, 1899-12-12
NEPTUNE ARRESTED
CHEYENNE RESIDENT ARREST
ED ON CHARGE OF ROB-
Berry.
Prominent Detectives Working on the
Case Neptune Put Through
Searching Examination but Stout
ly Maintained His Innocence-Loss
Estimated at $4,000.

Cheyenne, Wyo., Dec. 11.-Citizens
of Cheyenne were considerably sur
prised this morning when they read of
the daring robbery of the racific Ex-
press company's office in this city, as
the matter had been kept quiet and
few persons on the outside had heard
of it. The surprise was increased when
the announcement was made hat Ed
ward Neptune, an old resident Of Chey-
enne, had been placed under arrest,
charged with the robbery.
Neptune was taken in charge early
yesterday, but was not formally placed
under arrest until last night, when he
was charged with stealing $2,400 from
the safe of the Pacific Express COM
pany, together with jewelry and money
orders valued at $4,000. Officers visited
Neptune's home last evening and made
a careful search, but could not find
any of the stolen money or valuables.
Today Neptune was placed in the
"~sweat-box' but declares he is inno-
cent.
Neptune was formerly in the employ
of the Pacific Express company at this
place, also the Wells-Fargo company.
1t is alleged he was discharged from
both positions, but for what cause is
not known. He had not worked for
the Pacific company for several months
but the officers suspected him from his
being familiar with the Office and be-
cause he was seen LEI the express
room a few minutes prior to the rob-
berry.
When the night force left the office
Saturday night to go to the trains they
locked the north door. or city entrance
and going out Of the south door, pull
ed it shut, but he did not not lock it.
Neptune being near at hands, the Off
Gals argue, could easily tell whether
any one was left in the office or not,
and by slipping around to the north
door let himself in, unlock the safe
and get away before the men returned
from the train.
lulS 10 Ii lueOly duN dhIeu, "hCIh~
er the crime was committed by Nep-
tune or someone else. One thing is
| certain with all who have become ac-
quainted with the facts, and that is the
robber was perfectly at home in the
express Office. He knew just where
everything was kept and was familiar
with the combination OF the safes. He
was undoubtedly supplied with a key
to the north door, for the officials ar
que that he would not take chances Of
getting in and out by the south door,
where people were passing up and down
the depot platform every few minutes.
Ed. Neptune has been in Cheyenne
many years and has always borne a
good reputation, but it is stated that
he could not get along with his en-
|ployers, which accounts for his chang
ing from one company to another fire.
quently. His last position was at the
state capitol, where he assisted In put
ting in steam heating apparatus. He
lost his job several days ago and since
then has done nothing.
Neptune declares he is entirely in
nocent and that he was at home with
his family at the time of the robbery.
Chief Canada of Omaha and Assist
ant Penrose of Denver, of the Union
Pacific secret service, arrived today
and took charge of the case. Tonight
Neptune engaged a lawyer to defend
him. The officers are evidently Of the
but are unable as yet to fasten the
guilt upon him.