The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-10
STOLEN MONEY TURNS UP.
THE ASSISTANT POSTMASTER AT
GRIFFIN SUSPECTED.

Packages Passing Through the Griffin
Postofice Rihsd Of Their Contents
for Months-The Work 80 Cleverly
Done as to Baf1s the inspectors.
The Accused Says He Can Easily
Prove Bis Innocence.
GRIFFIN, GA, Feb. 9.-The greatest sen
sstion ever sprung in this city developed at
a late hour this evening, and If rain had
begun pouring from a suDlit sky the people
would not have been more surprised.
For a long series of months registered
letters passing through this Office have
turned up short 10 their contents and no
clew TO the mystery could be obtained.
Last Monday, however, the postmaster at
Carrollton sent his remittance by regis
tered letter to the Atlanta postmaster,
which reached its destination just 500
sGort, aud the money was found here
yesterday. In making their remittanoes
postmasters are required 70 describe the Sc
ries OF issue, number and denomination Of
each bill inclosed, and it was by this means
that the money was discovered. AS soon as
the package was shown 10 be short Postmas-
ter Lewis of Atlanta reported the matter 70
William C. Baird, who came to this city on
Tuesday night, and calling to his assistance
ex-Inspector Capt. George c. Stewart, laid
the matter before him, with a description
of the missing money. He also furnished
the banks with similar list, with the re-
quest that they look out for it in their de-
posts.
THE MONEY TURNS UP.
Yesterday T. B. Thurman, assistant post
master, paid for some land be had purchased
from Mrs. Clara LefeYre recently, and in
the money paid was the five S20-bills miss
ing from the package addressed TO the
Atlanta office by the Carrollton postmaster.
By singular coincidence Capt Stewart
drew the deed for Mr.. Thurman and re-
ceived the money into his own hands for
which he was looking. His trained eye at
once detected it and he without hesitation no.
titled Mr.. Baird, who came down this even
ing and placed Mr.. Thurman under arrest.
Mr.. Thurman submitted quietly and while
the situation looks gloomy for him he
says that he will establish on his trial
that he drew the money and paid for the
land from the bank with the eXcep>
ton of 500, which he drew from
the office, aud which is charged to
him on the books. The friends of Mr..
Thurman hope he may be able to establish
this fact. His father is postmaster
and held the Office one term under
the Hayes administration. No man
ever discharged the duties of
his Office more satisfactorily than he, while
his son has always given entire satisfaction
as assistant aud was considered thoroughly
honest. Young Thurman attended strictly
TO his business, was economical and had
saved good deal of money. He has a wife
and several small children. Inspector
Baird says his case is good one and there
is no way for the young man to get out Of
it. He considers it good catch, in that
the work has always been SO cleverly done
that no signs Of tampering could be
detected, and for a long time he thought the
work was done by clerk in the Atlanta Of
fee, who was arrested a few weeks ago.
Young Thurman gave bond in the sum of
81, ZOO. He is with his family pending
commitment trial next Monday.