The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-06
THE "BOSS" MAIL kOBBER.

ssMArT" CALLAHAN IN cUsToDY--RUN TO THE
GROUND FROM MAINE TO CALIFORNIA.
on tho 4ih OF January tho HERALD published highly
interesting story Of series OF astounding mail dopre
dations The facts OF the case then related, were
that during several weeks previous to that time heavy
and mysterious losses OF mails were experienced by
Philadelphia and Boston merchants, which were trans
ported between the cities large force OF special
agents was detailed by tho Post ONCE Department TO
ferret out depreciation but the robbcres wcrc con.
Quoted so systematically that tor long time they were
kept on tho At 1rst It was supposed that mails
wero stolen in Philadelphia. but this theory soon
faded. During this timo many OF the checks lost In
these mails were presented different banks In Pha-
dcIpha on skiifuly forged Endorsements and paid on
demand. These payments wore made TO tho extent Of
about $4,000 Prior to this, and as early as October
23 1876 losses Of valuable baggage coming from the
Centennial while In care of Dodd's Express Company,
became SO alarmiugy frequent that this company
called IN she services Of detective agency to assist In
sscertaiuing VINO committed the outrages
About the 2s.h Of December two OF the suspected
men entered the Office OF tho American Express Com
pauy corner OF Broadway and Fourth street, each
rying large bundle under his arm, which they wcre
seen 10 bring IRON house n Priuce street, when tho
contents oil ono OF the bagswerc found TO be large
number OF mutiiated letters bearing the postmark
york, Pa. for New York city, y December 10 and ID
In the other bag found a satchcl belonging 10
route agents registering book, stamps, and tools tor
rating and Weighing lctters The two packages wero
wrapped IN brown paper ana 'np' consspng onS
n Y. and tho other TO George Gumblcton, Oswego, n
Y. on the same afternoon two young men named
James Crawford ana John Kelly, who had also boon
formerly employed by Dodd'b Express Company, wcrc
arrested. woman named Mary j. Collins, living at
the house No. III Prince street, also taken into
custody. subsequently search warrant was OBJ
tanned from Judge Duffy, and In trunk belonging
TO large lot oil letters wcro found. IN which l0V
nrlnr In
were enclosed John DE Friesse, the driver OF tho
mail wagon from which tho pouches containing the
taken before Special Agent Sharretts made confess
SION which implicated Others All tho above named
parties were arraisned before United states Commits
quentiy John Kelly was tried convicted aud sentenced
TO three years. Imprisonment. De Friesse received
sentence o two years and The ohcrs were discharged
from want OF evidence. except Crawford, 10 whose
case sentence was suspended.
THE MASTER SPIRIT OF THE CONSPIRACY.
Tho sequel TO this story comes TO light The
parties named above, while thcy were very active
were at most only the cat'spaws IN the hands OF
sharp rascal who used them TO do the labor while no
schemed aud planned Tor them. Ihs was q man
named Mathew Callahan, who took the cue as soon as
on the wing ever since rinkcrlon's officers and
United States Deputy Marshas have followed him all
over tho country even 70 California ana PACK ester
States Deputy Marshals OF this CITY, arrested him in
room Of the st. Charles Hotel. where he was asleep
and brought him TO the United States Court House,
whore he will BIO examined to-day. Callahan Is man
OF tho most undaunted assurance. II s told Of him
that he took one OF tho checks stolen from tho mail
bags TO Philadelphia bank. ON approaching tho
counter pulled forth large pockotDook, and from
among bundle OF other papers drew out chock Tor
s. 900 and laid IL down. The teller, being busy, paid
no attention TO Callahan This Rentleman however,
became impatient and asked the cashier whether that
check s.wasn't good" The bank officer looked nj "
awhile and finally asked him how he wanted the
money. Callahan answered in hundreds and 1ties
The bills were handed him, which ho rcconnted with
the utmost nonchaance, aud, alter carefully placing
them IN peck strolled out OF tho bank with
his easily gained plumber With the arrest OF Callahan
the last OF these mali robbers has been apprehended