Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-04-23
The Post-ofdoe Robbery.


such news concerning the robbery of
the post-oflicc as could be obtained
from street rumor. Since the sus-
pected party is safe in the hands of
the law, Mr.. RandIe, the acting post
master, no longer declines to give the
facts in the case. On the night of
April 9Th the door of the post-otfice
was broken open and the lock was
forced on the desk where the regis
tered letters were kept and money to
the extent of $lll.75 was taken from
letters. Four letters were rifed of
their contents as follows: One from
IChas. Major, at Canton, to the Plant
ers Bank containing $95; one
from Slaughtersville to Eugene Mills
Co., containing Sc; one from Hender-
son to WIN. Mason containing $40
and one from Newstead TO the Bap-
list Monitor with rs cents. These
letters were all unsealed and then
carefully re-sealed and left in the
drawer and the theft was not discov-
cred until they were delivered. The
matter was at once placed in the
hands of the police and they
began to work up the case.
Suspicion pointed to a young
man named Isaac p. Vinson, who
was until last November employed
in the Office. 1t was learned that he
had been pretty Flush" after the rob-
berry, although he was not engaged
in any calling to make money. On
the morning of the 9Th inst, Vinson
left the city and went to Memphis.
On the night of the 18th, he re-
turned to the city and about 2 o'clock
A. M, Sunday, Policeman Witty saw
him come out of the lock-box depart
ment of the post-ofiice, which is left
open all the time. When questioned,
he said he was getting his mail, al
though he has no box. Willie Camp
bell, youth who sleeps in the back
room, says that he was awakened
about2A A. NJ, by some one in his room.
The lamp had been put out and he
saw man trying to open the letter
drawer in the Office, with a lamp
turned down so low that lie could
not be recognized. When Campbell
jumped out of bed the thief climbed
around and over the partition above
the money order desk where 1t joins
the wall at a window and jumped
down and ran out of the front door,
making the noise which attracted
Policeman WHY'S attention when
he saw Vinson come out. Investiga-
ton showed that no money had been
secured this time, as the robber was
frightened of before he succeeded in
his undertaking. Sunday, Vinson
again left and Monday morning Mr..
Randle received a letter from him,
post-marked Nashville, in which he
said he had obtained permanent
position in Memphis hardware
store and, after expressing regret
that he did not see him Saturday
night, added that he understood he
suspected him of stealing money
from the post Office, but he was iDno-
cent of such charge and would hate
to think he (Mr. Randle) would
think him capable of doing such
a thing. This, it will be
borne in mind, was before Mr..
Raudle had ever told anyone besides
the officers of the law of the robbery.
On the strength of this evidence the
authorities at Memphis were wired
to hold Vinson. He was captured at
hotel in that city, being in compa-
my with Mary Kallishaw, woman
of the town, late ofthis city. The U.
6. authorities having him in charge
were expected TO arrive here from
Memphis last night. His examining
trial viii be held here before Judge
]. 1. Landes, the deputy for this dis
trict.
Vinson is Q young man about Is or
20 years old. small of statue and al
most boyish in appearance. He was
always a very quiet, well-behaved
boy and his arrest on so serious a
charge was great surprise to his &C.
uuaintances In this CITY.