The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1894-07-26
UNDER ARREST.
Letter Carrier Fred ingham In tho Tells
For Taking Money Out Of Lstters-A Sad
Case OF Departure From Reetitudo.

Letter Carrier Fred inghsm In tho Tells
For Taking Money Out Of Lstters-A Sad
Case Of Departure From Reetitude.
Quite sensation was created yester-
day, and much regret was expressed on
all sides, over the sad news that Letter
Carrier Fred Ingham, one OF the best
known and trusted letter carriers of
this city, had been arrested. charged
with robbing the United States malls.
Mr.. lngham has heretofore borne good
character and hns had many staunch
friends, being OF a kindly, genial and
friendly nature, and guy, accommo-
dating, rs well rs efficient, public serv-
ant. There was much surprise In the
postoffice when the news came out.
For several weeks past there have
been complaints from people living In
the territory through which Ingham de-
livers and collects letters. These COM
plants were received by Postmaster
Beach. Most OF the compliments have
been persons who claimed 10 have sent
letters containing money which had not
been received by the persons to whom
they were addressed.
Postmaster Beach wrote Inspector
Boynton OF Boston, who Is in charge of
this district, and Tuesday evening In
spector Parhan arrived here deter
mined to ascertain the cause Of the
trouble.
Thara yara cirouneton,aa which
pointed to the conclusion that the street
boxes were being robbed. There were
some suspicious that they were being
robbed by Carrier Ingham. Inspector
Parhan was acquainted with these cir
cumstances and suspicious and imme-
diately set to work ferretting out the
cause Of the trouble.
After having Ingham pointed out to
him, and learning the location OF the
boxes on his route, Inspector Parhan
prepared test" letter. This letter
was addressed to the Chicago Portrait
company, and III 1t was enclosed q
marked 81 bill. Ingham's route in
cludes a part Of Howard avenue and
Columbus avenue, Rosette, Washington
and Button streets. The letter was
dropped into the box at the corner OF
Hurlburt and Rosette streets.
Inspector Parhan waited around the
vicinity Of the box until Ingham col
lected the mail, then opened the box to
see If the letter had been taken. Ing
ham had taken the letter all right, but
when he turned in his collection to be
sorted it could not be found.
1t was evident that the trouble had
been located. When Ingham came In
Superintendent of Letter Carriers
Rowe told him that Postmaster Beach
wanted him. and he was taken into a
private room in the postoffice building.
Ingham put on bold front and ex-
pressed the opinion that, he was being
outrageously treated. He was asked
point blank by the inspector If he had
taken any letters from the boxes. He
Indignantly denied ever having done
of the kind. He was then ask
ed to turn out the contents Of his pock-
cts. Keeping up the bluff, he said he
was perfectly willing to do this. and
turned out the pockets Of his coat and
vest. This was all, he said. but the in
spector was not satisfied with that,
and proceeded to search him.
In the hip pocket Of his trousers was
found the envelope of the test" letter.
Inspector Parhan questioned him
about this, and then he broke down
completely, admitting his guilt. In this
pocket, also, was found the wrapper Of
a small box of which inquiry had been
made at the local Office, the box never
having reached its destination.
Mr. Ingham resides at 203 Edgewood
avenue. He began duty in the postof-
flee service as carrier in 1868 in Mr..
Sperry's first term, and served in that
line until the administration of B. r.
English, when he. with several other
employees, was discharged. When Mr..
Sperry came into the postofflce for the
second time in 1890, Ingham was ap-
pointed temporary janitor, and on May
IA Of that year was appointed carrier,
having taken civil service examina-
ton, and has remained until the pres
ent time. When Mr.. Ingham was re-
moved by Mr.. English, it was UNDER
stood to have been the cause, although
no charges were preferred. There was
considerable opposition that arose from
his removal among his republican
friends.
There have been only two or three
letters missing from Ingham's route
and the loss Of money above that which
was taken to-day, is not over So. The
letter that was sent by the inspector
was mailed in a box on Rosette street.
Ingham was arrested by Deputy Mar
shall Loveridge and was arraigned be-
fore United States Commissioner
Wright in the afternoon, but waived
examination. The bond was fixed at
$500. The penalty for stealing a letter
from the mails is from one to five years
Ingham was taken to Jail, where he
exhibited signs Of great mental dis
tress, expressing the deepest sorrow
and concern in behalf Of his wife and
on whom the blow falls with
effect.
Postmaster Beach, in speaking Of
Ingham, said that he had always con-
sidered him an efficient carrier, and
that he felt very sorry that he had
fallen after so many years Of service in
the department.
LEFTA FORTUNE. Mi