Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-02
PLUcKY YOUNG TEXAN
Game All the Way From Galveston to Vim.
dictate His Character.
Charged With Having stolen Money
From the Mafls-Order of Sus-
pension Removed

An interesting story has been brought to
light in regard to the post Office at Calves
ton, Tex. 1t is said that frequent COM
plants had bean made of the loss of money
letters and packages containing money
sent by special delivery stamps, and that
suspicion was fastened by one James A.
Glen, the mailing clerk at that Office, upon
Chas. A. Debrill, who was employed as a
messenger to deliver special delivery let
tiers. Young Debrill is about fourteen years
oio, ana Is the so0 of a man who prior to
his death was for nineteen years a railway
mail clerk. and had high reputation for
efficiency at his work, and was known as
an upright. honorable man.
The boy himself, who is known as
Babe" had always borne a good reputa-
ton, :.nd had been in the post Office for
five years. 1t is said that Glen fixed up a
decoy letter. putting into il a marked dol
lar. placed 1t in the basket with other let
tcrs intended for young Debrill to deliver.
Before the boy started out on his rounds
Slen called an employe who had seen him
fix up the decoy letter. and they both ex-
amined the basket, which resulted in find
Ing that the decoy letter was gone. Glen
then summoned young Debrill, informed
him that he was suspected of stealing let
tiers containing money and thoroughly
searched him. Nothing, however, was
found upon the boy. not even the decoy
doing, and strongly protested his inno-
cence. The boy was suspended, although
he demanded an immediate Investigation.
Kind of investigation.
Post Office Inspector Fry of New Or
leans went over to Galveston to make an
examination into the affairs. He heard
Glen's statement ard interviewed the boy
who again denied all knowledge of The
tEefts, and insisted upon the most rigid
investigation. 1t is said that Fry then
visited the boys mother and tried to i'm
pless upon her the Importance of settling
the matter, saying to her that II she would
fe1unc all the money that had been stolen
amounting to several hundred dollars
the matter wouli be dropped, thereby
see king by Implication to connect the
mother with the crime, as 1t was impos-
slble for her to pay that amount of money
unless she had been custodian Of the stolen
money. Mrs. DeBrill Indignantly resented
the insult and told him that her boy was
fonest and that nothing but positive evil
dence Of his guilt would convince her to
the contrary; that if he was a thief she
wanted to know it. Fry, it is asserted,
promised he would come back in few
weeks and make thorough investigation
and left the city.
After weeks Of patient waiting Babe"
said to his mother. Il can stand this no
longer: 1 cannot live with this dark SPOT
upon my character. 1 am going to New
Orleans to see the chief post office In
spector and demand a h. airing"
The father of the boy had left his little
family an insurance fund of about 81 go
During his long illness Babe had succeeded
in Keeping the premiums PAID up, and upon
distribution of this fund ne received
about $50 more than the other children So
ne drew from his little bank and he went
TO New Orleans, saw the chief Inspector,
Mr.. johnson, and was informed by him
matter; that a report had been made. and
1t was in the hands of the post office Off
Gals at Washington.
Came 10 This City.
Babe returned home. told his mother he
Vas going to Washington city and reached
here about week ago. where he met Rep
resentative J. B. Hawley for the Galveston
district, who at once became interested in
the boy and his story. He went to the de-
partment and placed the matter before the
officials.
Babe says he incurred the enmity of
this fellow Glen by refrsir g to loan him
portion of his insurance money.
In telling bis story to some Texas friends,
Gov. Flanagan of that state said TO him:
My son, they were after you"
Eyes. SIR said Babe, ''but I am after
them now"
This boy is the only support of his moth
er. who has other children, and he IL her
idol. She writes that he is and has always
been to her all that could be desired; hon.
est, truthful, industrious and devoted to
her ana his home. Upon the suggestion
and request Of Mr.. Hawley, the boy has
Dten TeliStdttu " MS poSitioH III thS poSi
office. and will return to Texas after see
ing and paying his respects to the Presi-
dent. me,
Babe in answer to a question by The
Star reporter. said: Il have spent alto
gether near 500 in travelling to New Or
leans and Coming here, but l would spend
as much more il I had it to prove my hop-
esty and clear my character"
The report Of the post office detective at
New Orleans, now on file I'm the Post Office
Department, is an Interesting document.
In closing the report says: I'm the case
of the boy We recommend suspension, but
not discharge, as there are other thieves
in the Galveston post Office"
1t is said that there are likely to be some
interesting developments before the in
quiry into this case is concluded.