Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-24
A CELEBRATED CASE.
How a Bond Robbery Was Perpe-
petrated and the Thief Captured.
A REAL DETECTIVE STORY.
How q Trusted Treasury Clerk Fell
His Ingenious Method Of Defrauding
the GOvernment-The WAY He Was
Tracked by Detectives and Captured.
N NITED STATES vs.. WALLACE w.
WHITTLESEY.

NllED SIAIES vs.. WALLACE W.
LIZ wHIrTLEsEY.
EAk One day in March. 1866 the docket
NS VI Of the Criminal Court contained the
W above case and thereby hangs a tale
Inc Whittlesey case was q famous one at the
time and involved an attempt en- clos, 600 worth
Of government bonds, considerable more than
most people carry around except on salary
day.
Jim McDevitt, the well-known Warrington
detective, was the main instrument in making
it possible for the case to be on the docket OF
the Criminal Court that snappy day in March
1866, when most people were thinking Of re-
construction, or q spring overcoat, or, in
short, Of anything except such sums al
S108, 900.
TRUSTED CLERK.
Whittlesey in 1865 was one Of the clerks in
the Treasury Department. popular with his
fellow-clerks and trusted to an extraordinary
degree by his superiors. His popularity, to a
large extent, probably caused his downfall.
Practically entirely in his charge was the pay
ing off of the United States bond coupons,
which were sent in by mail.
Whittlesey at this time, living beyond his
means, spending considerable sums in nightly
dissipations, having young wife whose beauty
WAS recognized by all and whose Extravaganza
kept pace with his own, naturally in very
short time felt pressing need for fresh
supply Of the sinews of war. His first plan was
to obtain what might be called loans from the
government.
The scheme was simple in execution, but
decidedly difficult of detection. On every
coupon from o., 900 bond which came in $50
in gold, which was considerably above par, was
IN hA raid nnl1 fnka ha
which arrived, for instance on Monday, cash
them and appropriate the money to his own
uses; when another accumulation had arrived
he would likewise change them into gold and
pay off the Mondays lot
This brilliant little plan was carried on for
some time, the young man getting more and
more behind in his payments, until at last a
crash and disgraceful exposure stood staring
the trusted and respected clerk in the face.
DESPERATE MOVE.
The end Of the borrowing business having
been reached, Whittlesey determined to grasp
rs much as possible and depart. no doubt, al
he hoped for an indefinite period.
A large number Of fresh bonds had just been
issued, many OF them TO replace old ones. The
waiting man watched his opportunity, and
when, as he thought, the bonds were COM
pleted, considered the time to strike had ar
rived. Whittlesey asked for a leave of alb
sence. which was freely granted. Stepping
Immediately from his chiefs room he picked
up a basket containing the new bonds and
calmly walked Off
"A brilliant scheme!
"A fortune gained,
''No more desk work.
''One hundred and eight government bonds.
Ion with You, communication is not very
easy!
''Sell them in lots. each one is worth 81, O0O
'Whlttlesey, you are made man,
SOME MIsCALCULATIoNs.
Fortune, however, is q young lady, and just
at this point she showed how tickle she could
be when she tried real hard. After having
smiled for some time in her sweetest manner
on the now flying man she had just Tilted him
in the harshest manner.
The body Of the bonds were incomplete,
signatures were still wanted to allow them to
pass the scrutinizing eye of a buyer; but wait,
something il stall secured from the wreck. The
coupons, at any rate, are entirely finished and
at all events can be sold. A small matter COM
pared to tie fortune he had hoped for, but still
not to be overlooked.
INVESTIGATING THE CRIME.
In the meantime the loss had been discov-
cred at the treasury and prompt measures
taken. No one as yet suspected Whittlesey.
He, of course, was spending his leave at some
quiet country nook. jim McDevltt and his
partner at that time, John W. Clarvoe, were
called in on the case. The two men went
vigorously to work, but for time no trace
could be found. At length coupons from the
missing bonds commenced to come to the de-
partment to be cashed. These coupons usually
came from banks in and around New York.
TRACING THE COUPONS.
As soon as a coupon Of this description ar
rived at the department, one or the other OF
the detectives would start ON the often difficult
-
Shortly after this the Treasury officials re-
ceived another scare. Two coupons arrived at
the department bearing the same number.
This was serious matter, az 1t was at once
thought that perfect counterfeit was being
issued. Finally, however, it was discovered to
be another expedient of the mysterious stealer
of los unfinished bonds.
The numbers Of the stolen bonds had been
sent to all banks and the thief, whoever he
was, now found difficulty in disposing Of the
coupons. He had found it necessary to change
the numbers, and this had been done in q very
his possession the figure appeared he had by
judicious application Of acids erased the
angle and left the figure l.
The two detectives by this time had obtained
by quick jumps from place to place very fair
description Of Whittlesey the seller Of the
man they were after the only question was to
catch him, but this was q hard matter and re-
quired shrewd and skillful detective trick.
A will-o'the-wisp was an easy matter to trace
compared with the seller of those coupons.
AT wHIrTLEsEYs HOME
Whittlesey's wife had remained quietly at
home in this city and az far az could be learned
had no communication with her husband.
Finally, however, she advertised the furniture
in the house in which she was living, on G
street, opposite the Patent Office, as for sale.
This was thought to be move toward joining
the missing man, and it was determined to
make new move on the enemies works. Clar-
voc called on Mrs. Whittlesey as a possible pur-
chaser of the furniture. He expressed the
greatest delight with the whole outfit, but re-
marked that AZ she was q married woman it
would be necessary OF course to deal with her
husband. Mrs. Whittlesey replied that in that
case he could never buy the furniture, as che
GOLDEN BAIT.
The first effort in the way Of securing infor-
nation from the wife was therefore q dismal
failure. McDevirt, however, had another
string to his bow and proceeded to draw il.
A package was fixed up, the length and breadth
OF Treasury note, and sealed in an official
envelope. The package was addressed to w.
w. Whittlesey at his home ON G street. Nc
guised himself and called at the house as il to
deliver the package. Mrs. Whittlesey came to
the door, said the package was for her husband
and offered to receipt for it McDeyitt replied
that such thing was out Of the question. the
package must be receipted for by the party to
whom addressed. Mrs. Whittlesey told the old
story concerning her husband, and asked What
would become Of the package. "It will be re-
turned to the sender" said the Willy detective.
az Iorh ntain md L.