The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-02

fan EW YORK.-Under William ].
tMt Flynn, head of the secret serv-
UW ice agents of the department OF
the East secret service men are
searching New York and surrounding
cities and towns for man who gave
his name as Samuel Warren Mllier'
said to he an Alaskan mine owner,
promoter and man of large wealth..
If this man can be found it is believ- I
ed that light will be thrown on the
robbery of the Manhattan Savings in
stitution. No. 644 Broadway, which, on
the night of Oct. 81, 1878, was robbed
of United States government bonds
valued at $2,757,700.
Under arrest in connection with the
turning I'D of one of the stolen bonds,
value $4,000, are the following men:
Lewis o. Wilcoxson, NJ. D., who rep
resents himself as a capitalist and pro-
moter of mining interests in the Klon-
dixie regions of Alaska, who has been
a resident of Chicago, but has made
his home for the greater part of the
last three years at the Waldorf-Astoria
hotel in this city, where he has lived
with his wife and a young child; JOS
eph A. Taylor promoter and broker,
living in White Plains, n. Y, and
James A. Smith, promoter and broker,
living at the Broadway Central, hotel,
who says that he came to this city
from Mobile, Ala, about three years
ago.
The bonds received was presented to
the Aetna National bank, Warren and
Greenwich streets, for a 4 per cent
loan of $4,000. The bank officials saw
at once that the bond was genuine
but because of it's age they decided 10
investigate and a messenger was sent
to the subtreasury, where Mr.. u. W.
Marion, deputy assistant United States
treasurer, was asked to investigate It's
number and value. Mr.. Marion at once
communicated with Capt. Flynn.
Flynn Hurries to Bank
Capt Flynn hurried to the Aetna
bank, and there found James A. Smith,
who had presented the forged bond,
and who had been asked to wait while
the consol was referred to the treasury
officials. When questioned by Capt.
Flynn Smith told a straight story to
the effect that Joseph A. Taylor,
friend of his, had brought him into
contact at the Waldorf-Astoria with
DR.. Wilcoxson, and that the latter had
authorized him to negotiate loan for
$500 with the bond as collateral.
Smith and Taylor were to divide a
commission of 5000 equally between
them for the trouble. Smith protested
that he had no knowledge whatever
that the bond was not perfectly regu-
lar.
peared that the alleged Samuel War
rem Miller had on Monday morning
transferred to DR.. WilcoXson the $10,-
600 bond, indorsing 1t properly, and
that the transaction was effected in
the presence Of w. L. Meyer, president
of the Shoe and Leather National
bank at 271 Broadway.
Smith explained that Wilcoxson and
Taylor were awaiting him at the Wal
dorf-Astoria in the hope that he would
bring the money back with him. Capt.
Flynn then started with Smith to the
Waldorf after telephoning to Agents
Henry and Klenke to meet him there.
Taylor was found. He was dumfound-
ed when he learned that the bond was
part of the loot of the bank robbery. |
He said that WilcoXson was at the |
theater and would be back later.
When Wilcoxson returned and was
confronted by the secret service men
he was equally surprised. He was ex-
cited when told that he would likely
be accused of conspiracy in connection
with the forged bond, and that such
offense, If proved, might entail q fif-
teen year prison sentence or fine OF
$4,000.
Questioned IN regard to Samuel
Warren Miller, DR.. Wilcoxson ex-
planned that Miller is man whom he
met years ago in the Klondike and
whom he saw repeatedly on the trail
and in Dawson City and Skaguay. The
doctors story was that Miller had ap-
peared several days ago at the Wal
dorf and renewed his acquaintance
with Wilcoxson; that he had expressed
a desire to purchase an interest
amounting to about 100000 in Will
coXsons Valdez copper lands. WILCOX
son was ready to sell and readily as
scented when Miller offered to make the
entire payment in United States per
cent bonds.
"On Monday morning" said the doc
tor, Il accepted the bond, and know
ing that to make it negotiable it would
have to be certified at a national bank,
Miller and 1 went together to the Shoe
and Leather bank, where l have had an
account for some time, and / intro
duced Miller to Mr.. Meyer, who re-
marked that the security was gilt
edged and affixed his signature and
the banks seal to certify the transfer.
I have not seen Miller since Monday
afternoon, when we parted here at the
waldorf. Our understanding then was |
that he was to see me again in a few |
days, when he would turnover the 9TH |
er nineteen bonds and receive from me |
his copper stock.
Wilcox gave to Capt. Flynn what |
purported to be a description of his !
Klondike friend Miller, but he had not |
the slightest idea where Miller had |
gone after leaving the Waldorf-As- |
toria.
The three men were arraigned be- !
fore Commissioner Shields. Wilcoxson |
was held in the sum of $4,000, and, be- |
ing unable to furnish the amount, was
committed to the Tombs.
Nearly Three Millions involved
Samuel Warren Miller is still among
the missing. In the meantime the ar
rests and the temperance of the bonds |
have revived interest in one of the |
most remarkable crimes in America. |
That some one man is the custodian |
of the government bonds and other Sc
curities stolen from the Manhattan in |
stitution is the opinion of Thomas F. |
Byrnes, former inspector of police, by |
whose efforts every member of the band |
to the last man suspected of completely
In the crime was at one time or an |
other taken into custody. He, as does
no other living man, knows the facts !
connected with it to the most minute |
detail. Years ago securities to the |
amount of $4,000 were offered for sale, |