Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-11-08
Theft OF Federal
Letters Charged
WOMAN sTENoGRAPHER OF DIS.
TRIcT ATTORNEY SIMS AND
MAN ARRAlGNED.
FORMER SAID TO HAVE
MADE A CONFESSION
Mysterious Disappearance Of Import.
ant Records in Walsh Case Caused
suspicion-Man Offered to Sell
information.

Information.
Chicago, Nov. miss Eta L. Nc.
Lean, stenographer in the office Of
District Attorney Sims, and Alexander
B. Gordee, who were arrested Thurs
day evening, charged with conspiracy
to steal letters from Mr.. Sims office.
were arraigned Friday before Com
missioner Foote. Miss Mclean, ear
lier in the day, is reported to have
made confession, recounting how
the scheme was worked. AS Gordee
stepped up to the commissioners desk,
John 8. Miller, attorney for John r.
Walsh, thought he recognized him, so
he told Mr. Sims, as a man who a
week ago offered to sell him informa-
ton regarding the governments plans
in the case against the former bank
err. The offer, according to Mr.. Miller,
was refused.
Decoy Letter Brings Arrest.
The arrest of Miss Mclean and Cor
dee followed discovery by secret
service men that she had taken a du-
plicate copy of decoy letter, die
tated by Mr.. Sims, addressed to At
torney General Bonaparte and pur-
porting to deal with intimate matters
relating to the Walsh case, and con-
cealed the copy in her dress.
How Girl Worked Scheme.
The girls method of operation, as
she is quoted az having explained II.
follows:
When important papers were given
to me to copy I would take them 10
my typewriter, and, instead OF making
only two copies, l would slip in an
extra carbon sheets and make three
copies.
Il have worked in many Offices
through the east and am fast opera
tor. l was able to get the work done
before anyone noticed 1t. After fin
ished the copying would conceal the
extra copy and return the other pa
pers to Mr.. Sims or whoever had given
me the job.
Saws He's Not Exactly Engaged.
COrdee said he came to Chicago
about II months ago and met Miss
Mclean couple of months later. He
said they were sweethearts.
Are you engaged to be married?"
he was asked
No, not exactly" he said. eve
were sweethearts. though never saw
her before l came to Chicago, but
since | have been living at the same
house where she boards I have taken
her to parties and to the theater and
other places of amusement very fre-
quently."
Woman First Confused.
Miss Mclean was closeted with
Capt. T. l. Porter of the secret serv-
ice and District Attorneys Childs and
Dobyns in Capt. Porter's office early.
and it was reported that she gave a
detailed confession of her part in the
of letters from the dis
trict attorneys office, but she de-
MED that she had taken the letters for
the purpose of turning them over to
Walsh or his attorneys.
When she appeared in Commission
er Foote'S courtroom her eyes were
red with weeping, and she lowered
them in some confusion when she
came face to face with Mr.. Sims She
wore blue suit and a large black
nat. Her pallor contrasted sharply
with her dark hair. She recovered her
,omposure quickly, and when called
% Mr.. Foote'S desk her manner was
calm and alert. She had no legal
counsel, and said she did not care
or anybody to defend her Gordee
vas represented by Attorney Charles
VI. Thompson.
Il suppose you are familiar with
he charges against you," said the com
missioner, addressing the defendant.
Gordee replied that he desired time
o consult his attorney, and the hear.
ng was postponed.
Annoyed for Several Weeks.
The government attorneys have been
for several weeks by the dis
appearance from the Office of COPIES
II letters and records relating to the
Walsh case. 1t was known the copies
lad been taken. and when later they
we're called for they could not be
ound.
After the formal charges of pur.
dining government papers had been
made, Miss Mclean was released in
'onds of $4,000. Gordee was taken
0 the county Jail Miss Mclean was
mployed last April. She is said to
ave come well recommended and to-
ave been selected from a number of.
pplicants who responded TO an adj.
ertlsement for q! steAographer.