Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-26
Robbers Make Big Haul
at Chicago Sub-tIeasury.
Between S175,00O and $780,.
600 In Cash Missing.
Rigid Investigation Being Made.
Officers Have Clue.

Chicago. Feb. 25.-The Tribune today
says: Somewhere between $4,000 and
100000 was stolen from the local sub
treasury last week.
Chief Wilkie of the United States Sc
secret service mas been keeping in
formed by telephone and telegraph of
every development in the case and will
leave Washington today to take per-
sonal charge of the investigation made
by the authorities.
Secretary Shaw OF the treasury de-
partment was told of the gigantic theft
when here last week and was in con-
ference with Sub-treasurer William
Boldenwcck and secret service officials.
The money was stolen either a week
ago Saturday. the next day. or last
Monday. The chances are it was alb
suracted on Monday. The loss was dis
covered Tuesday.
All the money was in bills of the de-
nomination Of $1,000. $4,000 and $4,000.
AT first it was believed that there
must be some error in the bookkeeping.
It was thought to be impossible that
such n large sum of money could have
been distracted in face Of all the safe
guards thrown around Uncle Sans
strong box.
The ledger men strenuously denied
any error and an investigation showed
there was no possible clerical mistake
to account for the disappearance of the
cash. This brought the inevitable con-
clusion that robbery was the only cx-
PLANTATION. Just as certain was the de-
duction that the thieves were employ
es Of the sub-treasury and We're at that
moment pursuing their daily tasks.
Every man who could had anything
to do with the case was called into
Treasurer Boldenweck's office and put
through an exhaustive examination and
still more rigid cross-examination.
Captain Porter, Of the secret service,
assisted.
They stood the ordeal All denied
knowledge Of the theft and protested
their innocence. But it was obvious that
someone was lying. The chances were
1860 to l that one or more of the en-
ploycs .,iu ~ had purloined the cash
or had r.Ir.l5-st at the theft by some
outsider.
Day by day since then the inveStiSa-
ton has been kept UP. Saturday there
came gimner Of light. A faint clue
pointed in the direction of certain
clerk and that, followed up, directed
the finger Of suspicion to another en-
ploye, a close associate OF the hrSt man
These men Were summoned. Inc SuS-
picious circumstances against them
were paradcd the certainty of detection
and punishment vas impressed upon
them and they We're advised to make Il
clean breast of whatever part they hai
played in the conspiracy.
One thought to be the moving spirit,
came through the ordeal calm and SELL
possessed The officers put him down
as innocent or a master hand Of Grim
inality.
The other. younger. showed signs Of
breaking down. Just what he admit
ted. the secret service rI"n refused 30
disclose. but it is believed 20 10" tanta-
mount to a confession. The admissions
he made started the i0VcStiGat DIS into
renewed activity. Half Il dozen detcc-
tiyes started out and TIE results are
expected soon.
Every employee Of the office is under
surveillance day ana night. and anoul
one or more Of them prove TO be tn
thief or thieves, escape viii be lnpo3-
sibIe. All have reported for work daily
since the discovery was made. Every
man is under bond.
That the robbery was committed dur
ing working hours is almost certain
". The plumber could have been con-
cealeG i'll two vests pockets. The huge
vault of the Sub-trcaSury is construct
ed of many layers of chilled steel AMI
has n number of doors which must be
passcd before the entrance is secured
to the apartment containing the money
The theft of money which had once
got into the vault has been regarded
as an imposSibility. Each Of the three
doors is governed by Il time lock and
cannot be opened except during bust
ness hours.
During the day only the outer of the
three doors is kept closed but even in
business hours opening Of this door
by anyone entering the vault rings an
electric hell So that should Il sneak
thief attempt to enter the vault the
whole office force would receive warn
ing.
Sub-TreaSurer Boldenwcck today adj
mitted that a theft of $4,000 had been
perpetrated but refused to go into de-
tails. He said: I'VE discovered the
shortage last Wednesday. There is
possibility that the shortage is due to
an error of n bookkeeper, hut | am in
clined to believe that a robbery has
been committed