Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-14

NM the world. L ne watch
Wi NJ full eyes OF trusted
officials upon this
Y treasury during the
day and it is protected
by great bolts and bars
and a large outside force of watchmen at night.
robbery under such conditions seems quite
impossible, and yet one OF considerable magnl-
tude did occur there in broad daylight and III the
presence of officials General Francis t.
Spinner Treasurer at the time. and was probably
more chagrined and appalled, on account of this
occurrence than because OF any OF the happenings
during his official regime. 1t of the most
daring and successfully executed schemes of valny
that came to my knowledge during my service as
chief of the Government force Had the man COM
uniting the robbery been possessed OF a hypnotic
power to close completely the eyes of dozen or
more persons at the moment, he could scarcely
have been successful IN accomplishing his
purpose.
number of men and women soourling in Wash
ngton for brief period had received through the
courtesy of their member OF Congress permission
to visit the Government Printing Bureau and Gen
eral Spinner's cash division. At time when these
visitors ascending the steps of the Treasury
Department the lth-st side they We're met by a
distinguished appearing man. fashlonaby dressed.
and wearing broad brmmed Panama hat, who
received them most cordially. From his manner
and appearance the visiting party supposed him
t, be a treasury official who there to escort
them through the department. Singing out one Of
the women, he offered her his and led the way
directly to the cash division. As the party passed
along the corridor. the man with the big Panama
hat bowed to the right and left and smiled graciousl
upon person they CHANGED to meet.
Their Distinguished Visitor
THE treasury officials evidently viewed him as
one of the distinguished visitors There seemed to
have been mutual misunderstanding the
status of this Tall and stately with coun-
tenance that serene and we'll moduated
voice, it would have seemed presumptuous the
part of anyone to have questioned him. 50 he passed
along unchalenged, and all paid him marked atten-
ton General Spinner received his guests this
occasion with unusual courtesy. he had been
notified of their intended The the
Panama hat was foremost in everything He was a
most charming converSatlonallst and quite familiar
with the affairs of the Government in general, the
printing and cash division in particular. The wo-
men lowered about him he explained every exhibit
that excited their curiosity. After time he bowed
gracefully to those with whom he conversing
and excusing himself for few moments. stepped
out of the room. past several doorkeepers into the
corridor All were looking for his immediate return.
While commenting the strangers accomplish
rlents and good looks. as women sometimes Will,
the discovery suddenly made that twenty
thousand dollar package of ten-dollar treasury
notes missing from its number. Packages OF
money, they come from the printing bureau, are
placed upon the table according to their denoIIn4-
tons and the serial numbers of the bills.
There great CONSERVATION among the
officials and visiting party. The package gone.
There was chance for a mistake. Each looked
at the other with suspicious glances The treasury
officials puzzled: the visitors. Some
one inquired. Where is the man with the big
Panama hat:
The treasury officials looked inquirngly at the
treasury officials. y repetition Of the question
brought out the fact that neither the treasury
officials the visitors knew the suspected
person. If he the thief. he certainly had great
nerve and wonderful self command SO adroity and
boldly to execute crime of this kind. The alarm
given. City officials and detectives on foot
and in carriages the chase. Every nook
and corner of the city immediately searched
every train and every public conveyance was
watched; but to no purpose. The mysterious
stranger was nowhere TO be found. Had he sunk