The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-14
Jshn 0. CrImmIns' Fine Co..
lection Has Been Sadly Broken
AUTOGRAPHS AND RARE BOOKS
Stolen, II Is Alleged, b. The Man He En-
ploystas LIbTarIsn--A Washington Letter
Among the Missing Treasures

New York, March I4-John ID. Grim
minis is trying 10 recover and gather TO
gether autograph letters, rare editions
and other articles valued at several thou
sand dollars. OF the theft OF which his
librarian. Edward kearney, IL accused.
Mr.. Crimmlns received note from the
man yesterday, in which. Mr.. Crimmns
says, the former custodian OF the books
admits that he took the material. and sold
II TO reputable dealers"
The literary treasures were taken from
Mr.. Crimmins' house, at 40 East sixty
eighth street.
Among the letters are messages from
General George Washington, and others
from English poets, American authors
and public men.
Kearney was held I'm the Yorkvile police
court under $500 bonds for examination,
rs Mr.. Crimmins could not appear in per-
son to testify on account of business en-
gagements. Kearney was locked up In
the court prison. Detective Tunney, who
made tho arrest said that he had traced
some OF the stolen letters and manu-
scripts TO the stores OF dealers In rare
books and autographs, and had told them
of the circumstances.
They declined TO show the articles 10
him. although they practically admitted
that they had made the purchases. Mag
istrate Mayo caused several dealers 10 be
subpoenaed for the hearing. Mr. Grim
minis said that he was surprised that the
tradesmen did not assist him 10 recover
his property, as he had purchased letters
from several OF them.
His disappointment over the loss OF the
letters was the more keen as for 20 years
he has been making a collection which
he plans TO present TO a museum. The
depredations of kearney have played
havoc with a valuable collection OF Amer
icana.
Among the letters which are missing
are many which have an important his
torical bearing. On several occasions the
collection has been consulted by inves-
tigators who were trying TO settle some
question Of history and the reading OF
the autograph letters furnished the re-
Quired information.
Kearney is a university graduate nnd n
man of literary attachments. He was en-
ploysd by Mr.. Crimmins to arrange his
books, manuscripts and autographs. He
was In the library every day and orders
were given that he should have access to
q large safe containing the letters when
ever he wished.
Another secretary had charge OF tho
safe and knew the combination, but in
compliance with the orders OF Mr.. Grim
minis he opened the door whenever kear-
ney asked him and left the librarian in
charge.
Mr.. Crimmins returned a few weeks ago
from a visit TO the south. In looking
over the library he found that several
books were missing and a further investi-
cation revealed that some OF his most
valued letters had been taken. Kearney
seemed TO be much surprised and his
employer did not suspect him.
Mr.. Crimmins has not yet completed his
inventory. but he knows that many val
uable books and manuscripts are missing
Among the letters which he values highly
was a note written by General Washing
ton at Valley Forge to his stepson, Parke
Custis: letters from Henry W. Longfel-
low, James Russell Lowell, General Knox.
John Adams. Thomas Moore and Robert
Burns have been removed. At one estab-
lishment letter for which Mr.. Crimmins
paid 500 was purchased for $50.
Many OF the letters were bound In
books, accompanied by descriptive text
Among the rare books taken was first
edition of Smiths History Of Virginia,
with a coiored map. The volume was
sold for few dollars
Mr.. Crimmins said that he could not
place any exact value on his loss. The
missing books and papers represent an
outlay OF several thousand dollars
Kearney Is about 30 years old. He Is
married and has two children