The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-19
A MAIL RoBBER CAUGHT.

A NAIL ROBBER CAUGHT.
ONE OF THE MAIL THIEVES AT QUINCY, ILL,
HAD HIS RECORD LOOKED UP-A NICE
TRAP, HOW IT WAS SPRUNG AND WHAT II
CAUGHT.
special to the Chicago Tribune rom
Quincy, Illinois, the 9th inst. tells the story
Of the capture of a mail robber at that place:
As was telegraphed to you on the 5th inst,
man named Seeley was taken into custody
here on that day by a special mail
agent, on a charge of abstracting money
from registered letter packages. He was re-
leased the same day, and Il was generally
supposed that no evidence had been found
in support OF the charge made against him.
But it has since turned out that he wss de-
tected in the very act by the special agent
who took him under arrest. About six or
eight months ago Seeley was placed in charge
here OF the mail room at the depot, where
the transient mails are deposited, and be
was also charged with the duty OF rams
ferring registered letter packages. Forscme
time past money has been missed from regis
tered letters passing through this CITY,
though not through the postoffice and mall
ing clerks or the several routes leading
into the city have been suspected and
watched. Notice of the matter was given
TO Postmaster Piggott, who had his sus-
picions directed toward Seeley, and on
Friday last circumstance occurred which
confirmed his distrust. He accordingly
telegraphed to Special Agent Kanan, at De-
catur, to come to Quincy and work up the
case The mail room at the depot is sepa-
rated from the baggage room by hoard par
tition. The desk used by Seeley was located
against this partition, TO which was fastened
case of pigeon-holes, directly over the
desk, and about a foot above it.
postmaster Piggott obtained per-
mission of the depot master TO cut a
small aperture through the partition,
close under the case of pIgeon-holes, which
orihce was not visible to person sitting at
the desk, but through which his operations
could easily be watched. Kanan arrived
here on Sunday last, and was introduced TO
Seeley, both PiggOtt and Kanan, however,
taking care to avoid any movement calcu-
lated to awaken Seeley's suspicious. The
ground was surveyed, and with view to
MISLEADING THE SUSPECTED PARTY,
Kanan took the Monday morning train as
though he was going to Springfield, whereas
he went no farther than Camp Point, where
he remained during the day, and from which
place he sent decoy package to Quincy.
tie returned on the evening train, and, I'M
observed, took his station in the baggage
room, whence he could reconnoitor the
movements of Seeley through the aperture
in the partition over his desk. At the
usual hour for doing his work, Seeley over
.hauled the registered packages, and, while
about it, appeared to exhibit no inclination
TO modest their contents. Blu. after they
were all arranged, be took up one of the
packages, briefly examined il, and laidt
back. After a moments hesitation, how
ever, he again took up The package, and,
LAYING it on his desk, proceeded TO open 1t
| by inserting and rolling lead pencil under
the sealed edge of the envelope, which was
not fastened with sealing wax. Hav-
ing opened the package, be abb
stracted the money il contained.
and resesled the envelope with mucilager
he carried in a small vial in his vest pocket
The operations of opening and reseallng the
package was so successfully performed that
| upon casual observation the envelope die
not present the appearance or having Oeen
tempered with. The business being com-
pleted, Kanan left his place of observation,
and, coming around TO the door of Seeley's
room, demanded admission. This was at
first refused, but upon a peremptory repe-
tition OF the demand Seeley opened the
door, when Kanan proceeded to bis desk,
and, pointing to the package that had been
opened, invited SeeleY
TO PRODUCE THE MONEY
he had just taken from it. Finding himself
fairly detected Seeley made no attempt at
denial, but at once delivered up the money
he had stolen, which amounted to only s.
This was about O'Clock on the morning OF
the 9th. He was Immediately taken into
! custody, but was released the same day upon
a bond OF $500 for his appearance for trial.
Seeley is entirely without means OF
his own, but ne had lately paid
several small debts which be had been
owing for some time, and this fact
which Postmaster Piggott took pains to IS
{ certain, tended TO fasten suspicion upon
3 him. 1t appears that In the course OF as
operations be has been shrewd enough, 10
: most instances. to take
ONLY PART OF THE MONEY
from the. packages which lie has opened
(: thus leading the person receiving the pack
o age and the person sending it into con
# troversy, and diverting suspicion from him
1 self. Seeley is between so and so years of age
e and in very poor health. His trial is expected
n to take place soon, though it is reported tina
a a petition is in circulation asking for his re
! lease on the score OF his age and infiTnity
,s The success of his operations here sh0w
The importance of having registered lette
., packages fastened with sealing wax. Al
N such packages leaving the Quincy Office ar
thus secured, as is the case no doubt in al
Ia the larger offices; but it appears that regis
III tered packages sent from many OF tn
3 smaller offices are fastened only with mu
q cilage, and it is to Enclosures of this sort tina
I Seeley has applied himself.