Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-09-01

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scrlbcd the prisoner attempted to erase
when arrested, by scratching them
with o lead pincil, but they are plainly
distinguishable.
An examination demonstrates pret-
ty conclusively that It is u division Of
tho sum abstractcd from the Treasury.
Halcck attempted to explain his mo-
tive for making the erasure by saying
that il was private transaction of
his that hc did not care to have every.
body acquainted with, and, on being
pressed further, he declared that he
was only estimating his share of the
funds if he had been concerned in the
robbery. Detectives McIsfresh and
McDivitt as soon rs they reached
Washington with lIallcck, confined
him at headquarters in u cell.
On the trip down he had been in a
great state OF nervousness, but when
he was mmured behind tho bars his
courage failed him completely, and it
was not long before he manifested a
disposition to communicate something
to the officers. The exact substance
of the confession, the detectives, for
obvious reasons, refused to disclose but
il is known that he admits having Ia.
ken the package, and that he handed
it TO 0ttman. He also states that he
was instigatcd to commit the act by
Ottman, who had repeatedly urged
him to mako a stake by so doing. On
being confronted by Brown, he stated
that he knew him, but that he had no
dealings with him he had no 90 be-
tweens in the matter, but had handed
the money ever directly to Ottman,
who was to attend to the conversion
Of 1t into other funds OF character
not likely 10 attract attention. In
making the cofession Halleck was un-
doubtedly influenced by the impression
that he had been made tool of in the
entire matter, and that as soon as OFT
man could make his arrangements he
intended to give him the go by entire.
ly. Another powerful lever was re-
morse, for he said to Detective Nc.
Divitt, "For the past two months ]
have suffered intense agonies, and |
will do anything to rid myself of the
torturcs am undergoing" HalleclS
it appears, up TO the time of his ar,
rest had only received from Ottman
5000 1t was arranged, however, that
he was TO have Ottmans place o.
business as his share, ostensibly on
rent. The detectives, however, ,shrewd
ly surmised that this was all "put
up job, " as transfer of the property
had all been effected to another party
and not to Halleck. Ottman's visit L
New York, wasfor thcpurpose of max
ing the purchase of a saloon in Brook
lyn for the sum of $4,000, and to ge
rid OF some of the money.
Shortly after the robbery ottmar
visited the banking house of Riggs 4
Co. with 81 900 in small bills, and re
ceived in exchange two $500 bills. III
had scarcely received these when h,
carried them to the Treasury Depart
ment, and presented them at the casl
room to be exchanged into small bills
The teller, who knew him, laughingl,
remarked, "Ottman, you must be th,
man who got that $4,000 package
To this he responded, ~ can prov,
where l got my soUU hills from re
ceived them from Mr.. Riggs himself.
Inquiry elected the fact above men
toned, that Ottman had received hi
$500 bills at Riggs bank the same da,
that he presented them at the Treasu
ry, but, of course, not from Mr. Riggs
but through the regular teller In tn,
light OF later days, this seemingly fun
ny transaction explains itself Nj
Ottman was preparing TO show tha
he got $500 bills lcgitimately "oni,
that, and nothing more
Up to the time of the robbery, Hal
leck attended to his duties with pune
tuality, and industry that won for hin
the esteem of all his superiors. Iii
reputation was thought to be irrc
proachablc by all inside of the build
ing, and when every one in the casl
room came under the ban Of suspicion
Gen. Spinner happened TO reflect o
Halleck, in n conversation with Nj
Wyman, the chief of the division.- :
That official, who had listened gravel
when those much higher in authorit
were spoken of, actually laughed an
said "Thc idea Of charging 'innocen
Benny with any snch crime" 1t ne,
er struck him that under pleasin
exterior &c, &c. 1t appears, howe,
er, that outside he was a little bette
known. For instance, he was fir,
qucntly borrowing money at usuriou
rates of interest, and it is known tina
he sometimes engaged in gambling.