The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-14
GOVERNMENT MONEY STOLEN.
Fifteen Hundred Dollars in Silver Abstracted
i'm Mysterious Manner.


i'm a Mysterious Manner.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13-Some irregularity
has been discovered in connection with the
transfer of silver dollars from the mint at New
Orleans to Washington for storage IN the large
new vault in the courtyard of the Treasury
building, which has resulted in the less Of 800
The loss was discovered last week, but did not
become known outside the department until to-
day Treasury officials refuss to speak of the
matter, and very little is known beyond the
facts already stated. The silver was shipped by
Adams Express Company, and the loss will
probably fall upon it, unless IL can be proved
that the packages containing the money were
tempered with before they came into its posses
sion The money was shipped in wooden boxes
containining two canvass bags, with 81 900
in each bag The boxes are carefully
sealed before they leave the mint for
delivery TO the express company and are care
fully guarded from that time until their delivery
at the II easury. They are therefore under sur
veillance from the time they leave the mint un-
til they are delivered to the agents OF the United
States treasury. The shipments average $780,,
600 day and the silver already placed in the
vault amounts 20 over $3O,OOO,uOO. All this
coin was brought from Philadelphia and New
Orleans, but mostly from Philadelphia. The
shipments from New Orleans were begun only
few weeks ago, and it is In these that the dis
crepancy occurred. So far "a known only two
boxes we're tempered with. In one OF them the
entire contents of one bag, amounting to $1,000,
were removed and replaced With bird shot. In
the Other box only about half the contents OF
one Of the bags, or about $500, was taken, and
shot and pieces Of lead were substituted
The robbery was not discovered until the bags
were weighed at the treasury. The scales used
in weighing the silver overbslanced when these
bags were placed on them, and hurried exami-
nation of their contents disclosed the fraud
which had been perpetrated. These bags were
part OF different consignments. and are believed
to be all that have been robbed. The agent OF
the express company was at once notified and
the treasury naturally refused to accept the
bags. treasury official who knows says the
loss, no far, does not exceed the amount stated,
$1,000, and that the responsibility for it rests
entirely between the express company and the
officer at New Orleans who handled these par
.icular boxes The matter has been in the hands
OF the United States secret service officers aud
the detectives of the company for nearly week,
but. &c Ear as known. 10 much a mystery now
as it was the day the robbery was discovered.
The President RENTS n Boys Sentences.
WASHINGTON, Nov 13-Cadet Trabor Nor
man, fourth class United States Military Acade-
my. has been found guilty by court martial Of
knowingly making false statement to his su-
perior officer, and sentenced to dismissal from
been discovered visiting in cadet barracks, false
ly stated that he had permission from the officer
in charge TO make the visit for the purpose of
getting an algebra. The proceedings having
been submitted to the President, he Endorsed
them as follows: "This cadet, at the time OF
the commission OF the offsnse of which he has
been convicted, had been in the military
academy but very short time, and
can easily that the sudcenness
with which he was called upon to exouerate
himself from q violation of rules, and the lack Of
quick appreciation Of the grave fault of an.
| truthfulness. presented a temptation which II
| was difficult for him to resist. absolute truth
fulness is a necessary element of manly char
acter and an infallible test of genuine soldierly
| disposition. While, therefore, those attending
| our military academy should distinctly under
| stand that. while wilful lying and prevarica
ticn will not be tolerated under tie discipline
adopted for their regulation. STILL in view Of all
| the facts surrounding this particular case, and
in consideration of the certificates of the cadets
good character which have been presented tc
| me and the punishment he has already suffered
| have determined to remit the sentence of the
courtmartial Diminishing Cadet Trabor Norman
| from the service Of the United States"