The evening world., 1890-03-15
CAUGHT ROBB|NG The MAIL.
Train Porter Hogan, Who Stole
Bushels Of Jewelry.
Extent Of His Thefts Unknown
Much Property Recovered.

Postal inspectors who have for six
months been searching for the thief at
Grand Central Depot, who has robbed
more than 1000 packages of jewelry sent
in the mails from Eastern houses to
Chicago dealers, congratulate themselves
to-day on q very clever piece Of work.
Timothy j. Hogan, q good looking,
self-possessed young man. is locked up IN
the Ludlow street Jail. He wa employed
as porter on the Boston express train.
which brings the Springfield and Boston
Western mail to this city, where 1t Is
transferred TO the regular White fast mail
train bound for Chicago.
The mail often includes large packages
of valuable iewelry consigned from Prov
idence. Attleboro and Springfield to Chi
cage firms. On account Of his position as
train porter. Hogan had access to tho
mail-car IN its way to this city. He OBJ
tanned this position about six months ago,
and within q month thereafter complaint
after complaint poured into the Post
Office Inspector from points between here
and Chicago Of the loss of valuable mr.
ticles Of jewelry out of the packages ad-
dressed to the Western houses.
In some cases whole packages Of dia-
monds, rings and watches were taken.
Not less han o thousand complaints of
losses from the mail train were made, and
still the thief was not caught.
The Post Office authorities ct WaahinR-
ton placed their keenest detectives on the
case. They could not get Q clue. Every
mail train carried O Post Office Inspector
extra. Chicago had men out, too, and 30
did New York. Springfield and Boston.
II was Inspectors Harris and Stoddard, Of
the latter city. who finally caught the
thief red-handed yesterday morning.
The inspectors were concealed IN the
Grand Central depot they did not leave
their hiding place. For hours they waited.
They were sure that the thefts were not
committed en- route from Boston TO this
city. and were finally about to emerge
from their place 'of concealment when
Hogan walked into the car, whistling, and
with q broom In his hand began to sweep
She's my Annie. I'm her Joe." he
gaily hummed as he selected q big
package of watches and chains with
diamond pendants. Quietly undoing the
package he helped himself literally TO
the glittering valuables and then tied the
package up so that NO casual observer
would ever notice that It had been I'M
done.
Soon we'll marry. never to part" he
was singing, when the Inspector jumped
out and Stoddard cody remarked
Your wedding day will be deferred.
Hogan. Give mp that jewelry."
Seeing that he wa cornered, the thief
unloaded. Every pocket of bis working
clothes held more or less iewelry. He
laughed indifferently when Harris was
forced TO remark. well. you're q hog"
Hogan's home Is in Boston. but he had
O furnished oom in this city. where he
stored his plumber. The Inspector will
not make known the address yet. They
made Hogan take them to the place, and
Of every sort OF jewelry and all Of the
best material.
The inspectors took the prisoner and
his booty down to the Post-0fice Build
ing and arraigned him before United
States Commissioner Shields.
Hogan pleaded guilty to the charge of
robbing h mails, n was held In %, 900
bail to await the action of the Grand
"Csn you get bail" the Commissioners
YES; but / won't try. / don't want
MY friends 10 know OF my predicament,"
he answered.
Hogan is about twenty-five years old,
and refused TO say whether he Is married
or single, or 10 give his address.
The stolen property recovered does not
representa- tithe OF what has been stolen,
and the POEt-Ofics authorities "
anxious TO keep the case IS quiet - they
can until they can locate the rest OF IL.
Hogan declares that he had no oonfed-
crates. He will be kept In Ludlow Street
Jail until the Grand Jury act upon his
case. There is no doubt Of his conVic-
ton, even il he does not plead guilty.
The authorities think the case will be
pushed so that Hogan will be aFraigned
for sentence some day next week. He
has hitherto borne an irreproachable
character.
Inspectors Harris and StoddArd re-
turned to Boston to-day, but will come
back here Monday and make 3 full report
Of Hogan's big steal.