Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-13
SUPPOSED ROBBERS.
CHARGED WITH RIFLING TIE POST
OFFICE AT ALBANY.
As Charles Becker and David Williams
They Call for Mail and are
Arrested

Shortly before o'clock yesterday
morning two young men, somewhat
weather-beeten and tough looking, walk
ed up 10 the geneal-delivery window at
the Richmond post-oiiice aud asked if
there was any mail for Charles Becker
and David Williams, saying that such
were their names. Mr.. w. T. Smoot,
Reneral-delivery clerk, suspectiug that
these were the two men wanted III the
State of New York for robberies of post
Offices, contrived 10 engage their atten-
tion aud to detaiu them for a few mo-
ments until Mr.. Wallace W. Rowe, the
assistant superintendent. went out by a
side door to hunt up an officer and found
Policeman Rex, who took the accused
into custody.
WHY ARRESTED.
On Tuesday the 9th instant Post
master Cullngworth received tele-
gram from poss-oifice inspector in
New York stating that two men travel
ling under the names given above, who
had been robbing post-offices in the
western portion OF that State, were on
their way South, and would probably
call at this Office for mail. Next day q
letter was received from Albany contain
ing y warrant for the arrest OF these par
ties, charging them with robbing the
post-oiiice at that place. The letter
stated that their right names were
Charles and William VIM that they
were desperate characters and had ope-
rated pretty largely as robbers of post
Offices, aud that the detectives were
making determined efforts to capture
them.
on THE LOOKOUT.
When this letter was received Mr.. Cul-
lingworth handed it to his assistant.
Mr. jenkins, and told him TO keep a
close lookout. Mr. Jenkins instructed
Mr. Smoot as to what steps he should
take when the supposed parties put in
an appearance, and Major Poe, Chief of
Police, was informed, 50 that an officer
might be ready. The affair was kept a
strict secret.
When the prisoners arrived yesterday
morning and inquired for mail, Mr
Smoot. after speaking TO Mr.. Rowe, de-
taned them by saying that possibly their
letters had been placed in the hands of
one OF the city carriers, aud that he
would look INTO the matter that there
were persons in Richmond by the same
names and it was necessary for him to
be particular and not give them the
wrong letters. The men waited patient
" at the window while the clerk WAS
looking for their letters, and soon Police
man Rex appeared aAd arrested them.
WHAT THEY HAD.
They were taken into the Office Of As.
sistant- Postmaster Jenkins, where the
warrant was read to them. They were
perfectly cool and appeared not at all
Disconnected When the station-house
WAS reached they were searched, and on
the person of one Was found three gold
watches, and on the other three rings
and a lot Of keys, supposed TO he Yale
lock keys, such rs are used for lock-
boxes 10 post-onices Each bad pistol.
and the two together about $40 in
money.
Postmaster Cullingworth telegraphed
the Post Office Department at Washing
ton that the two men were in custody
Deputy United States Marshal OVERLY
took charge of the prisoners and put them
IN the Henrico county jail, where they
will remain until the arrival Of an officer
from New York.
PERSONAL.
Charles VIM is about twenty years of
age, six feet high, quite stout build,
weighs about 100 pounds, gray eyes,
dark complexion, smooth face, dark hair,
and fiat nose.
William VIM is about twenty-six
years of age. six feet one or two inches,
very slim build, weighs about l45 pounds,
blue eyes, dark complexion small nous
tache, dark hair cut short, and stoops
,vbcn walking