The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-03
LONG RECORD OF CRIME
Stands Against Man Arrested for
Stealing a Mail Pouch.

New York, Oct Sword was re-
ceived here last night that F. H Crosby,
alias A. E. Bell, alias Harmon, alias
Crawford had been arrested at Denver
accused of stealing a mail pouch con-
tanning 100000 worth of negotiable
bank paper a Philadelphia on the night
of September and with several other
crimes including swindling and forgery
1t is alleged that Crosby arrived in this
city from Grove, England, last summer
and went to Asbury Park, n. j., where
he posed as a fruit specuIator. His
wife mingled in good society there and
introduced her husband to prominent
business men and at the banks where
he made deposits. declaring to the Off
Gals he intended continuing his ac-
count for the summer months.
On September 10, it is said, he de-
posted a number of checks, payable
to his order drawn on different Phila-
delphia firms. Two days later he closed
the accounts, Withdrawing the amounts
due him. He and his wife then left
Asbury Park.
About this time it is said J. w. Dick
son, chief postoffice inspector of Phil
adeIphia, discovered the theft of mail
pouch containing bank remittanceS
from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, the en-
tire amounts being estimated at $780,
900.
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.
1t was recalled that a mail pouch had
been stolen a t Springfield Junction, Ill,
last April, and that an A T. Ham m
mOnd had opened a cash account at the
Lincoln Trust Co. St. Louis, depOSltlng
a number OF checks from the stolen
mail pouch. 1t was suspected that the
mail pouch robbery was committed Dy
A E. Bell. alias Crawford. whose pho
tograph identified by the officials
of the St Louis bank
Investigation at Asbury Park deVel-
oped that Crosby was none other than
A F. Hammond, alias Bell, alias
Crawford. etc. Postoffice Inspector
Jacobs traced him to Denver. where he
was taken into custody last night
Crosby is suspected of committing
numerous Dostoffice robberies in New
York Buffalo, and other cities. He is
said to have made a big haul in Buff
falo some time ago, when he disguised
himself as a railway porter and got off
with pouch.
In 1894 Crosby is said to have been
arrested here while trying to cash a
81 200 check with a 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 department he viii be surrendered
to the st. Louis authorities to stand
trial on charge of swindling.
Crosby is said to have been arrested
in this city in the company of KID For-
ter, a Peoria pickpocket, while they
were attempting to cash a draft for
1925 with Marcus & Co. the Broadway
jewelers.. 1t was afterward learned the
draft offered by Crosby had been stolen
from mail pouch in the New York
Central station at Buffalo For this
crime he was sentenced to five years in
Auburn prison. Foster getting off with
three years. Crosby also served three
years term in the Jefferson City Mo-,
prison for a similar offense.
The woman who passes as Mrs. Crosby
is said to be a western woman and has
shown much skill in obtaining introduce
ton at banks. Crosby halls from Kan
sas CITY