Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-12
QUICK WORK
Story of an Express RObbsr and
His Booty.
A bag OF Gold Disappears Be-
tween Savannah and Knox
V~ilie-DIsepvery of the Thief.
Atlanta Post-Anpnnl.

superintendent VILLAIN II, clayton,
ofthe Central Division ofthe Southern
Express Company, got to Atlanta
Monday afternoon, and brought with
him theromantic story Of a sensational
express robbery not yet given to the
public.
On the 18th Of December last a bag
Of gold, containing 5000 II, shipped
on the 9th Of the same month from
Savannah, by William p, Hardee,
treasurer Of the Savannah, Florida and
Western Read, to j. G. Mitchell,
treasurer Of the East Tennessee, Viz.
ginia and Georgia railroad, at Knox
vile, was missed. Superintendent
Clayton, who was at Dalton, was
notified Friday, December 20, that
the Knoxville Office was short this
g~littering treasure. Clayton at once
~telegraphed his route agent Mr.. John
Lovett and his detective, Mr.. John
Hildebrand, at Atlanta, to come on to
Knoxville to which point be preceded
them without delay. Arrived at that
point, il accordance with a rule Of
the Southern Express Company framed
tor such cases, Mr. Clayton, in con-
junction with Messrs. HldebrAnd and
Lovett, proceeded at once TO take the
sworn statements of the employees OF
the company in relation to the money.
One by one the employees gave their
statements, and each man was then
interviewed in the most searching
style. Last Of all Mr.. J. w. Paxton,
Of Knoxville, an express messenger,
running between Chattanooga and
Lynchburg, was questioned. His stery
was told brokenly and once or twice
during the recital be choked up and
showed signs Of guilt, The investiga.
tion was through, consuming a whole
day. Paxton did not confess, but the
trio of investigators concluded never.
theless, that he was tie man. But
the proof was not forthcoming
aud Route Agent John LOyett, was
ordered to Lynchburg TO continue the
investigation at that point. Shortly
after his departure Paxton asked
leave TO 60 to Lynchburg to get his
clothes l. was granted, and By order
OF Superintendent Clayton Detective
John Hildebrand took the same train
on which Paxton left Knoxville with
out that gentleman's knowledge. Mr..
Lovett was ordered to look out ior
Paxton in Lynchburg. Lovett at
once engaged Mr.. Halsey Golman. a
L~ynchburg detective, and when Pax
ton reached that city he was shadow
ed. 50 closely was he watched tina.
be did not leave town, but told Jor
dan Sanders, a cOlored express porter.
that the missing money was in the
tunnel half a mile west Of Lynchburg,
aud instructed him to get il and keep
it until he could see him. Homes,
negro that he was, Sanders went
straight to Mr.. w. r. Twyman, agent
OF the company at Lynchburg, and
told told him exactly what Paxton had
said. Mr.. Ferguson and the negro i'm.
mediately set ous for the tunnel. and
sure enough. after a brief search, they
found the lag Of gold in a little
puddle Of water near the center OF the
tunnel. The bag was vet and muddy.
but contained 1904 II. every cent d
the stolen money. The gold was
turned over to Mr.. Lovett, who re
turned with Il to Knoxville. When
Paxton heard that the lost had been
found, he confessed the theft. saving
Il not only stole the money, but
swOre a DID lie about it." Superin.
tendent Clayton sent Jordan Sanders
$25, which the honest porter richly
merited. Superintendent Clayton and
his assistants were warmly commend
cd BY General superintendent O'BriYn
and President Plant for their prompt
aud successful action in this import.
ant manner. Only a few weeks acc
Messrs, Clayton. Lovett and Hide
brand caught the safe blowers who
robbed the Express Company al
AdsirsYille. They don't seem to know
how to fail. If these gentlemen had
time, We verify believe that they could
bring to light our missing COUNTY
bonds, and catch the deiaulting Stat,
Treasurer Of Tennessee.