The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-21
ROBBED HIS ROOMMATE.
a Savannah Drummer Victimized by
a Chance Acquaintance.

1 a E6E6ul2l ~
q Chance Acquaintance
Samuel Oppenheimer Of this city was the
victim Of an ingeuiously planned robbery
at the Florida house, in Fernandina, last
week. Oppsuheirner was making trip
through Florida representing mis- firm. On
the train from Jacksonville to Fernandina
he me: J. D. Morgan, man Of about 90,
who, when be learned that OppenheimeT
was gcing to Fernandina, said that he was
representing d. T. Godfrey & Co., COM
mission merchants of New York and
gave him the business card Of this company
with his name written on the back, stating
that lie was going 10 Fernandina to get
rates on vegetables from the Mallory steam
ship lire. At Fernandina they took room
together, where they spent Sunday aud
Monday nights. Or retiring, Oppenheimer
put lis purse and watch under his pillow,
which called forth the remark from Nor
gan that That is very good plan, which /
myself follow, .as no one can get it without
waking Tne.n
The next morning Morgan rose first and
remarked: by Jove! some one has been
here and stolen my purse Oppenheimer
jumpei up and found his clothes on the
floor, he had placed them the night before
on t9e table, nothing in the pockets having
been disturbed. Morgan's papers. however,
were lying about where they had been taken
from ais pocket Later on, looking out
on the piazza they found the purses
oren and empty. When they dressed,
Morgan, on pulling q bill cut Of his
pocket remarked, They have left me S."
and offered to share it with Oppenheimer,
which the latter declined to accept. They
both walked down town together, and on
seeing tie chief of police crossed over to
meet him, when Morgan told the chief that
he had been robbed Of S27 and some ceuts,
and that il he could get any clsw TO the rob
Der to let him kaow at jacksonville, where
ne was going. Morgan paid his bill
at the Florida house. which was So, leay-
ing him So which, he said, was all he had,
and again offered Oppenheimer half of it,
which at last was accepted. Morgan said
that as ne knew the conductor he could get
passed TO Baldwin and would get from there
70 Jacksonville, where he had money in
bank, aud would then send a check TO
Oppenheimer to help him out of his little
difficulty. Oppenheimer had in his purse
eleven s. bills and 81 60 in silver. When
Morgan left ON the train Oppenheimer in
quired at the Mallory line Office if Morgan
had called TO get rates on vegetables and
was Informed that no such man had been
there.
Early on the morning that Morgan and
Oppenheiner were at the Florida house an
open, and looking in saw Morgan at the
window in bis underclothes.
When the train left, ,,Chief Of Police Hill,
suspicioning Morgan, asked the conductor
to wire him TO what point Morgan paid
fare, and if he paid cash, and received an
swer, morgan cash fare TO Baldwin"
Benjamin L. Bugg, agent Of the Florida
Central and Peninsular at Callahan, under
an order from Sheriff O'Neill, arrested Nor
gan. On being arrested, Morgan said his
name was not Morgan, but Postell, from
Savannah. He accounted for having money
TO pay his fare by saying that he sold a
ring, for which he paid 81 so, TO a stout
man on the train soon after leaving
Shortly after his arrest at Callahan, Nor
gan asked Mr. Bugg to be shown
to closet. A young man was sent
with him, and as they were gone some
time, the agent questioned the young man
on their return as to whether Morgan had
been out of his sight, and found that he had
shut the door Of the closet, the young man
standing outside, and lad pulled off his
saoe. complaining that it hurt his corDs. A
search was made and in crack between the
floor and theBiding nine s. bills,were found.
Morgan is now IN jail In Fernandina.