The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-29
POWELL WALKS
INTO WAKE JAIL
Suspect in Jones and
Powell Fraud Case.
HAD POST0FFICE KEYS
Came From Norfolk, Says He is No.
the Man, But is identified by
Baggage Master and
Negro Railroad
Porter.

Two interesting chapters were yesterday
added to the record in the apparent fraud
transaction il the establishing of a second
"Jores & Powell firm in Raleigh.
The first of these was the arrest of Mr..
]. B. Powell of Norfolk, Va, claiming to
ne the father Of the Powell of the Nor
folk manufactured firm OF Jones & Pow
ell but later identified as the man who
had the keys to the postoffice box here,
ard who received the letters addressed to
the firm. He is now in Jail.
The second event was the arrest Of jim
Robertson, a negro porter eff the Seaboard
Air Line as being an accessory in holding
The key to the postonfice box and in taking
cut letters from the box here and deliv-
eng them to Powell in Norfolk. On in
vestigaticn it was found that Robertson
had simply been innocently used" by the
Norfolk end Of the plot and he was re-
leased as an accessory, but held in $500
hail as q witness against the men.
Tie case is this n brief A postoffice
box is rented in Raleigh and mail comes
10 it addressed to Jones g Powell, the
name of long established wood and coal
firm here. CcoG3 are shipTed to the new
Jcres e. Powell in the rating of the old
firm. which gets warning from bills sent
it. An investigation Is begun and the
mail Of the rev firm held, charges OF
fraudulent use OF the United States mail
service being made. J. H Brooks who
says he came from Petersburg. Va. as ar
employee of the new Jones & Powell firm,
after arriving here received the firm
letters ard some freight was arrested
when suspicion pointed out that fraud
vas being perpetrated.
Brooks photographed to ]. B. Powell. OF
Norfolk. and yesterday J. B. Powell came,
county. NJ C. Early yesterday morning
lie learned that Brooks was In Jail and
at once sought Mr.. James II. Pou, head
CT the firm Of Pou & Fuller.
Finding that Powell was here, and nav.
ing elites connecting him with the matter
United States Commissioner Nichols is
sued q warrant for his arrest. These
went to the office of United States Mar
shai H C. Dockery who gave the warrant
to Deputy John DoclSery to serve.
Mr.. H. c. Doc;gery had description? OF
the man he was after ana while he was
in Gierschs Cafe at dinner the man came
in. Word was at once sent to Mr.. John
Dcckery vino arrested the man about
O'Clock as he came out OF the restaurant.
A preliminary hearing vas Tad before
Commissioner Nichols and a bond Of $500
was required of Powell. Re could not
give it and telegraphed to Norfolk fer
aid. No reply came to his telegram, and
he used its long distance phone, but could
net get his friend. He has g gold watch
and a ring which he says IS diamond
one. and talked OF raising money on these,
but did not go to a ieweler to do so.
In the meantime, while Powell was in
Marshal Dockery's office the afternoon
train from Norfolk came in, and Jim
Robertson, the colored porter, was arrest
ed by Deputy John Dociserv, was arrest
ed as an accessory. He was charged with
having the postcffice box key for Jones &,
Powell. and with getting mail for them
here and with delivering it to Powell in
Norfolk
Robertson said this was SO. but that ne
ad only done this as a favor, being tip
ped for it and had no idea Of doing
YEong. His character as a good and re-
liable man was vouched for by Conductor
L. n. Cain and Baggage Master T. Y.
Bunch. of the Seaboard train, on which
Robertson is porter. Commissioners
Nichols released Robertson as an aces
sorry, but held him in 5000 bail as a wit
ness, Captain Cain going on his bond.
Then there was procession from Com
missioner Nichols office to the Federal
building. a party of men looked in the
open door of Marshal Dockery's office, and
Robertson saw J. 3. Powell seated on
lounge.
''That's the man who gave me the
Tostoffiec key. and TO whom [ gave the
letters" said he.
That's the man to whom john C.
Store, Of Henderson, formerly on the Sea-
board Air Line, introduced me to as Mr..
Powell : said Mr. T. v Bunch.
This clinched the matter as to the identi-
ty Of the man getting the Jones G. Powell
nail in Norfolk, and Commissioner Nichols
was Informed. At once he decided that
re would do away with the 5000 bond and
would allow Powell no bond till hearing
IS had before him.