Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-08-05
A Pos rMAsrsR SHORT.
Horny r. NIuIiin OF DeIaware CITY
Arrested aor misuslpR Governments
PaaraI Funda.

Henry +. Mullin, postmaster Of Delaware
City, was arrested Friday afternoon, on
the charge OF misusing the postal funds of
th' government. United States Marshal
Newlln and Deputy Marshal Ainscow drove
down to Delaware City In the afternoon,
leaving here at o'clock. They arrested
Mullln and brought him 70 this city, arrfv-
ing 10 the evening. Tho charge was made
before United States Commissioner Smith
on Thursday and the prisoner was aware
of the fact day before the arrest wis
made. He showed no disposition to evade
the law, and was allowed to put up Friday
night at the European Hotel, being kept
only under surveillance and not In eontlne
ment. At 10 o'clock Saturday morning he
was taken before Commissioner Smith and
arraigned. The charge against him
was brought by United States Post
ONCE Inspector Lorne Harrison, who had
Investigated the accounts OF tho office at
Delaware City on Wednesday week and dis
covered the deficit. The principal count
was that OF appropriating to his own use
money derived from the sale = I money
orders to the amount of &2,Dl4 Other
money was charged to have been taken In
the same way from the sales OF postage
stamps, postal cards, &C., amounting 10
$l57,63 making the total deficiency In the
office. $2,17l.53. Mullin was asked whether
he was guilty of the charge or not guilty.
Hostood In an attitude OF indoctsion and did
not seem to have decided upon any conTse
OF action. After u considerable laitise the
commissioner stated that II his Desired to
consult counsel as 10 his plan Of l'rossdar,
he could waive hearing and
enter bail. The commissioner said he
he did not say this In order to give him ad-
vic0, but TO inform him OF his privilege
under the circumstance. The prisoner then
decided to waive the hearing and the plea
OF not guilty was entered. The commits
sioner fixed The bail at S2,500. When Mullin
was asked whether he could give the ball
he said he thought his father would give It,
but that he was away and could not reach
this city before some time in the afternoon.
He was asked whether there was nobody
else, and answered that perhaps he could
get his brother. He did not manifest any
immediate disposition to call on the latter,
and was committed to the custody of the
marshall until such time us bail should be
furnished. The bail Is for his appearance
at the next term of the United States dis
trlct court, which meets on thesecond Tues
day In September. The acts with which he
Is charged are In violation OF sections 4,0i3
and 4,049, United States statutes.
The prisoner Is about 28 years OF age. He
has been In the drug business for about six
years past, and little less than u year ngo
was appointed postmaster Of Delaware City,
succeeding James Price, Republican. The
post office was located in Mullins drug
store, and the postmaster was required to
give bonds In the sum OF $4,000. The
bondsmen are his father, William ID. Mullln,
his father-in-law, ]. G. Berger, Isaac N.
Ubel and William Beck. The shortage is q
large one considering the business OF the
office and the length of time Mullin held II.
The cause OF tho malfeascence Is believed
to be q propensity for stock gambling. 1t is
stated that Mullin told Inspector Harrison
when the shortage was discovered that
81 $50 of the postal funds taken are in the
hands OF bucket shop brokers--SS00 with
Schllce Il Co., King street, this city; $400
with Merritt Il Smith, Philadelphia; and
$3.50 with James r. Truman, Philadelphia.
1t Is also asserted that Mullln has speculated
in this way before, and that he lost over
81 900 In those ventures, his paper going to
protest and his father and somefriehds TAX
Ing 1t up. The postmaster was highly re-
spected young citizen OF Delaware City and
his fall In this way caused much regret In
that villaee. Ball was secured and Mullln
was released at noon Saturday.