The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-08-22
HOOPER ARRAIGNED.
PRELIMINARY HEARING BEFORE
U. S. COMMITS SiONER ATKINS.

The Evidence Against Him-The Case
Postponed Until Monday for Him to
sccure Counscl-Eeleascd on Baii In the
sum of $1,000.
Yesterday afternoon. at O'Clock. Mr..
Andrew ). Hooper. who has b en- for a
number Of years lettercarrier IN TIE
Richmond post-oflice. was arraigned
before United States Commissioner
Thomas s. Atkins. on the grave charge
of robbing the United States mail.
lie was arrested the evening
before by Deputy United States Marshal
Thomas L. Ballard. on warrant sworn
out by Mr. q. Waddy Wide, postofiice
Inspector. charging bin with "unlaw-
fully sccreting. embezzling. and de-
stroying a registered letter from Philip
Morse. Of Canton. Pa, dated August
f2th. 1889. and addressed to Sarah Har-
MS. No. 9 Marshall street. west. Rich
mond. Va. containing = IN United
States currency. Intrusted 10 him Tor
delivery. and " hich came into ms 0s'
session as a letter carrier ana when
was intended TO he conveyed by the
United States mail.
The cause Of bis arrest was brought
about IN the following manner: For
some time past complaints had been re-
celved IL the POstOiiice Department m
Washington of the failure IN the deliv
cry of letters. and sometimes OF regis
tered letters. a few days ago the D.
pertinent sent Inspectors &. Waddy
Wilde and I. ID. Cogbill TO Richmond TO
examine into this matter. But five per-
sons all told knew what the Inspectors
we're here for and they were taken into
confidence. Inspector Wilde allowed
IT to be known that he was in the city
merely for the purpose of spen ling his
vacation with his family, who 1--we on
west Clay street. 1t took bat little time
TO locate the man. Last Monday a
decoy letter was placed III
the mails for delivery on Mr..
Hooper's route. 1t was placed in his
box. and he got it out with number
of other letters. He went on his de-
livery route. but the decOy letter ana
not reach its destination. Mr.. Hooper
was questioned by Inspector Wide as
TO the non-dehyery of that particular
letter. and his answers were very IN
satisfactory. lie was detained IN the
Office until the marshal arrived. Mr.
Hooper was bailed by Commissioner
Wall in the sum of $1,000 Tor bis APP
pparance Yesterday evening.
Mr.. H0opcr's house was searched
and in it was found the decoy letter
and a number of others.
When United States Commissioner
Atkins took his seat in the United
States court room. the accused was
present. accompanied by bis father.
Sir. George j. Hooper. and ms two
brothers, Messrs. George j. Hooper, Jr..
and John X. Hooper, and bis friend
and bondsman. Captain Louis Bos-
sioux. Assistant United States Atior-
ney Bristow. of Middlesex, was pres
emf for the Commonwealth. The wit
nesses. five in number, the TWO IN
spectors and three postoilice officials.
we're also present. and a few spectators.
Mr.. Hooper was asked by Cnmmis
siOner Atkins whether ne was waiting
for hisc ounsel.
Captain BDsseuX. rising. said that
Mr.. Hooper desired tOsecuie tine services
of Mr. Charles Y. Meredith and Hon.
George ID. Wise as MS counsel Boih
Of these gentlemen we're abs Mt
from the city. and therefore
Mr.. Hooper aud his friends
lad been unable to see them. lie
asked that the preliminary examination
b, 20 tponed until their services could
be gotten The Commissioner There
upon continued the case until F1day
August 30ih Mr.. Hooper was granted
1aii IN the sum of $4,000 for his appear
ance at that time.
Mr.. Hooper says that he can explain
how the letters found Ia his coat
pocket at his house came there.
The registered letter ihenOu-deliVery
of which Is tue basis Of the warrant on
g. Inch he was arrested. should have
been receipted for first ON the carrier S
book. and next ON the return receipt
card. The receipt was there, but IL ls
alleged that the signatures Of the re-
cipient who did rot receive it were
rged by the letter canier.