Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-08-21
SHIPMENTS OF MONEY.
Thousands of Dollars Safely Han.
died for Years.

ulDu TOT ohIhs
The down trip OF the NJ, X. & +.
pay-car Tuesday morning and the re-
cent robbery Of the Pacific express car
at Otteryille turned the conversation
at the Frisco depot upon the subject OF
money in transit and several interest
ing anecdotes were related. A few
years ago all the Adams express mat
ter for Texas was brought by the Fris-
co to this place where transfer was
made to the Pacific company. The re-
suit was that during the cotton season
and also along in the summer months
when the cattle were going to market,
vast sums OF money passed over this
route and through the hands OF the two
Vinita agents. Packages OF few
thousand dollars were turned over al
most daily, while sums OF $4,000 and
upwards were disposed of weekly.
On one occasion Bert Walker took
$4,000 (more money than he ever ex-
poets to be WORTH under his arm and
carried il over TO Frank Decker, who
was then the Pacilc's agent. This
package was put for safe keeping. not
into the sale, but was thrown into the
bottom Of the coupon ticket case.
At that time the transfer from one
depot to the other was generally
made along towards evening and fire.
quently between the arrival OF the
Frisco and the transfer, an hour or two
would pass with not . soul about the
depot but the agent. That robbery
was not even attempted during all
those years seems next to a miracle,
for an agent could have been oyerpow-
cred and gagged and start of several
miles secured most any time, before
the affair was discovered. Then again,
the greatest penalty possible under the
law as ii existed then was but years
Imprisonment. The probability Of
such an occurrence was often dis
cussed, but because of the frequency Of
"big runs" no extra precautions were
taken.
On one occasion there was a large
amount OF silver to be brought out
and owing to the bulk, it would not 60
into the safe, so the messenger threw
the sacks into the coal box. In some
manner sack containing $1,000 was
lost and after careful search the ex-
press officials came to the conclusion
it had been stolen. The messenger
had seen, TO him, a stranger in
the car lit was at the time the express
and baggage was carried in the same
carr and gave a description of the m an
as the person who had probably got
the thousand dollars. One day short
ly after Route Agent Barrett happened
to meet Harry Hall, of Tulsa, and not
ing how nearly he corresponded with
the description, asked if he was not n
the express car that particular trip.
Harry said he was; that he and
friend went in and got drink Of wa
ter. Then the agent laughed and told
him the Pinkertons were searching
high and low for him. This episode
exploded that clue which was proba-
bly, the only one extant, for the 81 900
package was never heard of.
AS is well known, money in transit by
express is at the risk Of the company.
Not so, however, with the mails, for
even though registered the govern
ment assumes no responsibility what
ever it simply promises extra precau-
tions and care. In spite of this lack
of security or assurance. large amounts
are not infrequently dispatched in this
manner. A few months ago Postal
Clerk Woodland, OF the Monett and sa-
pulpa car, carried register contain
ing over $4,000 and but short time
ago @, A. Fisher, Of the same line,
brought out $4,000