Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-06
A RIFLED LETTER.
Trial OF Harry d. Darby, a City Post
Once Clerk.

In the Criminal Court, Chief Justice Bing-
ham, this morning the trial of the case Of
| Harry ID. Darby. charged with violating Sec
ton 5467. Revised Statutes Of the United States,
BY breaking open a letter April 8, 1889, which
| came into his possession a clerk in the regis
try division Of the Washington post Office, was
| begun.
Mr.. Lipscomb opened the case for the gov
eminent and Gen. Darlington for the defendant,
THE TESTIMONY.
The first witness was Mr.. +. A. Walker who
| at the time stated was foreman Of the working
crew in the registry division Of the post office.
He identified a letter produced registered
| letter sent by the postmaster Mt Harpers Ferry
| to the treasurer of the United States and also
| the envelope of the special package and the ac-
| companving cards. On the Sth OF April he last
saw the defendant with Inspectors Troy aud
| Smith in the room of the assistant postmaster
| and the accused there made a statement, but
no threats or promises were made.
WHAT INSPECTOR TROY SAYS.
Thomas Troy, post Office inspector, was
called and he was asked if he had been called
upon to investigate the stealings in the Wash
ington post office.
Gen. Darlington objected to the attempt to
make his client responsible for all the stealings
| there.
The question was withdrawn and witness said
he was at the post Office that day. going there
| about o'clock and he took place under the
| stairway so as to see the clerks of the registry
! division. Defendant was there alone at the
| time. Witness then described the registered
| packages and explained the work OF Mr.. Darby
stating that he Darby had large pile of let
tiers before him. He noticed him handle a
large, thick, white letter with three seals, ad-
dressed to the treasurer. and put it back in the
pile Then he Darby took another package
and was feeling it this way describing the
| action.
Witness identified the Harper's Ferry en-
yelope and contents as the one referred to.
(The defendant noted an exception
Gen. Darlington claimed that the letter was
not set out properly in the indictment; that it
should have been set out substantially ut least
After argument the chief justice ruled that
In this case the letter sufficiently described.
Another exception was noted.
''MY GOD! MR.. TROY, YOU'VE GOT Me-"
MIR. Troy resumed, saying Mr.. Darby took
the letter from one table to another, with his
finger opened it, took the money out, counted
| it and took three $50 bills and one $40 bill and
put them In his pocket and then attempted to
seal it up again, but it would not stick. Witness
then ran to him and said: Hey! what does this
mean?' Darby looked up and said, MY God
Mr.. Troy, you've got me-" Witness took him
to the room Of the assistant postmaster. Darby
begging that he should not be exposed. When
Mr.. Smith came in witness told what had &C.
CURED and Darby said it was true. He said
first he did not know why he did it and finally
said that he had loaned out SO much money
about the Office that he wanted to get some
Of II back. He had in his pocket book several
hundred dollars-about $500. The notes,
| amounting to SO, were admitted in evidence
and exception noted.
Mr.. Walker resumed the stand and testified
that the package was received on the after
noon of April 6. He identified the money.
letter and cards, explaining that the latter
was for receipts by the postmaster and the
treasurer
TESTIMONY OF INSPECTOR SMITH.
VIM. B. smith, inspector, testified that Mr..
Darby admitted that he opened the letter, using
his fingers, and he wrote his statement after
witness had cautioned him.
The witness made the statement. which was
to the effect that he forty-nine years Of
age and had come from Ohio ten years before
and had been employed in the office nine years,
going in as a carrier; that he did open theletter
and took the money (S70) and that the money
he had in his pocket (S50O) was part of the
$500 he had brought to the city with him
The Death Record.
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