The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-31
xHE RoBBER KILLED HIMSELF.


Loses IN IL 500 Package.
SPOKANE FALLS, Dec. ao.-lspecial. 1.-THE
Northern Pacific Express Company in this city
was robbed Of 81 500 last night in most myster
ious manner. 0fbcials OF the company deny that
any robbery has occurred, but the fact TINT the
police are searching for the offender and that the
expEeas 0fficials have reported every detail
Of the robbery to the police is sufficient
contradiction Of their statements. The express
C6hcials have no clue as TO who committed the
crime, but suspect several OF their employees.
The money was IN sealed package and was TO
have been sent East on last nights train. The
package was with many other similar parcels,
and the aggregate amount contained in them
Was more than $4,000 The money was put in
the safe Of the wagon. A messenger
always accompanies the driver and takes
care that nothing ID stolen. Just as the wagon
stepped back Into the Office This Is when the
robbery II supposed TO have been committed,
but no evidence 10 obtainable that gives any
positive grounds for the belief that
oither the driver or the messenger
= implicated. The messenger noticed
Jo1lns unusual wheb be took his place In the
vshicls and Wis driven rapidly 70 the depot. No
packagcs were taken from the receptacle In the
wagon. and the loss was not noticed until the
railroad messenger. In making out his receipts.
Uncovered that one package which should con
tain 81 800 was gone.
The police were at once notified and q war
rant was issued for Charles b. Close, who is
wanted In Denver for embezzlement and for.
cory, and In several other places on various
charges, and who II known to have been here a
lew days ago
Authority to arrest w. B. Webb was tele-
gfaphed TO Coulee City, this state, and special
ofiecr was sent TO that city TO bring him back
Webb was formerly clerk In the Northern Pa
ei6e express ONCE here. and IL Is thought that
he is the guilty man. Many OF the police be-
leve that Webb is the principal and that the
amount Ia many times the sum named by the
express officials.
private dispatch received here tonight states
tAat Webb committed suicide al Coulee CITY
this evening ON learning that warrant was out
Cor his arrest
CouLxE CRY, Dec. s.-waiter D. Webb, who
Was cashier of the Northern Pacific Express
Company at Spokane Falls from May, lssa. until
last Sunday, committed suicide here this even.
ting By shooting himself through the head. He
came from Spokane Falls last night and PLAYED
cards In = saloon till morning. losing all the
UCney be had. This afternoon he began play.
- on borrowed capital, and lost $40 in two
hours.
Al $50 he rose from the card table and walked
eut into q back room. In less than a minute
from the time he left the saloon, pistol report
was heard, and the dead body OF Webb was
bund in the room, lying in pool of blood.
He was released from the employ of the COM
pany sunday by Special Agent Otto, who found
Vepb's accounts to be crooked. Webb had
wen drinking heavily the last two months, and
gambling considerably. He left Spokane Falls
Monday, arriving at this place the same even.
ing.
Today Deputy Sheriff Kearns received tele.
graphic instructions To shadow him, which be
oid, and tonight Deputy Sheriff White, OF spo.
zane county, accompanied by Otto. arrived in
CcAlee City to take charge of their prisoner, bu,
the suicide occurred just twenty minutes before
che train arrived.
Webb was nephew Of William B. Webb. now
Appointment citizen OF Tacoma and formerly
secretary Of Montana under Cieyelands admin.
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