The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-01-08
LONG TRUSTED EMPLoYE CON.
FEssEs HIMSELF THIEF.
AMOUNT TAKEN LARGE ONE
Frank Roberts, Express Messenger on
6iiIings-Red Lodge Run,
Under Arrest.

When the Red Lodge train returned
last evening the express car was lock-
ed and Frank Roberts, the messenger,
was nowhere to be seen. OF course,
much surprise was expressed and at
first it was thought that he had been
taken sick and in consequence was
unable to finish his run. In little
while, however, the truth became
known and the surprise increased
Roberts had remained behind, pris-
oner, having voluntarily given himself
into the custody of the sheriff of Car
bon county on a confession that he
was an embezzler of funds entrusted
to his care. According to report he
is said to have stated that he took
$1,100 from packages sent by the
company.
Roberts is alleged to have admitted
that gambling caused his downfall
and that to his inability to resist the
facinatiOns of the roulette wheel he
owed all his trouble He said that
he had lost all of his own money
and some that he borrowed and still
being loser had resorted to theft in the
hope his fortune might change and
enable him to recoup his losses.
When Roberts surrendered himself
the deputy, to whom he gave himself
up, thought he was merely joking and
refused to believe him in earnest.
Finally the officer became convinced
Of the mans seriousness and took
him into custody, but instead of plac-
ing him in Jail at once permitted
ing him in Jail at once, permitted
nominal arrest Roberts is said to
have been in a condition bordering on
mental collapse and some OF his
friends feared he would attempt to
make way with himself
For about IA years Frank Roberts
covered the run between this city and
Red Lodge and was always regarded
as particularly honest, honorable and
conscientious man and employe and
the news of his downfall has caused
shock to all that Know him, as he
was held in high regard by every one.
Took Large Amount.
Last night Sheriff hubbard was in
telephone communication with Under
Sheriff Gebo Oh Red Lodge, to whom
Roberts surrendered himself At the
instance of the prisoner Mr.. Gebo
communicated with Mr.. Hubbard,
Roberts requesting the latter to see
four men, whom he asked to assist
in making good his shortage, saying
that parties at Red Lodge would con-
tribute to the amount, which he said
was $1,100, although he admitted hav-
ing taken much more.
AS told at this end it is claimed
that Roberts confessed to the Carbon
county officer that he appropriated
a package containing $500 in gold,
N
which was in transit between Red
Lodge and Helena, and seemingly had
it cached somewhere, for he is said to
have made the statement that if the
$1,100 could be raised he was in a
position to refund the balance.
Although he has received no inti-
fysov ~ ~
tend doing, Mr. Hubbard is doubtful
whether the men to whom Roberts
made the appeal will go to his assist
ance, as the sum he asks is too large.
A story told on the streets today
has it that several days ago Roberts
exhibited two pistols to some of his
asquaintances with the remark that
he might be arersted before the day
was over and in that event would
use the weapons to kill himself.
Still Another Version.
A Red Lodge special to Butte pa.
per gives another version OF the mat
ter. Mr.. Roberts himself made no
effort to conceal the details OF the
affair, says the dispatch. He said,
when interviewed, that he had been
experiencing heavy losses at the rou.
lette wheel in Billings, and that Tues
day evening he sought to retrieve
himself at the table
He claims he first took the contents
of IS package. Then when this