The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-08-14
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., August Q, 1875.

US for the past week. The weather, like
the administration or the head of depart
ment, is legitimate subject for abuse.
We are always wishing either would do
something different from what they have
done.
1t was really astonishing, the cold weather
of last week. In the majority of houses,
fires had to be lighted, and after the heavy
rains large icicles formed on the caves of
the roof of houses-in Greenland.
The indications are that the recent re-
markable fall of rain and it's resulting
floods will change the bright prospects for
almost unparalleled crops, not to count the
damage done by destruction of other kinds
of property. The Mississippi basin is the
locality which is most effected, and the
injury done cannot now be approximately
estimated.
The cool damp weather, however, proved
insufficient to freeze, OF even dampen the
ardor of our Washington detective corps,
when once upon the trail of the parties
connected with the big steal from the ma
tional cash box. Our Washington detec-
tive corps have accomplished result that
will stamp them as the best organized and
most capable force perhaps in the country.
They have done that which the secret SER
vice most signally failed to do, and have
bagged the game that held the forty-seven
thousand dollors, stolen on the end of June,
and supposed to have gone where the wood
bine weaves its fragrant branches long
since.
The apprehension of the thieves created
an unusual excitement throughout the city,
and is the general theme of conversation.
Many friends of the accused were slow to
believe their guilt and thought that through
some unfortunate circumstantial evidence
; they had been connected with the crime.
Especially was this the case concerning
one of tho parties, VIM. II. Gilman, whose
gentlemanly department and upright deal-
ings had secured for him the confidence of
all with whom he came in contact But as
the evidence accumulated and pointed d.
rectly and more strongly to him as not only
one of the guilty parties, but the prime
mover in instigating the robbery, his friends
were amazed at his course, and sympathize
with his family in their sudden and dis
graceful downfall. These revelations had
the effect of causing persons who had Of
fered to become bondsmen to withdraw,
: and he stands almost alone to face his
, accusers. During the entire day there
was crowd constantly hanging about
police headquarters anxious to obtain a
sight of the prisoners, and secure any addi-
tional information concerning the robbery
that could be given to the public. In the
meantime, the detectives, who have been
unceasing in their efforts to unravel the
clue, were untiringly on the trail searching
out the lost funds, and have at the present
writing succeeded in recovering nearly twen-
ty thousand dollars.
BENJAMIN B. HALLECK,
the principal figure in the unfortunate af-
fair, is man of about thirty-two years of
age, below the average hight and of slender
build; he will probably weigh 1875 pounds;
of light sandy complexion and blue eyes.
He has pleasant face and good address.
He was born in Mohawk CO., New York.
being the son of cergymen. His father
and the father of Seth johnson, the de-
faulting cashier of the Treasury some two
years since, were intimate friends, and he
and Seth were boys together. 1t may be
we'll to mention here, as strange eoincid-
ence, that Seth johnson and Gilman, like
Halleck and Gilman, were intimate friends.
Hall - =,
1869; is good clerk and general favorte
among his fellow clerks He was married
in this city several years ago to Miss
Bishop, and has one child, an interesting
daughter.
MR.. VIM. II. oTTMAN,
well-known restaurateur, whose mixed
drinks were wonderful in their artistic per-
lection, is a man generally known and gen.
orally liked in the community. He is fully
six feet high, dark complexioned with black
hair and eyes, and slight side whiskers.
His features are good and regular, and the
entire air and manner of the man is such
that you could hardly believe him guilty of
the grave charges brought against him.
He was for long time bar keeper at
Wizards Hotel, and then in charge of the
billiard room. Leaving, he opened the
place on Pennsylvania avenue near Twelfth
street, where he was doing business up to
the time of his arrest. His business was
very prosperous and in legitimate way,
he was making money "hand over fish,
giving his family competent support, and
laying up thousands; had no cause to steal,
and could only have been prompted to it by
some morbid desire to become suddenly
rich. His family consist of an amiable
wife, and several interesting children.
THEODORE W. BROWN,
is one of the war population of the Dis
trict. He was born in one of tho Eastern
States, enlisted, and during the war was
wounded, and lost his left leg. At the end
of the war he located here and has since
remained here. He has at different times
held positions under the Government, but
the general bent of his inclination was for
sporting life, and most of his time was
spent in the society of the gamblers. He
is thirty eight or forty years of age, of
good presence, always dressed neatly, and
to stranger, is most plausible compan-
ion. From the time of the theft up to the
arrest, Brown-better known as "Peg
Leg was certainly having good time
at somebody's expense, and the affair does
not appear to worry him much either.
The confessions made, the direct and
legal evidence procured, and the crcum-
stantial facts gathered, are such as to leave
little doubt of thes uilt of the trio.
When arrested, Gilman requested sus-
pension of public opinion until matters
were brought to a finer point, but the
points are at present almost too fine, and
are proven to be about thus: At the insti-
cation of Gilman, Halleck stole the money,
and passed it over to Gilman for safe keep
ing, who in turn passed part of the money