Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-03

TO pay off employees This turned the con-
versation to criminal exploits, and Proctor
related the circumstances of the express
robbery at Susquehanna some years be-
fore. Donahue showed great interest, and
inquired how 1t happened that the express
company had so large sum of money az
Susquehanna. Proctor explained about the
extensive railroad shops there, and incl
dentally remarked that the same system of
paying the hands was still in practice. Don
alue then requested Proctor to ascertain
for him how much money was being ship
ped each month at that time, the day of
shipment, the train, the kind of. safe used
on that train and full details about the lock
whether opened by a combination or a
key. Donahue professed that his only mo-
tive in seeking information was curiosity,
and Proctor promised to learn what he
could
1t was about fortnight after this that
the two men met again. Proctor having Sc
cured all the facts about the monthly
transfer of money from New York 10 SuS-
quehanna. These he conffded to Donahue,
who seemed greatly pleased at the report.
lie showed Proctor the greatest attention,
spending money freely. Then he pressed
Proctor with further questions. asking how
the money was wrapped up, what kind OF
pouch it was carried in and SO on. Finally
he came out bIuntly with the opinion that
Proctor was a fool TO waste his time work.
ing in a dirty shop when he might be liv-
ing in luxury. Then. seeing that the fore
man took no great umbrage at this sugges-
ton he asked him II he could get an i'm
preston of the safe key and also one of the
key of the door of the ticket office After
some show of reluctance, Proctor finally
consented to try.
X
Returning to Susquehanna, Proctor took
advantage of his friendship with employees
about the ticket Office to get possession of
the keys long enough to take the desired
4 =.
hue, in whose service he was now fully en-
listed. Donahue wrote back, expressing
satisfaction, and saying that he and another
man, named Collins had paid secret
visit to Susquehanna and had found every
thing as Proctor had represented. A little
later Proctor went to Canada again, and
was introduced to Collins. At this meeting
1t was arranged that Donahue should pro-
cure a canvas bag like the one used by
the express company. and that dummy
money package should be placed inside so
that substitute nmight be effected on the
arrival of the next shipment. Proctor was
to take no active part In the robbery, but
was instructed to return home and continue
at his work. showing no concern, whatever
happened.
s.If there's an earthquake at Susquenanna
when pay day comes around you don't
know anything about it, do you under
stand?" Such was the final order given
to Proctor. and he obeyed it implicitly.
A month passed, and, hearing nothing
Proctor went TO CanaQd again, ana ldd
another talk with his two confederates.
They told him that they had gone to. Sus-
quehanna prepared to do the job" but
had learned, accidentally, that tile money
that month had been sent in gold, which
would have been too heavy for them to
carry away, and they had therefore decided
TO wait until month later.
This was in May, and the following month
the robbery occurred. Two weeks later
Proctor went to Canada, and received ILL.,
600 as his share of the plumber. Donahue
and Collins explained to him that he did
not receive more because they had been
obliged to give fourth share to another
man who had worked with them. They
cautioned him not to spend a dollar of the
stolen money for months to- come. as the
detectives would be always on the lookout
for suspicious circumstances. They also adj
vised Elm to continue at his work under
no circumstances giving up his position
within q year.
Proctor had strictly followed these sug-
gestions, living and working as he had
done before the robbery, and not spending
any part of his portion. Having changed
the money into large bills and sealed 1t up
In fruit Jar. so that the moisture could
not injure il. he buried the Jar head down
ward III his garden. Tlaera 1t remained yl11-
foascfaeA fof moxkh Rut Wlen Tie segssre