Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-06-04
Post Office Piiferipg-The Culprit Hereto
fore Unexpected.


fore unsupported.
An interesting case of post Office robbery has
just been successfully worked up by W. II. Bge-
low, Esq, of this city, and Gen. Squirting of
Buckspor, special agents of the post office depart
ment. In March last these gentlemen were
ordered to Providence. r. l., there having been
many and grievious complaints Of losses at that
office. Indeed the stealing had been going on so
long that the difficulty had become chrome. Spe-
cal agents who had been sent TO work up the
had failed to uuravel the thread and had given it
up, completely discouraged. Letters had been
stolen containing all the way from one to fifteen
dollars. The observation-disclosures Squirting and
Biyelow-tried the ordinary expedlents for sscer
tanning who the thieves but failed to make the
discovery, ard then resorted TO extraordinary
measures which it is not evl edent for us TO men
ton. Some fifty sixty persons employed
about the office, and there we've other matters that
seemed to confuse and obstruct every attempt to
throw light upon the subject Certain improve
ments were made in the construction and arrange
ment OF the Office. Gen. Squirting, TO whose per-
severence in this matter the Government is main =
" indebted for ferreting out the criminal,
unobserved by the employees, spent the
most of his time there since the first of
MAY, and finally narrowed the thing down
SO that the loss could be traced to
few persons. Most Of the losses were of letters
received BY the A. NJ. Shore Line Express from
New York, and the 2 z. NJ. ira in from Boston
Three persons only had the handling of these
mails whenShey first came in. Last Wednesday
morning, the detectives from their concealed po-
stion, saw one of the clerks, while he was stamp
ing letters, slip one of the letters up his coat
sleeve, and then with a dexterous movement, as if
going 10 his pocket for his pocket handkerchief,
slide 1t into his pocket This was the first ntlma.
ton that they had received Of the guilty party
On Thursday nothing was detected. On Friday
morning the same clerk discovered to slip
three letters into his pocket. In order to have
sufficient evidence the government must find tie
letters upon the person after he has left the Office
And SO they watched him, and while he was on
his way 10 the water closet for the purpose of ex-
aiming his booty, Gen. Squirting tapped him Il
the shoulder and qpietly told him that he was his
prisoner, and would like to know what he had in
his pockets Several letters were found about his
person, and about 500 in money. He owned up
to stealing small amount for the past few days
were sent through the office month ago.
The culpril's name is W. II. Broadbret, and he
was TIE last person in the office upon whom sus-
picion would be likely to fall. He was a leading
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a
prominent Odd Fellow, a citizen whom every one
loved, man of the best social and business hab
its. no one in the Office serving more faithfully
having been promoted for faithfulness, and was
the loved centre of happy home consisting of
wife and TWO beautiful children. lie has been
employed in the Office for three years, and having
a small salary lived beyond his means lie COM
menced stealing by bringing the letters home and
opening them there, rhng them Of their contents
The practice grew upon him, until, like hundreds
of Others, he has brought disgrace and ruin upon
himself and family. His is an exceptional case,
howevcr; there being no rum, dissipation or fast
living connected with it. Broadbret confessed to
the crime, and will throw himse If on the mercy Of
the court.