New-York tribune., 1886-11-10
THE ADAMS EXPRESS ROBBERY.
INDICTMENT OF THE MnssENGER-A LETTER FROM
THE BoBBnR ExoNERATISG HIM.

INDICTMENT OF THE MrssENGER-A LETTER FROM
THE BOBBER ExONERATING HIM.
ST. LOUIS. Nov. 9.-The Globe Democrat this
morning prints letter dated ST. Joseph No.. October
| 81 and signed "Jim Cummings which purpofts 10
give foil history OF the robbery OF the Adams Ek-
press the San Francisco Railroad on tho niRhs
OF October 25, when between $4,000 and 100000 In
currency taken. The letter was received by the
Editor OF The Globe last Tuesday IL enciosed
two express money envelopes from ono OF wnich
$50 900 had been abstracted ard from tho other
S12 OOO and also the memorandum OF the cashier OF
the Bank informing the American Nationai
Bank OF Kansas City that $4,000 was enclosed
The enyelopes and memorandum have been fully
identified as those taken the time OF the ROBBERY
The writer the letter gives as his reason Tor Writing
t that he clear Fotherngham the express mes
senger from suspicion which now attaches 10 hm'
The letter gives full details OF the robbery ana asserts
that Fotherlngham taken completely By surprise
and had no participation IN 1t except as an un willing
victim The writer tells OF previous attempt 10 roo
the car at Cuba Junction. and details the manner in
which he and accompce secured letter-heads csrs
ETC.. aud signatures OF the express officials 10 ehaoe
them forge the order permitting the robber TO rde IN
the messenger. The letter stated that the
robbers had a boat, whch, together with q
camping outfit. two guns and box
Of provisions they had secreed near the bridge az ST.
Charles NO., and also package containing revolver
which had left the check stand at the Union De-
pot in this city day of the robbery The letter Is
written In round back-hand. evidently disguised Is
fairly constructed and generally well spelled errors
where they occur evidently being Intentional az in the
case OF the quotation Honi salt qnt hoy pe''se'
with which 1t concludes and the mes
sengers name, which appears In every in-
stance as "Fartherlnghsm" Following the directions
given in the letter the sk and provisions were
readily foun By the detectives as was also the package
containing the revolver ~ the Union Depot check sahd
Other corroborations OF the letter were numerous.
Fotheriugnam In his first statement SAID tn6 ronooE
had remarked whom he took from the messenscrs
pocket tho forged with which he had gained ac-
cess to tho express he would write letter to
The Globe Democrat vndicatng the messenger inc le
with sons of the stolen unsigned money Frank James
Notwithstanding all this the detectives regard the eter
their vigilant guard over Messenger Fotherinsha'n
or ns ,Sc sr took conderston tho
pressure which would be brought 20 Dear OF the express
messenger and that they laid their plans acGorainsy
found before the robbery there Is no DOUBT Ior
MYSTERIOUS in the neghborhood. aud the guns
purchased 81. Charles, several Gays peiore
also there on the date claimed ietterhe day Of
the robberybut ths detectives claim that the eer was
81 Joseph. They say however the letter has given
them strong clews and thst the wnoio uuln
Ahont 10 O'clock thus morn nS one Of Pinkertons do
tectves placed Fotheringhsm 10 carriage AZ tne SOUTH
the Circuit Court where his haoeas corpus case was 10
be tried. The detective was evidently under nstrnc,
tions much time as possible In conveying
the messenger thither for the coachman drove ms
horse at walk and over roundsoous route,
aud consumed about three-qusrters OF an
hour In doing When the carriage arrived at the or.
cnit Court Deputy sheriff Hartzer served tho warrant
and tho prisoner then taken to the Four Courts
where he was sucked up. short time aiterwaru tno
Grand Jury returned an Indictment against him charg-
ing him with grand larceny aud with receiving stolen
property Two otner indictments were returh9n, que
against Jim" Cummings ami the other against Ricnari
Roe concerning the identity OF whom nothing Is a. yeI
known Mr.. Fotherngham was sren IN the jan ny = re- TO-
porter He stouty asserted that he was innocent OF tue
robbery, that he had bsen shsm,uly treated al Sons
and was about to be malioOusly prosecuted