The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-15
THE MISSING PACKAGE.
What the Bank officers and the Express
Company Say of ITS Disappearance.

The investigation by the officers of the United
States Express Company relative to the mys-
FERROUS disappear ance of the So 900 money pack
age sent to Muncie by the First National Bank
OF this city, on Jan. 4, was concluded last FRI
day, and the decision reached is given in the fol-
lowing letter addressed to Mr.. Lynch, the presi-
dent OF the bank:
"UNITED STATES EXPRESS CoMPANY,(
CLEVELAND, o., Jan. IL. 5
"a. D. Lynch, Esq:
"Dear Strive have completed our investiga-
ton, and after mature study we absolutely
certain that the United States Express Company
transported to Muncie the identical package and
contents that was delivered to our company by
your bank messenger at Indianapolis Jan. 4,
1888, and delivered it 10 the consgnee in the
good order that we received it. Yours very truly,
"E. NJ MATHEWS Division superintendent"
Information of the conclusions which had
been reached was received by G. s. Phillips, the
company's agent in this city, Saturday after
noon, and a Journal reporter, hearing of the
matter shortly afterward, went directly to the
bank for the purpose of learning how the news
had been received by the officers. Mr. Lynch,
the president, stated that he had received no
notification of the decision reached by the
press company, and that the 10 urnal representa-
tive was the first to inform HIM. Desiring to
verify the statement, he asked the reporter to
accompany him to the office of the United
States Express Company, only few
doors away, and learn authoritativey what
office he was informed by Mr.. Phillips that the
officers OF the company had decided that the
money package was delivered in the same cor
dItion that they received it, and that letter Civ
ing notification of the decision had been for
warded to Mr.. Lynch by the division supern-
tendent, which he supposed had been received.
Mr.. Lynch replied that he had received no such
letter, and with some asperity remarked that he
thought it very discourteous in tn 9 express com
pany to give the matter to the press before noti-
flying him.
After leaving the express office, Mr.. Lynch
explained that nothing had been withheld
which would aid the company iu their IN
vestigation, aud he felt that they had not been
fairly treated in not being Informed in advance
OF the publication of the decision. As the letter
had been mailed the day before, Mr.. Phillips JUS
titled his action by saying that there had been
ample time for the message of notification TO
reach him In advance
The manner in which the money package was
done up was infinitely explained to the re-
porter by the bank officials. The bills were ia
ken from the safe In one package of $4,000, by
Arthur Edmunds, the bank messenger, about 3
O'Clock, and in the presence of three attaches it
was wrapped and addressed to the Muucie bank.
The messenger ran down to the express
office. delivered the package and returned to the
bank in less than five minutes. The handling of
the money was all done in full view of three of
the bank officials.
The express company claims that the result of
the investigation shows that the package WAS
delivered in Muncie in the same condition that it
was received by them in this city. They will re-
fuse to make good the loss. When asked If the
bank would bring suit against the express cOm-
pany to enforce payment OF the $4,000, Mr.
Lynch replied that he was not prepared to state
what course would be taken until the question
of liability between consignee and carrier
decided whether the bank at Muncie or the bank
in this city would have to bring the suit for re-
covery of the money. He stated empbatically,
made responsible for the loss by the proper
parties.