The Washington times., 1907-01-11
GRAND JURORS
TO SIGN FATE
OF LETCHMERE
Man Accused of Museum
Theft Is Held in
$1,000 Bond.

Arraigned on charge OF stealing a
number of exhibits OF diamond crystals
and gold dust from the National Mu-
scum Edwin Letchmere pleaded not
guilty, was given q preliminary hear
ing, and held under $1,000 bond for the
action of the grand jury by Judge Null
ing.
The accused man was represented by
Attorney Earl Ambrose, who Insisted
that the Government had not made a
sufficient showing on which Letchmere
could be held for the action OF the grand
jury.
Admits Having Goods.
Nj. Ambrose admitted that the de-
fendant had the crystals and gold dust
IN his possession at the time OF his
arrest and IL was not gainsaid that
Letchmere told the detectives 10 md
out where he got them. Letchmere' s
reply 20 the detectives questions as
10 how he came into possession Of the
gems was passed upon as correct from
his standpoint. but Judge MulloWny
said further Inquiry would have TO
be made by the grand jury.
Prof George r. Merrill head curator
OF the Geological Department of the
Museum. was he first witness called.
AAN 1lAAAA A4E -alsA AAlai &c OF the EAnlHlAn
IN the museum, and added that there
We're several hundred thousand speci-
mems IN the various glass cases.
Missed Specimens.
Asked If he missed any of the sraci
mems ne replied that on Monday he
learned from the superintendent Of the
building that a quantity OF gold dust,
sponge gold, amalgam. platinum. and
other rough products had been removed
from the cases
on Saturday Of last week he dis
covered the loss of half a dozen rough
mOnds. Several OF them were pur-
chased by Prof Merrill for the Pan
American Exposition. and one OF Two
We're presented to the museum Tie
said the crystals were not suitable fer
gem purposes. bat were Used as teeth
Tor diamond drills Prof Merrill de-
ciared the crystals and other property
shown him by Assistant District At
IOrpey Ralph Given were the property
OF the United States and committed TO.
his custody.
Before leaving the witness stand Prof.
Merrill told OF identifying the gems
after they were recovered by Detectives
Hewlett, Pratt, McNamee, and Helan,
OF the Central Once.
Doodle in Pockets.
Detective NcNamee was next called.
He told of admissions made by Letch-
mere after the latter was taken prisoner.
Letchmere, at the time of his arrest.
is said 10 have had a quantity OF sill
Yer and platinum in his pockets. Nc
Nance says he asked the prisoner where
he got the metal Letchmere smiled
and said. You prove where / got them.
/ might have bought them"
Detective Hewlett said he searched
LetchmeTe, ana found nve diamond
crystals. The prisoner said he could
have bought these also. Hewlett said
Letchmere was closely questioned IN the
presence OF Prof Merrill, another eX-
pert from the museum Inspector Board
man, Detectives McNamee and Pratt
He was pressed for any answer as TO
the whereabouts OF a large crystal he
had in his possession. L.etchmere Is ac-
credited with having given the informa-
ton that the crystal was paWned at
a local shop The detectives immedi-
ately went 10 the shop and found the
crystal, which was at once identified by
Prof Merrill.
In His Own Defense.
LeIchmere took an active part in his
defense and seemed acquainted with
the law He is a small man with blonde
hair ard mustache. He appears 10 be
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