Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-06-16

rhia Savings Fund Society, Seventh and
Walnut streets Philadelphia. 1t was dated
April 25th 1892.
Irhe signature marked [Bl is fac smile
~ Chief Black burns signature on war
rant dated February 9th last, for the arrest
~ George Chippey, colored charged with
rambling
Erhe signature marked rel is fac simie
81 the chiefs signature to u warrant dated
Hpril 9th, 1892 (same month as the bank
Neposit book signatllre) for the arrest of
Hhomas Fahey, charged with disordcrly
conduct
III THE LEADING TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.
Is the signature discovered by Detectives
Wish and McVey on the registry book of
the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society
Ishat of Chief of Police William j. Black
-9,pn of Wilmington, and is Chief Black
j. Jun guilty of receiving money from the
v amblers of this city for police protection?
k These are the questions that have been
IL foYounded during the past few days in
-Hi5city In fact very little else is talked
@ bout on the street, and in public places
It knere men are accustomed to congrcgate
IS nddiscuss the different topics of the day
;. Whing that has happened iii official
ir(les for years has caused a bigger
I<nsation than the report Of the finding Of
the tell-tale bank deposit book on Gambler
rfroud Tuesday week, and the develop
menus subsequent to the discovery of that
hook. The news of the affair came like a
clan of thunder from clear sky, and
aipce its publication scarcely anything
else is discussed throughout the city.
Wlhe revelations made at the institution
81 the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society
in Philadelphia yesterday week. when the
acknowledged signatures of Chief Black
bnrn were compared with the mysterious
Inn I'm III nj # IN
society and found to be strikingly similar
in the minutest detail were regarded as
eignilicantly suspicious by those who saw
the remarkable resemblance.
A prominent Republican, and one who
Bands very near to the present police adj
ministration, inasmuch as the appoint
incnt of several of its members are due to
his influence, stood and ga2ed long and
carefully at the bulletin board in front of
livery Evening Building Wednesday, on
Which the news WAS posted. After a care
full perusal Of the bulletin the citizen
walked slowly away. retiectiyely remark
ing to friend passing along, who had
aso stopped to learn the contents of the
bulletin board: II never thought il would
come to this; yet it looks very bad for
Mn"
Ifrhs is but sample of the opinions ex,
MESSED by prominent Republicans and
democrats alike, and it is but mild state
ncnt of wel-known fact to say that the
ulilk of public opinion is far from favor
able towards Chief OF Police blackburn,
md demands rigid Investigation oil the
ntire transaction, from beginning to end.
III THE VISIT TO rnlLApELruiA.
il Detectives Witsil and Mcvey yesterday
meek returned from Philadelphia,
inter- making an investig CATION OF the sig
nature found upon the registry book Of
NC Savings Fund Society in the presence
W Chief Blackburn, Detective Wilsil
IND gone up on an early train, ana MAS
1Qined by Detective McVey at the bank of
Ne society between 10 and II O'Clock.
WcNey was standing outside the bank
Wien Chief Of Police Blackburn put in an
appearance. Detective Witsil at this time
vas talking to an official inside the bank.
although Detective llatton accompanied
Ehlef Blackburn to Philadelphia lie did
nW put III an appearance at the bank until
We investigation was over.
l@.& EXAMINING THE SIGNATURE
When Chief Blackburn and Detective
MtNey entered the bank Detective Witsil
WIS talking to the treasurer of the insttu-
'itinn in the latters private Office. The
official then stepped TO the window and
being informed that the person he was adj
Messing was chief blackburn, asked him
mi he had any objection TO the detective ex-
Hnning the signature "Wm. j.. Black
Nnrn' IN the signature book. The chief
&ld he had not aud the detective and the
phief were then ushered into Il private
toom and the signature book sent for The
Neasurer turned TO the signature OF Vim.
~ Black burn, police officer, Wilmington,
n lpel., and Emily b." and at the same
Mime Detective Witsil drew from his
Rocket the four warrants bearing Black
\ urn's officials signature and issued by the
Jerk of the municipal court in this city.
Thc chief was shown the signature and
laid
"yEs, THAT'S MY SIGNATURE,
but didn't write it. 1t looks very much
Ike my writing"
detective McVey then asked: "IIave
pu any objection, in case it requires a
prther Investigation, TO allow an eN pert TO
me here and examine the signature on
re book"
|.tThe chief said he would have to see
YNE ut that and would like tn be present
rWn the signature was examined by an
Sat. The treasurer of the society then
A. tohim to send note Of approval when
III hkpert got realty to examine the book.
k.N pre- leaving Detective Witsil took a
cohf the siRnature i'll the bank book,