The New York herald., 1876-11-05
LOST AND FOUND"
NEW DANGER ron THE LKssEEs or POST
oPFICK BOXES.


oPFIcK BOXES.
In the New York Post once there over 5, 900
lock boxes that are rented by business mon, lawyers
and other persons having large correspondence. The
keys OF many of these boxes given to boys and
young clerks, who entrusted with the exclusive
duty OF mailing letters and taking mail matter from
the Post ONCE TO their places of business Curiously
enough the honesty and integrity of these youths
seem to be questioned. In many instances the
attention OF business has been called in vain TO
the irresponsible persons who take correspondence
from the Post Once while the officials have been
blamed for mistakes that Investigation have been
traced to the lads having the keep Of the boxes In
OF minor character, where the guilty party has
been discovered tho employers have refused TO take
any steps in the matter and have objected to any pub
hcity. thus In measure encouraging the commission
of new transgressions
Within the last week startling aad novel swindls
has been discovered by Special Agent Sharatts of the
Post Office Department, in which the reputation OF
well known legal firm was in danger of being com-
promised by youth in their employ, and largo num-
bcr Of persons narrowly escaped losing considerable
sums OF money. The offender caught however,
before he had done any material damage, and At the
request OF his employers, usual in most Of these
cases. the OF the parties concerned with
held, although the circumstances OF tho made
the business community. are as foli0ws:-
A Few days ago a gentleman called upon Mr.. Shar.
rats, and, In forming him that he had advertised the
loss OF diamond ring. submitted 10 him letter which
he had received, copy OF which is as folows:-
sIn.iaye obtained your ring II you viii write 70 me
me arrested viii return The ring 70 you received =
s%
Mr.. Sharratts found that tho box Indicated
rented by hrm OF reputable lawyers, whose Offices
are on broadway, ani suspecting swindle, he ad-
done: The letter was naced in sne proner bos and
soon after lad about eighteen years OF age
to take out the mail matter OF the rm, together with
the decoy letter. This circumstance reported TO
tho lessccs OF tho box and at Mr.. Sharrats request
they sent TO his office the lad with note stating That
ho was the young man who collected their mail mat
Mr.. Sha.ratts then accused him of being the
thor OF the swindle and no Immediately made clean
breast said he the
''I.ost and Found and took advantage Of having
Post Office box Ut his disposal TO address persons who
had lost articles OF value, hoping 10 obtain money
the property. AZ Mr.. Sharratts' direction he tnen
wrote the following formal confcssion:-
Ny name is. On various days between october u
and November 1875 wrote letters TO certain persons
under The heading Of Los, and Found signed my
psss
would DO again. and he made write this -
i".. T e.fs ~sga and
anything wrong but letters without thinking
very that shall never do SO again.
At the request OF tho lad employers who said that
they had always found him to be honest and faithful
no criminal proceedings were taken against him. and
his mode OF punishment was lett 10 them. Many per-
have called upon Mr. Sharratts In relation 10 this
matter, they having received letters signed In the
same manner the quoted above, the writer
Offering return property that had been lost or stoen
ana asking in advance the amount ranging from
$40 to $50 as guarantee OF good faitb Mono OF tho
persons, no Sever, made tho desired remittance, but
number OF them appointed interviews at different
places and offered protect the from molesta-
ton or arrest II Is fortunate for tho community at
largo that this adro swindc nippcd the bud by
the the special AGENT but the authorities
regret that there much apathy the OF the
essees of with regard the conduct OF tho
pioyes who collect these large quantities OF valuable
and important mail matter and who uso tho boxes for
improper purposes