The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-06-21
A SAN FRANCISCO TRICK.
How the Mint I'm that City War Robbed
A Novel Method.

States mint, at San Francisco, came into
Office, he became convinced there were
leakages during the working of bullion
deposited in the mint-in other words,
that somebody was stealing. He COM
municated his suspicion to Capt. Stone,
who called in detective Jehu, and to"
gether the two began an investigation
that ended in the arrest of a colored
man named Smith, charged with stealing
at different times SIC, 1000 from the mint.
The feat of the officers, which began In
October last, is one of the most cleverly
executed pieces OF detective work In
the annals of the department, and has
resulted in some important discoveries
and arrests. Henry Smith, who has
heretofore been prominent coli
ored citizen of good reputation and
of considerable influence in politics,
was first employed as a porter in the
mint of 1859. He subsequently left,
and was Teappointed night Waterman in
1875, leaving the latter place about q
year and half ago, since which time he
has had no connection with the mint.
Upon ascertaining that there were
grounds for the superintendent sus-
picions, the detectives made inquiries at
the various places in the city where
bullion was sold. 1t was discovered that
Smith was selling large quantities of
gold bullion, although he had been out
of the mint for months. The detectives
then tried to ascertain where the metal
came from. examining the records of
the express Offices and books of agents
in this city, through whom bullion
might be sent to Smith, and found that
it did not come from the country. 1t
was then determined that Smith must
have bullion in his possession, as he
kept on selling it at various places, and
he was watched, for months being under
the eyes OF detective Jehu. 1t was sus
pected that he had accomplices, but
none were found, and the utmost vigi>
lance failed to discover where the gold
came from. However, the detectives
concluded to take Smith into custody,
having obtained circumstaptial evidence
to warrant them in so doing. On being
arrested, Smith denied any knowledge of
the matter. The detectives then went
to Smiths house at 731 Broadway, and,
searching it from top to bottom, only
about one Thousand dollars were found.
But in searching the grounds about the
house, pieces of a small smelling furnace
were found. These were dug up and
shown to Smith, who still denied his
guilt, and affirmed that they must have
been put there by some one else. But
the officers began another search in the
yard, and soon dug up the remainder o!
the furnace, which was rich in globulee
of gold ranging in value from % cents to
80. The fire bricks were also covered
with Stag rich in gold. All this was
shown to Smith, who continued to main,
tain his innocence. However, the off
GERS made another search of the grounds
when detective Jehu, in probing about
a flower bed struck a hard substance
with his spade about two feet below tht
base of cactus plant. This substance
was uncovered, when small bean POI
was found, covered with saucer, which
had been sealed with beeswax. The poi
was opened, and found to contain sever
ingots of gold, about the size and shapeo
q teacup, and worth about $6 200. Wher
these were shown Smith, he confessed
the whole thing. He said that while nigh
Waterman, under General La Grange
of the refinery, in which are situated
the iron tanks containing what is known
as the "mash" gold and silver bullion In
solution, and in process of separation
During this process acid is used, which
diss0lyes the silver and causes the gold
to fall to the bottom. The iron tanks
are locked at night, but there is a small
hole in their tops, through which hose
is inserted and water is allowed to run
upon the gold to wash the acid from it
At night Smith used to insert long
scoop made of zinc and gathe, up small
quantity of the metal, which he melted
down in crucible at home. Smith wal
for several years in the employ of the
Pacific Mail Steamship company, run
ming as steward on one of the Panams
steamers. He was turned over to thu
4 III. S. marshal.