The morning call., 1893-05-22
ROBBED THE MAIL.
Mortimer Fox Run Down
in Seattle.
A Berkeley Boy Pleads Guilty to
RObbing the Seattle POStoffice.
An Old Offender.

Mortimer Fox, otherwise known as
Motto Fox. the son of worthy parents re-
siding in Berkeley, is now in the custody
of United States officials al Seattle charged
with a serious offense.
In January last two boxes in the Seattle
postoffice were broken into and robbed of
their contents. and certain drafts and
checks which were taken were subse-
Quently paid on forged Endorsements.
About two weeks ago another box in
the same Office was rifled of its contents
and efforts were made by the thief to cash
check and express order that he secured,
but without success. as the bank and ex-
press agent had been warned. Through
some ones stupidity he was permitted 10
escape and he at once left the city.
His description was secured, and as ii
correspondent with that of Motto Fox the
officers al Seattle were furnished with in
formation from this city that resulted in
his capture. He was known in Seattle as
j. NJ. Meyers, alias |. Conn.
telegram received from Seattle yester-
day morning states that Fox admits his
guilt and will plead guilty in the hope that
he will receive light sentence.
Fox is about 81 years of age and has
proven himself one of the most persistent
young criminals that this State has pro-
duced. When only is years of age he be-
gan in this city the robbery of hallway
letter-boxes, securing many letters con-
tanning checks ana drafts. Forging the
latter he would boldly present them at
bank. His boldness and youthful appear
ance resulted in nearly every case in the
payment of the forged paper.
He usually pretended great ignorance
and indifference regarding the checks or
drafts. stating that he was only the office
boy. Such conduct would deceive the
most careful bank clerks. After securing
several hundred dollars in this way he
was arrested in 1885 and upon conviction
was sentenced To two years Imprisonment
in the House of Correction.
he failed to profit by the lesson, how
ever. and soon after his release complaints
began 10 reach the postal authorities that
hallway letter-boxes were again being
robbed and banks victimized by the pay
meDt OF forged checks and drafts.
The handiwork of young Fox in that
work was recognized by Detectives Bee
aud Harper, but not until he had gathered
in about $500 and left the city. In one
case Fox secured S625 from the Oakland
Bank of Savings on forged Endorsements.
The bank first refused payment without
Identification, but subsequently, paid the
money when the draft was presented bear
ing the Endorsement of a well-known citi-
zen, which also proved to be forgery
Fox was finally located at Omaha, Nebr.
and brought back by Police Officer Sulfi-
van. WITH his ili-gOtten gains he was en-
abled to make a strong fight for release
and had it not been for the Federal
authorities he would have been discharged
from custody. Later Fox was indicted by
the United States Grand Jury and given
into the custody of Marshal Long
After few weeks in Jail a bond in the
sum OF $1,000 was furnished by his parents,
but Immediately upon his release he was
arrested upon the charge of forgery CON-
mitted in Alameda County.
In December last his case was tried In
Oakland. and upon some techn icality the
proceedings were dismissed and he was
given his liberty. He Immediately disap-
peared from the city.
A case is still pending against him in
the United States Court in this city, and it
is expected that after the Washington
authorities get through with him he will
be brought here to answer for his local
miSaaads