Daily globe., 1878-11-24
THO EIHBRIDGB EPISODE,
The "Globe" Development the Talk Of
the Town Yesterday.
THE FIRST NEWS RECEIVED.
Stating That the Swindler was Thought
to be in Nebraska.
COPIES OF THE CORRESPONDENCE
And the Trip Of Cashier Merriam and
Detective Cleveland.
TELEGRAM FROM MERRIAM.
He Reports Progress to NJ. Auerbach,
President Of the Bank.

The whole community wee startled yester-
day by the GLOBES exclusive account of MIR.
William II. Merriam's departure after Charles
Etheridge. The interest in the Etheridge af-
far was again revived, and every group on the
streets made it a subject of conversation, and
everywhere it was the general topic. ''Will he
be brought back? Do you believe they are on
the right track?" ETC., were few of the nu-
merous questions banded about Etheridge's
escape, his fall from the high place he occupied
has wrought this community up to a pitch of
excitement, the like of which has not been
equalled for many a day. Every little piece Of
gossip, and even hazardous guesses--the Dis
patch'S Jennie Roberts-story-ha been eager
ly devoured. AS the days sped along, new in
terests, of course, overshadowed the
grand scandal. But slumbering inter-
est was kindled anew by the
information exclusively imparted by the
GLOBE yesterday. Speculation took all manner
of shapes, and assumed different forms upon
the all-important question.
HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED IN THE CITY.
Not a few hoped it was not Etheridge: hoped
That he would not be caught. Others contended
even If he were captured that nothing could,
or. at least. would be done to him. There were
some few, and among them were some alleged
newspaper men, who discredited the whole
story. AS tothis there were parties in the city
who knew it was strictly and substantially cor
rect, for important facts, and the manner of
how 1.-The news" come to hand was too circum-
spectly told to raise doubt in their minds but
that somebody had ''peached.'' The fact of
Etheridges supposed presence on the Union
Pacific railroad had been communicated to Off
GERS of the Merchants National bank. at an
early day this week. Their reasoning and ac-
ceptance of the news was well shown IN in
the GLOBE Of yesterday. They clucked
over the thing, fairly set on it, and thought
they had fully covered it up hide and horns
from even the suspicion of anybody The
GLOBE rolled around that way, and the secret
was flushed, and now the GLOBE brings down
che game and bags it.
HOW THE ''aLoBE" GOT ONTO TT.
1t matters not how the information WAS oh
talned, it sufficcs to say that it was substan-
TALLY correct as published yesterday. This
much may be said, that the GLOBES account
was a genuine first-class surprise to all the
parties to whom the reason of Merriam's de-
bach, Mann, and Col. Merriam, of the Mer
chants National bank; Mayor Dawson, Chief
Weber and Capt. Clark. These gentlemen
were the custodians of the secret, and to them
the GLOBES report came like revelation, The
cause actnating these parties to secresy were
very different; the city officers wanted to give
Merriam time to catch his man; the bank Off
GERS wanted the same thing, but had added
n
1T the thing was possible, with
Etheridge. Both parties agreed, if the secret
We're divulged, that friends here might teIe-
graph to Etheridge, and facilitate his escape.
The GLOBE shared in this apprehension, but
had coupled with it the duty to give to it's pat
rons all legitimate news In deference to the
pubic, the news was published; in obedience
to the wish to further the ends of Justice. the
location, San Francisco, was substituted for
North Platte, the actual place where Etheridge
was reported to be, and where Merriam had
gone.
The bankers and others have seen fit in view
OF the GLOBES revelation, to openly discuss the
matter. All restriction is therefore removed
from the GLOBE, and the story of Merriam's
pursuit after Etheridge is given as follows:
HOW THE INFORMATION CAME HERE.
Last Tuesday morning Chief Weber received
the following letter:
NoRTH PLATTE, Neb., Nov. 18th.
DEAR SIR:-I have positive information of the
whereabouts of Charles Etheridgs who absconded
from your city some time ago, and who swindlei one
OF your banks out of the amount of S36,OOO Please
send photo and description, also the amount of tho
reward and will endeayor to return him to his
FORMER residence. Yours respectfully,
VIM. EGAN, City Marshal.
lie readily realized the importance of the com
munlcatlon, and at once repaired to the Mer-
chants National bank in quest of Mr.. Merriam
or Mr.. Mann.
THE BANK INFORMED.
be met Mr.. Auerbach on the corner of Third
and jackson streets. Mr.. Auerbach was placed
IN possession of the important contents of the
letter. He made an appointment to meet the
chief at his (Auerbach's) residence that even
ing at o'clock. Prompt upon the hour, the
chief presented himself. Mr.. Auerbach had
left message for the chief to come to Col.
Merriam residence. There he found Mr.. Auer
bach in conversation with the Messrs. Merriam.
father and son. The full import of the letter
was again laid before them, and after consider
able dlscussion it was concluded that it would
be best" to send somebody out there; but
nothing definite was determined. The next
day further consultation between these
parties was had in Col. Merriam's Office, corner
jackson and Third streets. The police officer
urged prompt action, and stated that in the
event OF their wanting an officer, he had ar
ranged with Mayor Dawson to despatch one
provided all expenses were paid by the bank.
w. q. MERRIAM TO GO ON THE MISSION
The bankers readily assented, and concluded
that one Of the bank officers should go also,
The choice fell on the cashier, Mr.. VIM. r.
Merriam. He stated and the others aoreed