The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1903-10-09
MAIL POUCH ROBBER
CAUGHT in DENVER
To Be Surrendered to st Louis Auth
critics and Tried for Swindling.
A MAN OF MANY ALIASES
Is Accused Of Stealing a Mail Pouch
Containing $5OO,OOO Worth of Ne
EOtiable Bank Paper and With
Swfnd1fng and Forgery.

New York, Oct. Sword was re-
ceived here Friday night that F. H.
Crosby, alias A. E. Bell, alias Ham
mond, alias Crawford, had been arrest
ed at Denver, accused of stealing a mail
pouch containing 100000 worth of me-
gotiable bank paper at Philadelphia on
the night of September 8, and with sew
eral other crimes, including swindling
and forgery. 1t is alleged that Crosby
arrived in this country from Grove,
England, last summer and went to AS
bury Park. where he posed as fruit
Spectator. His wife mingled in good
society there and introduced her hus-
band to prominent business men and
at the banks there, where he made de-
posits, declaring to the officials that he
intended continuing his account for the
summer months.
On September 10 he deposited num-
Der of checks, payable to his order,
drawn on different Philadelphia firms
Two days later he closed the accounts,
withdrawing the amounts due him. He
and his wife then left Asbury Park
Asbury Park Banks Heavy Losers.
About this time, it is said, w. w.
Dickson, chief post Office inspector of
Philadelphia, discovered the theft of a
mail pouch containing bank remit
tances from Philadelphia to Pittsburg,
the entire amounts being estimated at
100000
1t Is alleged that during the last ten
days complaints were received at AS
bury Park banks that checks accepted
by them had been tempered with; that
the name of the payees had been erased
and Crosby's name inserted, and that
small amounts had been raised to
larger ones.
Wanted in St. Louis.
1t was recalled that mail pouch had
been stolen at Springfield Junction, H.,
last April, and that an A. E. Ham
mond had opened a cash account at
the Lincoln Trust Co., st. Louis, de-
posting number of checks from the
stolen mail pouch. 1t was suspected
that the mail pouch robbery was COM
mitted by A. E. Bell, alias Crawford.
whose photograph was identified by
the officials of the st. Louis bank.
Investigation at Asbury Park devel-
oped that Crosby was none other than
A. E. Hammond. alias Bell, alias Craw-
ford, etc. Post Office Inspector Jacobs
traced him to Denver, where he was
taken into custody last night.
Crosby is suspected of committing
numerous post Office robberies in New
York, Buffalo and other cities. He
is said to have made a big haul in
Buffalo some time ago, when he dis
guised himself as railway porter and
got off with a pouch.
In 1894, Crosby is said to have been
arrested here, while trying to cash a
1900 check with Maiden Lane jew
eler, and to have been sent to Elmira
reformatory, from which he was re-
leased in 1897.
Through an agreement with the post
Office, Crosby will be surrendered to the
ST. Louis authorities to stand trial ON
charge of swindling.
Served Time in Jefferson City.
Crosby is said to have been arrested
in this city in the company of kid"
Foster, Peoria QllD pickpocket, while
they were attempting to cash draft
for $425 with Marcus G. Co., the Broad
way jewelers.. 1t was afterwards
learned that the draft offered by Cros-
by had been stolen from mail pouch
in the New York Central depot at Buff
falo. For this crime he was sentenced
to five years in Auburn prison, Foster
getting off with three years. Crosby
also served a three-year term in the
Jefferson City (Mo) penitentiary for
similar offense.
The woman who passed as Mrs.
Crosby is said to be western woman,
and has shown considerable skill in
obtaining introductions at banks. Cros-
by halls from Kansas City.