The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-16
\ THE ROANOKE TIMES, TUESDAY, ApRlL ~. Isg5.

the train either in Bridgeport or New
York, and all that found which
might have thrown light on tho rob.
berry was that three men had bought
tickets for New York on the last train
from New Haven. which left soon after
the Boston express had passed through.
NO ono had got on the train ut Bridge
port, or at least no one was seen to.
anG it was my notion that the thieves
started from New York after receiving
tip from some railroad man who was
familiar with the running of the OK
press car. l came to this CITY to con-
| tinuc my work.
II made inquiry at the freight yard,
where the express car was stored when
not in use, and got my first tip there
from n day Waterman, who told mo
that several days before stranger,
who said that he was n cur builder
asked permission Of him to look at the
express car for tho purpose of getting
some data to make Il similar car.
"Thcrc was thus very little ground
work to begin on, and attention was
directed to railroad men who had been
discharged recently, and also to rail-
road men in general who had any,
thing to do with the handling of the cx-
press car in the depot or while it was
in transit. The usual cards of warning
were sent out to pawnbrokers and
jewelers. who were in the habit of
handling stolen goods, giving a de-
scription of the stolen jewelry. The
case moved on very slowly, and it
seemed as if the thieves had success
fully hidden every trace of their move
mGntS. AT tho nf1fra Of
company I learned that only three
men there knew when the money was
shipped and they were all above sus-
picion. None of the messengers knew
what part of the country thew were
going to until they got on the train,
and the company had provided suffi-
cient safeguards to prevent collision
with crooks
The case ran on for a week or ten
days, without any Developments. and
then l got telegram to hurry to the
express Office. l found there n great
deal of excitement over a story told
by jacob Hoffman, the assistant sec.
rotary of the company. 1t was, in
brief, that he had met man named
Robert Howe ia billiard saloon, a
perfect gentleman, who had saved him
from being whipped by some drunken
scrapper. They became good friends,
used to have jolly times together, and
he remembered in casual conversation
telling Howe about the express car
and money traffic business He would
never have thought of it again if he
had not met Howe that morning.
Howe told him that he had been awav
ourying his mother. 1 saw from the
way the young man had been led
along by Howe that he had been I'D
against clever bunlo artist, who got
correct information about everything
done in the money business, even to
the time of shipping the Doodle.
Howe had agreed to meet Hoffman
in the evening and take dinner in
Broad street. l knew that if Howe
really was in the robbery that his
business with Hoffman was to get in
formation about the work being done
to catch the thieves. l had several
men in the restaurant, and to my sur
prise Howe met Hoffman. Howe had
q partner. and when got the light On
them l recognized them at once as old
Bill Kenny, the prince of confidence
men, and Solly Myers, the meancst
crook | ever heard Of After tho din
ncr followed Myers into house in
Seventh street, Jersey City, where I
arrested them and lingo Horn. In
their room found about three-fourths
OF the stolen jewelry, but none OF the
express money. The case against them
was perfect"