The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-10-04
TEACING A CRIME.
Money Recovered that was Stolen Two
Years Ago.

TEACING a CRIME.
Money Recovered that was Stolen Two
Years Ago.
BUFFALO, N. T., Sept. 24.-On June
l, 1886, package containing SIC, 900 was
shipped in the United States Express by
the Union National Bank of Cincinnati,
10 the Van Vert National Bank, of
Ohio. When the package reached its
destination it was opened and found to
be bogus, being stuffed with paper and
cotton batting. It was evident that the
$4,000 had been stolen. An investiga-
tion followed under the direction OF
Superintendent Calvin Cone of the ex.
press company and others. They came
to the conclusion that the package had
been put up in the shape ia which it was
found at the bank in Cincinnati. On
that theory, payment was resisted by the
express company, against which suit for
the amount was brought in the United
States Court at Toledo, aud the case was
tried during the winter Of 1886 81. The
company was beaten, judgment against
it was entered and the money paid.
Here the matter rested until little over
a year ago when it was referred to Colo.
mel John Byrne, of this city, who had, in
the meantime, been appointed general
detective of the express company.
ON THE TRAIL.
The Colonel went to Ohio and became
convinced that the genuine package had
been stolen at Greenville, Ohio, and the
bogus one substituted by a man named
John F. Murphy, who WAS employed as
driver by the United States Express
agent at Greenville. He left the employ
OF the company in July, 1887, under
somewhat suspicious circumstances and
after demanding a large increase in salary,
which be knew the company would not
pay. After leaving he made no effort to
get work, though be was not known to
have any means. On August l, 1887, ne
left Greenville and went to Dakota, say.
ing he intended taking up land claim.
From Dakota he went to Southern Kan.
cas- and stopped at Mead Centre. Here
he arranged to locate, after which he
returned to Greenville for his family.
consisting of his wife and two children.
On October 81, 1887, he left Greenville
with his family. Murphy was next heard
of at Art esian City, in Mead County,
about eight miles from Mead Centre,
where he was engaged in running a
country store.
BYRNE GETS A CLUE.
Colonel Byrne, about two months ago,
learned that his Suspect" was making
expenditures in his new home that were
altogether unwarrauted by his known
financial condition. The Colonel made
further investigation and found he was
paying for everything be purchased in
spot cash. Colonel Byrne again proceed
ed to Greenville and nled aftidavlts on
which requisitation was obtained from
the Governor of Ohio to the Governor OF
Kansas, on which the latter gave him a
warrant for the arrest of Murphy. A!
noon a week ago to day he arrived al
Mead Centre and obtained the assistance
of the sheriff of the County and a lawyer
Then they started for Artesian City,
eight miles distant, and there found
Murphy, who was arrested by the Sheriff
on the Governors warrant. The prison.
er was questioned as to bis finances and
said that he had about $500 with him
when he came to Kansas, which he had
saved up from his earnings. When asked
about his real and personal property,
purchased since his arrival in Kansas, he
enumerated amounts which figured ur
1900 or 81 400.
THE MONEY FOUND.
The Sheriff Immediately departed witt
Murphy, and Colonel Byrne then begal
to search his house. He came across s
centre table which be attempted to lif
when me top came of. He then dis
covered that one of the legs of the tabl'
was hollow, and thrusting his arm dowr
to the elbow, felt something. He dreO
it forth, and to his amazement, as we'll al
qualification, it proved to be package
Containing $6, ,45O of the atolen money
$500 of which was in 500 bills. Muir
phys wife, who was spectator OF tn
discovery, exclaimed: "My God! be-
guilty."
The Colonel started for the railroa,
station, where he wired the Sheriff on tn
train that he had found the stolen money
The Sheriff showed the dispatch t
Murphy, who then "weakened," and ad
mitted. his guilt. On the following ds
the. Colonel arrived at Hutchinson, an
the prisoner was delivered to him. o.
Friday, he in turn delivered Murphy t
the Sheriff, at Greenville, Ohio. Mex
morning he was arraigned, waived exami
nation and was committed to trial.
MURPHY coNFEssEs.
On the train coming East Murphy sal
that the money package went by In
Greenville station, where it should bav
been transferred, and was sent back an
remained over night. When the packag
went by be conceived the idea of takin
it. In the afternoon it came back fron
Union City ard was received by him
He took it and delivered it to the agent
That night it remained in the vault
During the night, having resolved t
carry out the scheme, he prepared in III
Office and at his house the contents foun
in the package when it reached Va'
Vert.
In the morning, during transfer hour
after he had received the package t
transfer it to the messenger, he raise
one of the ends of the seals with hi
penkDife, opened the end of the wrappel
took out the currency and inserted th
material prepared. He heated som
green wax and pressed it back, and ais
heated the outer portions of the seal wit
match aud pressed it back into plac
! On the way back Murphy also execute
bills Of sale and deeds of what propert
be had in Kansas 10 the express compan..
He is 50 years of age.
Utilizing the Cotton Stalk.
The following letter from the Amer