The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-26
"A N. C. Postmaster Swim
ding Through the Mails.
VIE Is NOW LOCKED UP
INSPECTOR GREGORY UNEARTHS
A BOLD FRAUD.
THE P. N. A GERMAN IMMIGRANT
SHs Had Scheme Of Promising to Give Fine
Gold Watch for List of Names
and One Dollar.

and One Dollar.
During the past few months, a bold,
daring and successful scheme for de-
fxauding through the mails, has been
in operation from Poplarmount, War
rsn county; . small country office three
nailes from Ridgeway on the :. A. IL.
Railroad, the mail being supplied by
star route from Ridgeway.
Commencing during July, and contin-
uing through August, large numbers
81 sealed letters were sent out from the
nostoffice at Poularmount, addressed to
vestoffice at Poplarmount, addressed to
HE various poStoffices in the various
southern, southwestern and western
1tates Of the Union. About this time
large numbers Of registered letters AMI
ordinary letters with stamps, money Or
ders, etc, began pouring into the post
effce at Poplarmount, addressed to the
German Supply Co" and soon after
wards large numbers of letters of inquiry
rs to the responsibility of the German
Supply Company, were being received
by the postmaster ait Poplarmount,
fssm various postmasters through the
South and West; to some Of these, re-
plies were sent by John A. Meeder. post
w
A. B. Meaks. or J. w. Fleming; later
Nat the mail for this company was be
Ing forwarded 10 Chicago and that this
concern was = fraud
1t developed that the sealed letters
xaailed at Popla rmount. contained neat
circulars. with euts of handsome watch
Is, which the company offered to the
pestimasters. upon condition that they
w~uid forward q list of a few patrons OF
tkeir Offices, for the purpose of advertis-
ing the conpany's jeweiry, etc. the
pestma sters also being directed to en-
close with the list of names, one dollar
y cover ces. Of packing and small por-
! tiond of the cost Of these handsome
watches. With these circulars were en-
A0eed neat certificates, highly recon-
AeM1ing the company and signed by the
postmaster, . magistrate, railroad agent.
4 preacher and mercantile firm of Pop
6m0unt oo. b@l
Hundreds Of registered letters poured
iASs Poplarmsunt containing dollars and
Ut of names, but no watches were re-
~pived and then complaints began pour
ing in upon the postmaster. by post
xaaters who had been misled by the
certificate Of recommendation. the COM
Hlainants only learning to their sorrow.
Tat the postmaster denied all response
nifty for the recommendation and that
tne parties were frauds.
On Tuesday Postmaster Inspector
II. T. Gregory, visited Poplarmount and
Wasstold marvellous tale by the post
master, Of how . mysterious man, enc
n. b. Meaks, suddenly appeared at his
>1fce; mailed the letters and received
10 matter for the German Supply Co.,
tsr ~ month and . half, without any
enc know whence he came,
whittier he went, or where he sojourned
yhile in that section; that a week after
Tie spysterious disappearance of Meaks,
j. w. Fleming came upon the scene, pre-
44snted an order from the said Meaks for
4Ae ,pail addressed to the German Sup
Ny Co., visited the postoffice daily, lived
arrived and then disappeared myster-
3Duslys ~ Meaks had done. The investi-
0ation entangled the postmaster; tue
1ectored registry records, forged receipts,
= concealed German Supply Co., stamps
1nd q great deal Of damaging evidence
was disclosed, during the investigation;
% the close Of which, after night fall,
1he inspector forced the postmaster to
enter his buggy for the purpose of furth-
q investigating the matter at Ridgeway;
Hpon their arrival at Ridgeway the be-
lated southbOund train was arriving and
ne inspector had to call for assistance,
BEFORE he could force Meeder to board
ahe train; from which he was taken upon
the arrival at Raleigh and placed in the
lsckup.
Yesterday morning Inspector Gregory
again visited Poplarmount and upon
further examination of the postoffice
building, discovered boxes containing
more than five thousand envelopes adj
dressed to postmasters or assistant post
masters In various southern and western
states. Inc larger portion OF
same were addressed by John A.
Needer and large portion of
Them had postage stamps affixed, some
we're stamped envelopes and others had
Me circular sealed up ready for mailing
two postal guides were discovered with
Ink check marks upon the alphabetical
list of postoffices in sixteen States and
Territories, to which envelopes had
Ben addressed at various times; discov-
cry was also made Of one concealed
record OF registered matter delivered,
upon which two hundred and forty
seven registered letters to the German
supply Company had been recorded and
Of which the forged signatures were
evidently in the handwriting of John A.
Needer.
Meeder was examined yesterday after
aoon before United States Commissioner
Sohn Nichols; was held for trial in the
United States court at Raleigh, in 4
justified bond OF 5000, in default Of
which he was committed to the clock
up."
McKINLEY'S THANKSGIVING.
WY