The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-18
EX-POST MA STER ARRESTED.
John Q. Walker, of Ninety-six in
Jail for Illegally Disposing of
Stamps-Sensational Developments

Jail for Illegally Disposine n,
Stamps-Sensational Developments
Promised as to tho Burned Post-
Office.
Greenwood Index, May IL.
Mr.. John G. Walker, ex-postmastor
at Ninety-SiX, was lodged in iail hera
yesterday afternoon by United States
Commissioner Frierson in default ~
$iOO bond Tor his appearance at the Or.
toher term OF the United States dis.
trict court at Greenville
Ihe charge against him is "usinp
ana dlsposing Of revenue stamps In the
payment OF debts and the purchase Of
merchandlse, he being at the time a
postmaster and entr usted with the
care and custody OF stamps"
Mr. walker 1s about IS years old and
IL u well known character especially "
In the eastern party of the county ia
has been republican since the war
He ii was appointed postmaster at
Nlnety-Six in July, 1897, to succeed A.
VIC. turner, democrat. Sometime in
oeptcmoer OF last year u pOstoffice in
spector visited the Office at Ninety
Pix and fovnd u shortage OF about S3I0
Mr.. Walkers son, j. +. Walker, man
aged to raise the money to pay up this
shortage and there was no prosecution
ana Mr.. Walker was allowed to remain
IN oilice. Some S75 of this money was
borrowed from gentleman at Ninety
Slx, S|5 from one Of the AbbeyilIe
banks, and the balance was furnishod
by Joseph w. Tolbert. Walker is not
related to the Tolberts but has
| affiliated with them in politics since
the war and has boon very Intimately
associated with them. He secured
the postoillce through tho Tolbert in
iluencc.
Aftor the adjustment OF the short
ago Mr.. j. T.. Walker, who had been
assistant postmaster but had not been
giving much time to the affairs OF the
office, took charge and began to give
his whole time TO the Office. He kept
the money OF the Olico in his posses
sion and carried the key OF the safe
In which the stamps were deposited,
and, everyone believes, kept the af-
fairs OF the Office straight from that
time on.
About q month ago Walkor was noti-
lied OF his removal from Office and that
Miss Annie Henderson had been an
pointed as his successor. Miss Hon
derson Is cousin Of the Tolberts but
Is a highly respected young lady and
her appointment gave general salts
faction. A few nights before she was
to tako charge tho postotlicc was
burned, together with nearly all tho
books and records of the Office and, Mr..
Walker alleges, $l7925 worth Of
stamps. Tho circumstances surround
ing the fro led to the belief that the
origin was incendiary, and govern
mont detectives have been working on
tho caso for several weeks Postotlice
Inspector }. i. Oldtield went to Ninety.
Six Sunday, and tho arrest was one OF
the results Of his Investigations.
Mr.. walker was arrested at Ninety
Six yeHtcrday morning by United
States Deputy Marshal Langston and
brought to Greenwood. Commissioner
FriersOn came down from Anderson on
tho noon train to hold the preliminary.
When arraigncd MIR. Walker stated
that he was ready for a hearing and
the taking OF testimony commenced at
once. Mcssrs. John B. Sloan, A. w.
Still, w. j. DeVore, J. vi. Swind!cr, j.
S. Plnson, DR.. w. II. Holland and John
&. Dean, coiored, all residents Of
Nincty-Six, wore put on the stand and
each testified that MIR. Walker at diff
fcrcnt times since Christmas, APP
preached them and offered to soil thom
stamps for cash or in exchange for mer.
chandisc in settlement OF dobts. Each
witness stated that Mr.. Walker had said
that the stamps had bUen sent him by
by parties who owed him and that they
cid not belong to tho po5toilice depart
mcpt. Then Witnesses testified to |
practically the samo things and, with |
ono or Two unimportant exceptions,
Mr.. Walker did not attempt to cross |
question thcm. 1t was clearly o.
tablished that Mr.. Walker had boon |
selling stamps outside Of tho postoilice
at Nincty-Six, claiming that they had
hAn Mt i'm f,u 4
MIN and that they did not belong to
the pcstot1iCc.
After hearing Mr.. Walkers state.
mcnt Commissioner Frierson stated
that, in view Of the evidence he would
have to send the case up to the higher
court. Mr.. Walker said he had ex-
pcctod this and asked that tho bond be
made as light as possible. Inspector
O.uhcld stated that tho illegal sale of
stamps was only u pnrt OF the matters
connected with the Nincty-Six post
office that are TO be investigated, that
this case is only Is beginner, and he
therefore asked that the amount Of tho
bond DO fixed at some good sum, and
that mono but responsible bondsmen be
taken. Aftor somo thought Commits
siOncr Friors0n said he would fix the |
amount Of the bond at 800. Mr.. |
Walker was unable to give bond yes
tcrday afternoon and was committed |
to the county jail. He stated that he |
would probably bo able to give bond
to-day. For the present he is confined |
in the cell with Herman King, the |
slayer Of "pot' Mabry.
Inspector Oldteld's statement that |
the NinetySix postoice matter is to !
bo probod still deeper has naturally !
aroused considerable interest. 1t Ia
understood to mean that the detectives
who have been working on the case are
about ready to cause the arrest Of the
persons suspected OF burning the post
oilico. 1t is generally believed now
that moro than ono person was con-
ccrncd in tho burning.
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