New-York tribune., 1884-01-05
F.. II. KOBBES DEFALCAHON.
HOW HE WAS TRACED AND ARRESTED.

DETECTIVE PINKERT0N'S sToRY-WAs VAN A'sDAhI
A CoNFEDERATEH
A leoaen cylinder about three inches in diam
e,er and two feet in length sealed al one end ana having
a brass cap at the other, aud containing piece VI
a stout broom handle, was exhibited YESTERDAY
by Robert A. Pinkerton the latest addition 10 us cor
lection OF souyenirs OF criminals whom he has success
fully hunted down To this trophy there attaches 'ae
which was briefly outlined In dispatch from Cmcago
Yesterday II was taken last Monday from the cellar OF
n Brooklyn house. Wrapped around the broom hanuie
were United States coupon bonds worth S-o'o'V' oh
Sunday Mr. Pinkerton took from dry cisterh III tne
back ward OF house in New-YOrk leaden tupe Dent
double containing another package OF Uni
ted states bonds 10 the same amount
ase were norton of the proceeds Of S65,000 stolen by
+ II Kobbe from Bamfed Brothers, provision dealers,
OF Liverpool England Their agents are sperry Barnes
extensive brokers in beef and pork who have branch
Office at No 80 Whitehsst their main ohce being IN
NewIIayen.
Kobbe was employed Jointly by spery Barnes and
R,mAela Brothers He had been in the employ OF the
latter firm several years and was regarded with mpcit
confidence lie had charge Of their exchange ana
II was part of his duties to sell the bills OF eIcAange dfawh
on the Liverpool firm by their agents, sperry Barnes
Last summer Charles Bamfeld previous 10 shnhS LOT
England introduced KObbe 10 the various bankers who
were in the habit of buying his exchanges and told them
that Kobbe was HIS trusted employc, and hai entre
charge OF his exchange business Among others 10 who
ne thus commended KObbe the firm OF Jesup Patton
4 Co.. bankers, of No so Williamst. Kobbe enjoyed TO
sucb AN extent the confidence OF his employers that
sometimes according Detective Pnkerton, Mr Sperry
when exceedingly busy would sign drafts In blank ana
leave the amount 10 be filed In by KObbe On November
27 Kobbe thus filled out draft for f2,lO+ os 5u on
December ono for af,8l7 Os sd. and on Dccem-
Der 5 one for 9G,245 o.. l0d. These dratts were
taken to Jesup, Patton Co" ana sofa
in the usual way; they were not
dul hV EImiell Brothers
news sperry & Barnes and were promptly honored on
prcscutaton Kohbc paid in checks made
novab,e TO his own order. lie deposited the
checks amounting al p0 to about S62VqSU no.
Withdrew the money and invested $l9Ooo IN Iour prr
ce1S 64 DecHcT i Ro6c disappeared from the city An
examination of his accounts revealed the extent OF ms
defairnfo1 sperry Il barnes placed the case in the
hands Of Pnkcrons detective ency. They also began
ln against Ko6bo, and obtained an order OF arrest
tograph Robbie was traced to Chicago It II
was ascerained that companion OF ms J%onh % Is;
Van Ar5dalc had left the city with him. and mat they had
been living the fremont House Chicago under tho as
ON december 2s Kobbc was arrested in that city, in
house of III repuc after violent spree iG consented 70
accompany tie detectives to his city without requsi-
ton. Van Arsluo lad meanwhile returned 70
Ncw-Yo,k Kohhe was not lodged IN jail,
but was EGPT6nr FgPS the mnuSnco Of his
friends ne induced to make fan confession As 10
Delectiyc Pnkcrton refused TO state yesterday but cX
pressed belief that he had confelcratcs who put hin
T.,
a house In this city where he and Van Ar'dhc were
on Intimate terms He introduced under an assumed
name We found prctcNt going into the back yard,
aud there he showed where hc aud Van ArsIdle ma
away eadcn tube containing United states bonds OF tue
value Of 10000. On Monday | aud other detectives
accompanied him hOusc IA brooklyn, In the ccla
which found caden cyliuIcr containing another roll
OF bonds worth 100000"
Mr. Pipkcrton refused TO give the location or these
houses but said that they both in IcSPcctahe
neglborhood aud that 10 the inmates OF tho house IN
Ncv-York no suspicion attached. lie Is sanGuine ot
recovering tho whole amount CmOcLAed, with the c1-
/ CeptiOn Of s., 900 or $4,000.
KObbe Is st under arrest. He Is about twentyseven
wears OF age and is described OF attractive appear
ance and manners. He is married, but has no
children Van Arsdale arrested lave on IhurS-
day on an order issued by Justice DonOhue In inc
supreme Court, and Yesterday he sent TO the Lud-
low street Jail In default OF 900 ball The order was
issued on charge that Van Arsdale was Implicated 10
the amount Of So 500 In tho pCCulannS OF hODbe van
Arsdae says he Is twenty eight years OF age; he Is mar
ried and has child Ills face Is fuu ana smooth
shavcn and hc Is bOyish IN manner and appear
anCc His address he would not give. lie
said that he clerk, but had bccp
out OF employment for time. lie had known kohhe
for many years tow days before Christmas he says
Kobhc invited him to 60 To Chicago on spree ana N"h
cered dcfray all the expenses Hc went and .prcca
/ until Kobhe told hiu to return 10 Ncw-1Ork: lie
denied being any way accessory to the dciacaon' or
having any kuowrdgc Of how Hohbc obtained the money
which Ice spent ficrly lie Invited me to get drunk
with him. Van Arada'c sad, "and | got drunk anal
don't sec what am here for