Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-18
THE NELLY FRAUDS.
Postmaster Thompson Of Ha-
vana in a Bad Box.
Has Sympathy Of All, but Is Charged
with Criminal Acts.
Goyernren! Detective Unearlhs the RIIeL ed
Sale Of Counterfeit Stamps.

Havana, May 1.-THE principal
charge against the Havana postmaster,
f. L. Thompson, who, with w. IL.
Reeves. deputy auditor Of the island,
and Edward Moya and Jorge Mdrcaro,
cuban clerks in the stamp department,
was arrested, yesterday, will be that
he entered into conspiracy with Carry
don Rich. the clerk who has confessed
To knowledge Of many Of the tran
sactions, and who will give evidence
for the government whereby the tracks
Of q. +. w. Nicely, the arrested fnan-
cial agent of posts, might be covered.
The prosecution says Thompson delib-
crately changed vouchers and ordered
and directed that changes be made in
the books and accounts with the mani
fest intention of shielding Nicely, if
possible
Moya and MaIcaro admit selling over
S1SG0 forth Of an old issue of stamps
which were MT called for in the requi-
sition. Thompson says that though h
ordered the alteration Of certain fig
ures a the request ~ Rich, he did 50
without knowing that they were of a
criminal nature. He thinks he might
have been treated with more consid-
craticn-eith-r dismissed or requested
t. resign.
Thnmpson's bail was fixed at so, 600
cash. but was ultimately reduced to
$1,000. which was deposited in cash by
the Danish consul. Herr Culmcll. d
wealthy merchant. The bail of Moya
and Marcaro has been reduced To $500.
which is not yet forthcoming. Reevs
will be allowed To- remain at his own
home in charge of special agents.
During the Investigations now in pro-
eress he will h called upon daily to
give evidence: and it il also felt that
blil required Of him would necessarily
be heavy and would probably not be
forthcoming.
It IS reported here that Nicely has
admitted that his bail deposit was his
cwn money ana request will ~ made
for the seizure Of that amount as be-
longing to The postal department,
should il prove that the funds came
uut of his own pocket. It is also felt
that. in the circumstances. his bail is
excessively light. Although he was
first discharged with populations TO the
Hin unit III 100000 it il now believed
that Il. obtained the larger part Of the
>too.060 which it said to cover the de-
falcat:or.
Tn" 81 ial agent who Is making in
Iuiriss at 3aracoa reports that the
poetrlaetcr thcrc ms been acting as
business representative Of Nicely and
has received from him. during the last
feU months. $l2,5o0 for q cocoanut
grove and flee plantation. No sus-
p'C.on =, sts upon tn Blraco1 postmas-
tcr Much sympathy is felt here for
Thompson. among both Americans and
eubang. The general belief is that al
though owing to the laXity NJ the de-
partment he may have temporarily
used funds belonging ID the office,
which were afterwards repaid, h. new
ortheless acted innOcently, SO far as
altering the records Mt the request Of
Rich was concerned.
Messrs. Faith and Fosncr, the in
sp ctors. who arrived. yesterday. have
been examining Mr.. Rathbone. This
afternoon. they We're in conference
with Gen. Wood fur I'll re than an hour
and then went to Reeves. They decline
70 furnish any information as to the
result OF tnClr inquiry.
New York. May 1.-THE eXamina-
nation Of the charges against Charles
F. w. Nicely, accused of Cmbo zzling
$500 Of the Cuban postal funds.
which had been set for today. was
postponed for one week by United
States Commissioner Shields. The re-
movaI of Nicely to cuba will first be
fought at the requisition proceedings
soon to be held before Gov. Roosevelt
in Albany.
Muncie Ind. MAY IA government
detective who has been here working on
the Muncie end Of the Cuban post Office
case states that the real
steal has been the sale Of counterfeit
stamps. which. it is alleged. have been
printed in the office OF q printing com
pany here Thousands Of dollars worth
of the bogus STAMPS are said to have
been issued and distributed To Cuban
poStmaStcrS. 2 number nf Whom. it Is al
legged, shared in the profits When Ross
Cowcn. president of the Nicely Printing
Co. WIS told the story today. ne did not
seem especially concerned hut said: You
may SAY that II there ~ any story atloat
that the Nicely Printing co. ever turned
out Cuban stamps, either for the postal
ur any Otner service. il II false.