Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-14
CAUGHT THE CABBY.
William Eckerts' Scheme for Rails
ing Money Brought to an End
BY AN ASTONISHED CLERGYMAN.
The Coachee Gets Away and Plays the
Races With Success.
AGoOD TINE BROUGHT TO- 0AsUDDEN END

For some time past Alderman Beinhauer,
of the Southside, has had warrant in the
hands of his constable for the arrest of Will
lam Eckert a cab driver for John D..
Schaub, who operates the Allentown livery
stable in Allentown. Mr.. Schaub charged
Eckert with embezzlement about two months
ago before Alderman Beinhauer, who issued
warrant for his arrest.
Eichert's modus operandi was so open
that it is surprising how long he con-
ducted it without discovery. Mr. Schaub
has very extensive business in the car
riage hire line with the residents Of Allen
town, and had standing accounts with a
number Of his patrons. who made settle
ments every three or four months.
Among his patrons was Rev. j..
Fisher, of st. Paups Catholic
Church, Mt. Oliver, who exposed Eckert's
methods. When the time came for the set
tlement of his carriage hire, Mr.. Schaub
presented his bill for payment. The clergy
man was surprised to learn that he was in
debted to Schaub for carriage hire, as he
had paid Eckert every time he had occasion
to use the carriage, and stated that Eckert
had given him notice about two months ago
that thereafter the business would be con-
Quoted on a cash basis.
PocKETED THE PROCEEDS.
The priest never thought for a moment
that there was anything wrong, and in the
two dozen or so occasions he used the car
riage, the charges were paid to the driver,
who pocketed the receipts and never made
any return to his employer. Mr.. Schaub's
absence from his place of business the
greater portion of the time prevented him
from discovering Eckert's appropriations.
Eckert's distractions were not confined to
one party, but numerous other people were
presented with bills for carriages which
they had paid for long before. In summing
up the whole thing it was found that in
about two months Eckert had secured
several hundred dollars in this way.
Another man named Edgar was requested
to make settlement for using carriages, and
it was learned that he also had paid for the
service each time.
Upon inquiring among his customers,
Mr.. Schaub found that the same state of
affairs existed everywhere he went to col
lect his bills. He said nothing about it to
Eckert, and sent him to drive Rev. Mr..
Fisher one day about two months ago, and
when he returned, his employer asked if he
had been paid for the service. Eckert re-
Piled in the negative, and Mr.. Schaub then
had a warrant issued for his arrest, but in
some way Eckert was informed that the
game was up with him, and quietly left
town.
PLAYING THE RACES.
Eckert's whereabouts remained mystery
until few days ago it was learned he was
in Butler. A detective was sent there, and
found him attending the races at that place,
betting money on the events without stint
with varying success. His movements were
closely watched, but on the last dav OF the
races he eluded the officers, not, however,
until he had made a large stake on the
races.
The police lost track of Eckert for a
week or two, until last night, when Consta-
BILE Longenbaker espied him on Carson
street, under the influence of liquor. 1t
appears that Eckert saw that his capture
was inevitable, and 1t was only a question
OF short time until he would be behind
the bars, and soliloquizing thus, he pro-
ceeded to make the most of his time, in
which Constable Langenbaker said
he was succeeding admirably. 1t was
learned that number of saloons
on Carson street were visited
by Eckert during the evening. and in every
place he went nothing was too fine for him,
and displayed large wad of greenbacks,
presumably won at the Butler races.
In one place visited by Eckert the bar
tender said that he came staggering in and
demanded the best the house afforded, stat
ing in an incoherent voice that he had the
money to pay for it.
wanted 1t regardless of cost.
EcKERT WAS IN IT.
In this condition Constable Langenbaker
found Eckert staggering down Carson
street, taking up the whole sidewalk, -four
ishing a number of bank notes in his hands
and exclaiming in loud tones. that he was
Gin it." At the corner of Twelfth street
the Constable seized his man and
took him before Alderman Beiphauer,
who committed him to Jail imme-
diately where he now languishes
and will be unable to be sin it" for some
time. Constable Langenbaker said that
Eckert was having good time in every
sense Of the word, and was sorry to bring
his sport to such an abrupt termination, but
duty compelled him.
Since Eckert's embezzlement was dis
covered other liverymen have placed strict
surveillance on their drivers.
1t now develops that the hackmen on this
side of the river having been getting it in
on their employers by carrying parties with
out their knowledge, but way to prevent
any more of it has been found. The firms
n L 81
ploy trusted man to look after their in
terest. Heretofore cabmen were relied upon
to make returns for what their vehicles
earned while on the street, but the
liverymen, on learning of the above case
took this precaution, and in the future, they
will miss no chances.
Liveryman Schaub states that he will