The times., 1897-09-02


senger, had not arrived, as he should have
been there at $40, and the windows were
all closed, so that the office was very warm.
Then going behind the railing to his desk
he was astonished to find that the floor
had not been swept, and waste papers
were scattered about, and the appearance
of the cashiers counter entirely as If
nothing had been done to since the close
OF business Tuesday night.
A moment later he went TO the big Mar
win sare in the further corner Of the room
for the purpose Of getting out the cash and
counting tt. To his surprise, upon swing
ing Omen the heavy iron doors, the tin box
containing the currency was not in the
safe. 1t was not to be found. Then he
looked in the other drawers of the safe
for the money, but could not find it,
While Mr. Chanberlin was still search
ing for the money Deputy Collector Collins
came in and was advised Of the cIrcum-
stance There had been big robbery,
and in IA moment the entire office was
thrown into a state of excitement as Mr..
Davis and the cler ks came in and were in
formed OF the facts.
Commissioner Ross was notified and
Consultation was held with Ma ior Moore
and Inspector Mattingly and work was at
once begun on the case. During u further
search OF the office the tin box which had
contained the money was found secreted
in wash stand across the room near one
of the rear windows. There was nothing
in it.
The workings of the office were to
Some extent in favor of the thief. Every
day at II o'clock the money received in
taxes during the previous day and up
10 that hour are deposited with the
Treasurer Of the United States. The funds
received from IL to 4 are locked in the
safe until the next day, when the same
thing is repeated
No one in the office is suppos ed to know
the combination to the safe, except the
collector, Mr.. Davis, the deputy collector,
Mr. Collins, and the cashier, Mr.. Chamber
! lin.
As soon as the robbery was reported
to Commissioner Ross, he requested Mr.
Hope DarneiIe, the disbursing clerk, to
do a little detective work, and he succeeded
| in forming 50 me important clews. Mr.. Dar-
nellie. in company with Mr. Warner, Of the
collectors office, first went to Hawkins
home, No. 2342 Sixth street, extended.
There, as they had expected, the ne gro
was not to be found
| The robbery. committed as / { was, with
out doubt, in broad day light, between 4
and . o clock in the afternoon, with a de-
tective bureau on the floor below filled
with shrewd sleutns and twoor three police
men stationed about the building, was one
OF the boldest and most daring ever COM
uiitted In Washington, and is admitted ty
the police to eclipse that Of d Western des-
perado.
1t is supposed. however, that Hawkins
had an accomplice on the outside OF the
building, TO whom he handed the money
through che Of the windows in the rear.
Who this person is the detectives are
endeavoring to ascertain. Inspector Mat
tingly at once detailed Detectives Helan.
Lacey and Weldon To workon the case, and
| they are at present making every effort
to locate tile missing messenger.
They went to his house, but could learn
| little in regard to his whereabouts from his
family. who were doubtless unaware OF
| Hawkins alleged crime. Nearly the en-.
tire detective force is at work on
the robbery and following up every pos
sible clew and they hope soon 10 run
down their man.
Teeerams have been sent to different
cities 10 apprehend Hawkins, but up to a
late hour last night no trace of him
had been found.
In appearance, Hawkins is a negro who
could easily be recognized. He is nearly
six feet tall, slim, and of a yellow color
He has but one good eye, the other being
glass and IS readfl " ,Iptected
The exact amount OF the stslen funds i.
| Ss,G25.
Auditor Petty said yesterday that Col
lector Davis is bonded in the sum oil
500 600. and will be held responsible 70
tile loss.
Al late hour last night Hawkins ha,
not been apprehended although the polio,
are working diligently on several import
antclews andthg detective bureau W as KEPT
busy nearly all night sending out to al
cities and towns the following offer or re
wad and description of the supposed thief
Headquarters Metropolitan Police.
washington, d, G., Sept; l, 1897
rest Thomas yarick Hawkins, colored
bright yellow man, about six feet high
100 pounds, thirty years old, no beard
shoulders inclined forward. carries hea
to one side when talking, forehead higi
and receding, bad front teeth, long arms
| sight of left eye gone, bah of eye white
| Wanted for the larceny of SO 600 fron
the office of tax collector of the Distric
OF Columbia, on the evening OF Angus
WIN. G. MOORE,
Major and Supt- Police
The reward was at first placed at S25C
but, in view OF the large amount stoler
it was later decided to double the off