Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-06
Letter Carrier Held for Action Of
Grand Jury.
ACCUSATION OF EMBEZZLEMENT
Decoy Letters Found in His Pockets
After Arrest.
ALL FIXE d AT 81, 100

William II. Marshall. coored, who has
been employed as d letter carrier for nearly
ten years. was given preliminary eXam-
ination this morning before United States
Commissioner Samuel c. Mills He was
charged with alleged violations of several
sections of the United States Revised Stat
utes relating to the postal service. The
warrant alleged the embezzlement of three
letters which were handled by him in the
course of his duties. Several witnesses
were examined, and the defendant was held
in 81, 500 security for the action of the
grand jury.
Marshall is thirty-flve years old. He lives
y,'h his wife and children at No. 2i6 18th
street southeast. For a long time he has
been on the route south of H street north
west, between nth and Goth streets. Yes
terlay he made his regular afternoon col
lection and reported at the office about 6
O'Clock. Then he went about his work or
asserting and facing the letters. and 1t was
about $40 o'clock when he finished and
started home. Inspector d. G. Owings, who
had ed two decoy letters, arrested him
soon after he left the building, and took
him to the first precinct station Mr.. Ed
win c. Bartlett, formerly of the city de-
livery division of the city post office, as
sisted in making the arrest.
In the sergeant's room at the police sta
ton the prisoner was searched, and from
his coat pockets the inspector took three
letters and a paper. Marshall made no
statement except that he bai rOwed the
paper, a copy of the Davenport Re- publ
can, to read. one of the decoy letters was
addressed to Miss Sarah ID. Graham, No
1Ni West Jackson street. Richmond Va :;
another to Miss Helen g. Hurley, IG0
North Mount street Baltimore Nd, and
the third addressed to Mrs. A. X.
Elliott, No. 2N29 Calumet avenue, Chicago.
At the hearing this morning the letters
and paper We're offered in evidence.
Inspectors Statement.
Inspector Owings told of the mailing of
what he called test letters. and of watch
ing MarshalIs movements in the Office. He
said he saw him take the letters on which
We're special delivery stamps and put them
on table where they did not belong. Then
he related the circumstances of the arrest
and search. When questioned by Attorney
John a. Clarke, who appeared for the de-
PENDANT, the witness said he was in the
lookout" when he watched the letter
carriers movements. Every post office, he
said. has lookout, but he declined to tell
anything about the location of the one in
the local office. Witness said he first be-
came acquainted with Marshall in August,
when complaints were made about lost let
tiers. He suspected Marshall, and yester-
day he put III the test letters.
Foreman Bartlett, Sergeant Sprinkle of
the first precinct and Albert Vernon, who
is also connected with the police station,
We're examined witnesses They tesu-
fed that they were present when the
search was made and saw the letters and
papers taken from MarshalIs coat pockets.
The witnesses identified the letters which
We're shown them
Assistant District Attorney SemmeS ask
ed hat the bond be fixed at 5000. as the
penalty in event of conviction may be five
years Imprisonment.
Counsel Objects.
Mr.. Clarke said that fixing the bond at
such a sum would be the same as an abso-
lutte Jail sentence.
Il think, your honor" said Mr.. Clarke,
that $1,000 is sufficient"
Il cannot fix the amount 50 low" said
Commissioner Mills, for three letters and
a paper are charged"
Bond was fixed in the sum stated, $500.
and Mr.. Clarke said he would furnish a
EOndsman latcr in Tho daN