The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-24
Caught by Il DeeOy-A Post.Oniee
Clerk I'm Tr0uhIe

Hardly had the sensation caused by the
defalcation Of j. j. G.. Dougherty, the trust
ed chief clerk OF the money-order depart
ment OF the post-Ofiice, died out when In
spector W. Il. Henderson brings to light
another case OF malIeasance i'm office i'm the
same branch OF the Government service.
Last night he arrested Charles T. Hemmick,
chief separating clerk in the mailing depart
/ ment. on the charge OF rObbing the United
States mails OF $40. Several months
ago complaint was made TO the post-office
authorities that number OF valuable let
tiers failed to reach their destination, and
the Department at Washington being noti-
fed, the case was put in the bands Of In
spector Henderson to work up.
After six weeks careful watching Hem
mick was seen several Zines by Special
Of1cer Thomas Troy TO conceal letters about
his person. He bad an ingenious method
OF picking the letters from the piles which
almost deceived the keen eyes OF the officer.
Icsterda- morning Inspector Henderson
placed several decoy letters in the regular
Dail-boX. Two were addressed 10 True &
Company, publishers, Augusta, Me-. and
two to Hallett Il Company, Portland. Me.
The letters reached lIemmick about
O'Clock in the afternoon. and Is soon rs he
left his desk Inspector Henderson, who
was watching near by. examined the east
ern mail, and, as he expected, found the let
tiers TO True II Company missing and the
others in their proper place. He decided rot
TO arrest lIemmick until he had left the
building, fearing hc had concealed the let
tiers about his desk. At : O'Clock
Hemmick left the office. closely followed "
Inspector Henderson and his assistant.
OIncer IIVN. Iemmick walked M Holt
day street, and just before he reached Bal
timore street word WAS given and Mr.. Troy
quickcned his pace, and oycr,uking Hem
mick, placed his band on his shoulder and
said: Il want yOu.' Al this moment
Inspector Henderson advanced and said to
Icnmick: "Do You know me Z" lie re-
piled that he did. AID asked what was want
ed OF him. Inspector II ndcrsOn said ne
w0uId iind that out soon enough. and that in
the meantime he would have 20 return to the
poSt-0tlice. Trembling from head 20 foot.
llcmmick relraccd his steps between the
officers. II "aS noticed that he quickly
thrust his hands in his pockets, but before
he could get them out AGAIN Inspector
Henderson kept them there until the post
office was reached. ilcmmick was then in
Structcd 10 take everything in his clothes
and lay them on the table. In one pocket
OF the pants was found a marked silver half
dollar, and in the other SG.G0m marked notes
and currency. SEEING that the game was up,
lIcmmicl, made full confession and plead.
ed for mercy on account Of his wife, who is
about 10 become mother. He said he had
been pilfering letters for the last three
months. He supposed he bad taken
about twenty-five letters altogether, but
the inspector said fully 800 letters. pro-
badly containing over $1,000, have been
lost in that time. From the pO>t-otlice
Hemmick was taken TO the Central station
house, where he was taken care OF until
this morning.
Inspector Henderson said IIcmmick was
Il regular attendant at the pool-rooms on
Fayctte street, and was frequently seen TO
buy pools on horse races and other sport
ing events. 1t is also known that he lived
beyond his means for some time. He has
been in the mailing department about five
months, and previous to that time was in
the city delivery department. Before his
appointment he was a clerk for several
years with McSsrS. Woodward Il CO., COM
mission merchant, in this city. He mar
ricd daughter OF Colonel William Schlcy.
and has three children, the oldest OF which
is ten years OF age. His ilthcr i EX-Justicc
iIcmmick, Il Wcll-known citizen. Com
nj -Sioncr Roger, will hear the case to-
dav.