
had hardly been In circulation dozen hours before
| he was ''spOtted' at Meadvile. He has been in
the employ OF the company for ten years. and, as
before remarked, has hitherto been regarded as an
honest and upright man.
He asserts that he was led to drinking BY the Sc
ducton OF his first wife by paymaster in the army.
He is now eaten up with remOrse, and firmly de-
clares that he will pull up'' II the company give
him the opportunity. Az his friends are numerous
and much good feeling Is entertained for him in
the office, such VIII probably be the turn the affair
will take in the end.