New-York tribune., 1903-05-30
BIG DIAMOND ROBBERY
E1PRESSMAN HAD GEMS
Jezcels and Checks Worth $4,000,
addressed to Chicago, Disappear.

The police and detectives of the Adams E1-
press Company are Investigating the mysterious
disappearance of a package containing jeWelry
worth $500 and two checks, one for 500 ana
the other for s., 800. delivered by Mrs Dav1d
Strauss, of No. III Madison-ave.. to the Man
haitian Delivery Company on May ID last, ana
addressed TO Mrs. Charles Hernshetn, the owner
of the property, who is staying at the Audito-
rum Hotel. in Chicago
James McCue. of No. I. .195 Lextngton-ave.. g.
driver in the employ Of the Manhattan Deliv-
cry Company, identified by maid and two
bellboys in the apartment house where Mrs.
Strauss lives as the who received the
package and signed the receipt for IT, was ar
raigned in the Tonlbs police court by Head
quarters detectives suspicious person yes
terday and remanded to Police Headquarters for
forty-eight hours.
The missing Jewels consist Of one opal and
diamond ring. valued at $500; one ring, set with
pearls and diamonds $780, one diamond cres-
cent, $500; one diamond ring. $1,000: one pearl
necklace. $1,000; one watch set with diamonds.
$500: one pearl chain $500; one antique chain.
$780, and two small chains. S2o0
Mrs. Hernshen.'' said Mrs. Strauss. was my
guest until Sunday, May II. When she went
away she left the jewelry and checks with me.
On Tuesday received telegram from her from
Chicago, in which she told TO send the
jewelry by express. I sent my maid TO the office
Of the Manhattan Delivery Company, at Sew
enty-second-st. and Thtrd-ave.. TO tell them TO
call for q package. That night wagon drove
up to the door with the Manhattan Delivery
Company's name on it. and under 1t that of the
Adams Express Company. In the presence of
two bellboys. my maid handed the package to
this man McCue l have the receipt here. which
is signed with the initials J. NJ.
When I learned that the package had not
reached Mrs Hernshen I told the Adams Ex-
press Company. One of their detectives called
and asked me if I wanted II make a complaint
against McCue He said the man haG been
discharged I told him that I would not make
any complaint against the man. 1 did not
know whether he was guilty or I did not
report the matter to the police, being satisfied
to let the express company handle it. As long
as have the receipt 1t makes no difference to
me whom they arrest.
II don't want to see an innocent man pun
ished and want it expressly understood that
I am not making any complaint against the
man"
At the time that the package was given
TO the express company two trunks belonging to
Mrs Hernshein were sent with It. The trunks.
II is understood, arrived in Chicago.
vice-President Taft Of the Manhattan Deliv-
cry Company at the office NO. o. Broadway
said he had not been informed Of developments
in the case President McWilliams is investi-
eating It though. I understand he added
press Company said
All I say is that there has been an
irregularity at the office at No lO45 Third
ave We do not know that there has been
theft committed and until we know more about
the matter I must decline to discuss it further
Mrs Thomas Reid, McCues sister, who lives
in the same house at No. !, T93 LeXington-ave
said il was nonsense to say that her brother
stole the jewelry He would not be such fool
as to stay around New-York City if he ever did
ANYTHING like that" she declared. Detective
Price and an official of one Of the express COM
panies called at our house to-day. They wanted
me 70 give them the keys to my brothers trunk
and I did so. When they went TO search the
trunk they found IL unlocked, for my brother
had nothing TO conceal. ! had to laugh when
thev found some jewelry In the trunk that they
q travelling salesman for a jewelry firm. and the
tevgeIrv in nv brothers trunk was some that
father had given TO him After the detectives
had examined the jcwelry. which was worth per-
hans $40 they went away. They found nothing
here that would incriminate my brother IN any
way
ing for the express company for several days on
account of trouble he had had with a manager
The package was in charge OF the ADAMS hN-
press Company. which had given IL 70 the Man
haitian company TO deliver
President McWilliams refused TO discuss the
case saving that he had been requested by IN
spector McC,lusky not to make any statement
before to-day Then he might make state
ment