The Saint Paul globe., 1904-07-14
ACCUSE WI STINE
Of GRAND LARCENY
Former Chief Clerk to Omaha's
General Manager Locked Up
on Grave Charge

William I. Stine, formerly chief clerk
to the general manager of the Chicago,
st. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha, occu-
pies a cell in the central police station
on the charge of having stolen $4,000
worth OF railroad bonds belonging to
the estate of Walter A. Scott, until his
death general manager of the Omaha.
Stine refuses TO talk.
James P Murphy, reliant tailor,
$685. Wabasha street, admits that he
negotiated the bonds in the East, but
contends that he did SO as an inno-
cent party, believing that Stine pos
sessed the right to make the sale.
Murphy is not under arrest, although
he has been served with notice by
Chief Of Police O'Connor that he
should be prepared to furnish bail.
Murphy makes a brief statement him
self, and through friend gives more
detailed account Of his transactions
with Stine
Stine was locked in the central sta
ton Tuesday night, on the charge of
having stolen the $4,000 worth of
bonds, being quietly taken to a cell
without being booked, strict orders
having been previously given that
nothing be said of his detention This
was after he had for some days been
under surveillance and after he had
been questioned by officers and sew
eral persons otherwise connected with
the case, during which time he had
maintained that he knew nothing of
the disappearance of the bonds Even
when formally arrested and made
aware of the fact that J. P. Murphy
had made a full statement of the dis
position of the bonds, Stine persisted
in his contention that he was innocent
of the offense.
Murphy Makes Disclosure
Murphy's statement to Chief of Po-
lice O'Connor, which resulted in the
arrest, was clear. He admitted having
received eight $1,000 railroad bonds
from Stine and told of the three trips
he had made to the East to dispose OF
the securities. Although Murphy was
released after he made his statement.
he was informed by the chief that he
was liable TO be arrested and advising
him that if he did not care to go 10
Jail it would be proper for him to ar
range to give bail. The chief held that.
although Murphy's statement was ap-
parently borne out by all the facts so
sale of securities under such circur1-
stances might result in his being
charged with completely.
The discovery of the crime was
caused by Judge Otis, the admins
traitor OF the estate of Mr.. Scott. who
found listed as being on hand eight
eLO9O Southern Pacific bonds, a spe-
c-es of commercial paper that passes
from hand to hand without attracting
was without result, Stine claiming
that he knew nothing of the where
abOuts Of the securities. There was
no reason to suspect Stine until a few
days ago four of the eight bonds turn
ed up in New York They were traced
from there TO Pittsburg. at which
place the clew was discovered that led
to the arrest of Slime
II was said in Pittsburg that James
p Murphy. of St Paul, had negotiated
the bonds. Murphy was at once taken
TO the central police station. where he
told the chief of police the story of his
connection with the affair." Within
snort time the warrant was issued
against Slime Stine took the arrest
coolly, remGrking that the affair would
be Strengthened out in a few days.
Slime Stands Pat
After Stines formal arrest an effort
was made to keep the facts from the
public, II being the opinion of those
concerned that Stine was still in the
possession of major portion of the
money realized from the sale of the
bonds Up to last night all efforts to
induce him 10 disgorge had proven un-
awaiting, although it had not been dis
covered where he had spent any un-
usual amount of money since the bonds
were sold.
II is believed that Slime took the
10
death ana had carefully prepared for
their disposal, evidently possessing the
knoWledge that the only manner in
which such bonds could be traced
would be through the number each
bore. Not daring TO place the entire
eight on the market at one time he sent
them East on three different occasions
On his first trip Murphy took with him
Two or the bonds, on the second two.
and on the third four. The securities
were sold at about so, which would
mean that the deal netted in the neigh
borhood of s6,4O0.
While the bonds We're being dis
posed of. and for more than a year
afterwards, Stine continued in his no.
sition, and even secured railroad trans
portatton for Murphy's trips East
through his connection with the office
OF the general manager of the Omaha.
Until the latter part Of last month
pected OF wrong-doing, but about that
time 1t was discovered that he had
sold pass that had been issued in an
assumed name, and for this was asked
for his resignation He claimed so
vehemently that there was some mis-
take that he was allowed to remain in
the position for some days after the
discovery. When the offense was
brought home TO him, however, he was
forced TO leave the position The rev
elations as TO the bonds came but a
few days afterwards
S \DecIines to Talk
When see ,his cell Slime refused
absolutely to cuss the case. He had
been allowed to see his wife but few
minutes previously and it was notice.
able that there was a break in his voice
and suspicion OF tears in his ewes.
Asked If he had anything to say con-
cerning the serious charge that had
been made against him he asserted that
he had agreed not to discuss the mat
ter and that for the present he would
preserve silence
But ]. P. Murphy says that he dis