The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-23
MADE AWAY WITH BRAssEs.
Trusted EmpIoye of The Central
Abuses the Trust.

q
Abuses the Trust.
For some weeks the officials of the Cen
tral Railway have known that the brasses
on the engines In the upper rice mill have
been steadily disappearing. not spasmodic-
ally. but in about equal quantities AT
about regular intervals. The report OF
the matter to the police and the investga-
ton OF the case by the detectives. led yes
terday 10 the arrest OF c. s. Richardson.
an Old and trusted employe of the COM
pauy.
The report vas made TO the barracks on
Sunday, and Detectives ScuNy, Barrel.
and Shea were assigned 10 the case. On
account of the fact that the larceny of
brasses has OF late become common and
branch of the industry in much vogue
among the gentry of The nlmble fingers,
surt. screven also interested himself in
the discovery and apprehension Of the
criminals.
An Investigation of the premises re-
vealed the fact that all of the engines
used in running the machinery of the rice
mill had been almost entirely stripped of
their brass parts, and that the thieves,
whoever they might be, had been most
systematic and diligent in their work. The
impression became current with me super
intendant and the detectives that some one
employed upon the premises and familiar
with the inlets ana outlets OF the buAding
and the location OF the engines had been
instigated IN the theft.
Working on this. line and striving 10
discover where the large amount OF brass
that had been stolen had been carried, or
where disposed Of, the detectives learned
that q thousand pounds or more had been
bought by one of the quartermasters OF
the Merchants and Miners liner berk-
shire and that it was stored on the Wnarf
of the Baltimore line. Shrewd question
ing finally brought out the statement that
the brasses had been bought from A. E.
Evans, the foreman of the coal yard of
Messrs. Bond, Harrison & Co, and the
latter was found and placed under arrest.
Evans then said that he had bought the
brass from c. S. Richardson, and the de-
tectives started out in search of the man
thus charged with the theft He was the
foreman of the gang of men employed
by the railroad in the repairing of the rice
mill and was found engaged on this work.
He was confronted by Evans and con-
fessed that he had stolen the brasses from
the engines and sold them. Upon this
confession and the evidence that had been
secured against him by the detectives
Richardson was arrested and carried TO
the station house
He told the detectives that he had been
offered by Evans 5 cents a pound for all
Of the brass that he could secure and de-
liver, and that for some weeks he had
been taking the brass from the engines
and selling il to Evans. 1t was learned
subsequently that Evans had been maxi
ing a good profit on the transactions, as
his selling price 10 the quartermaster or
the Berkshire, to whom he disposed of
the stolen property. was So cents a pound
The quartermaster intended to take the
brass TO Baltimore and sch it there, but it
was seized by the detectives before this
amiable intention could be carried into eff
feet. 1t is but just to say that no impu-
tation of guilt attaches TO the quarter
master, and that he is believed to have
been an innocent party to the transac-
ton.
The detectives do not hold the same opln-
ion in regard TO Evans, who they think
must have been advised of the source
whence the brass was being obtained ard
of the manner in which it came into
Richardson's possession. The proposition
to buy the brass came from him, and in
all proba bility suggested TO Richardson
that he steal it and make profit Evans
in the meanwhile was TO remain behind
the scenes ana 10 take his part of the pro-
ceeds without his share of the risk.
Yesterday afternoon Agent Trezevant of
the Central Railway went before Justice
Kline and swore out warrant for the ar
rest of Richardson and upon this the ac-
cused man was released from the custody
of the city authorities. and turned over TO
the constable holding the warrant. He
was arraigned before Justice Kline and
gave bond for his appearance al the pre-
liminary trial that WI be held. The matter
has thus been taken out of the control of
the police
Richardson has been seven years in the
employ of the Central. and was regarded
by those of his superiors with whom he
came In contact as an efficient foreman
and an honest man. His arrest by the de-
tectives came as a shock to them He is
married and came to the employ of the
road from the country, where as here. he
bore a good reputation.
In the matter of reputation, Evans is
not so fortunate, as he has been previously
arrested by the detectives for the larceny
of camera from Livingston's Pharmacy.
He was at that time employed on a vessel.
which was TO sail on the morning after
his capture, and on this account Mr.. Iiv-
ingston agreed not to prosecute the case
against him. He was released and the case
dismissed.
COMMISSION DID NOT DECIDE.