The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-08-28
ARRESTED FOR Theft
OF $4,000; EXPLAINS
Fitzgerald Claims He Is limo
cent of Stealing from the
Government.

Chicago, Aug. 26.-George W. Fitz-
gerald, arrested yesterday on a charge
States ~subtreasury in 1907, was adj
mitted to ball today. Counsel for the
defendant pleaded for an Immediate
hearing, but the court postponed ex-
animation until August 81, to allow the
states attorney to collect further evil
dence,
IT have not a nickel that does not
belong to me- exclaimed Fitzgerald.
He gave his attorneys an explanation
of The money he used In speculation.
When he was discharged from the gov
ernment's employ he declared he had
81, 900. His wife possessed about 1900
and later he inherited between $4,000
and $4,000. His egg speculations began
with an investment of only 5000, he as
serted. as he had only to put up sufa-
cent margins to cover the probable
fluctuations in prices. This deal netted
and togther they made up q pool of
IS. 900 by the use of which they made
some profit. AS to the home purchased,
he said 1t was offered for $4,000 with
81, 900 mortgage. He n Mrs. Fitzger-
aid secured the property by paying
down $4,000.
Government Fails to ACT.
The evidence against Fitzgerald was
worked up by a private detective
agency and no move was made by the
government authorities In court today.
der Assistant United States Treasurer
Boldenweck. Suspicion at the time of
the theft. February 20. 1907. rested on
him, but 80 plausible was his story and
so Intense his apparent interest in dis
covering the real culprit that interest
ceased to center in him. Much work
was one on the theory that the crime
had been perpetrated by a colored IA
Meanwhile Fitzgerald was discharged
from the government employ for Gull
pablo negligence for allowing such a
theft to be contaminated under his
very eyes. The money stolen had been
used and was tied in packages, some
Of which had been marked for destruc-
tion at Washington. Any of the bills
would readily nave passed anywhere
except for their large denominations.
Mono OF h bills was under $500. n
some We're OF the $1,000 and $4,000 de-
nominations. the 81, 900 ones predom-
mating.
Sensation In Country.
The theft created a sensation
throughout tho country. and congress
at h last session was asked n re-
fused to release Assistant Treasurer
B~oldenweck from liability. although 1t
was promised that congress would
again consider the matter at it's next
session.
Meanwhile Herbert r. Young. a for
mer Chicago newspaper reporter, n
now I0dU OI lIlc IOulls ScCICL I9SItlCG
agency, became Interested in the case,
at first without official connection, but
later as the agent-of Mr.. B~oldenweck.
Mr.. Young's attention was redirected
to Fitzgerald. The latter, pom his dis
charge from the s~ubtreasury. stated
that his whole fortune consisted of 5000
in cash and q stock certificate for 81, 200.
His wife had q 500 interest in the
estate OF her mother, which raj valued
at about $1,000 and was in litigation.
Young, embarked in speculation on a
scale not consistent with the size Of his
reputed There was, however,
no ostentation in Fitz.erald's life. The
lavish display which detectives in
variably look for in tracing stolen
eggs for speculation and stored them.
5000 in EGG Deal.
In July, 1907. he inaugurated an cgg
deal which ultimately, 1t Is stated, in
volved an expenditure Of $1,000, and the
following March q similar deal involved
him. according to Mr.: Young, to the
extent Of $4,000. Incidentally the for
mer teller had become the possesor in
his wife's name of a neat brick resi-
dence in Rogers Park, a suburb of Chi
cago. and valued at $500. Mr.. Young
declared h q this purchase was made
several hands, and finally into those of
Mrs. Fitzgerald for q consideration
Of 81.
Last July the scent is said to have
become hot when Colonel Harry c.
Gano. superintendent of A.. Booth 4
Co.., a business man OF prominence and
public spirit, reported to MI. Bolden-
Fitzgerald was an asserting teller an
week, 1t was said. hat Mr., Fitzgerald
had approached him with a proposition
to pass several $1,000 bills.
After comforting with Mr.. Bolaen-
wQCE Colonial Cann continued ~npUnt}a-
lions with Fitzgerald. with h result
that by prearrangement, Detective
Young says, several witnesses We're Sc
cretly present when the former teller
proposed to pass two $1,000 bills to Col
onel Gano.
II will bring two" Fitzgerald is al.
legged to have said, flor you can get rid
Of two just as well as one"
So far as known Fitzgerald was not
seen to PASS any of the large bills.
Arrest 10 Made.
Deciding it was best to delay no
from Judge Chetlain and raced to Fitz-
gerald's Rogers Park home in an auto
mobile. Fitzgerald appeared at the
door in his nightgown and a pair of
trousers. Mrs. Fitzgerald stood at the
top Of the stairs with white face and
read the warrant. Fitzgerald listened
to the reading with composure, kissed
his two young children goodby and left
his almost hysterical~wife to enter the
automobile with the officers.
They've caught him at last: they've
caught him ut last!" is the exclama-
ton which Detectives Kinder and
Young declare came from the lips of
Mrs. Fitzgerald in the a hysterical
state into which she fell when she
comprehended the object of the officers
visit.
Fitzgerald himself merely remarked:
IT suppose YOU want me to GO to jail;
cues I'd better go along"
It is recalled that the first intimation
that any of h subtreasury officials
had of a shortage was when Fitzgerald.
who had been a government employee
for seven years. walked from his cage
over to the cashier, r. c. Russell, and
told him that he was short STA. 900.
What is that? Short $173,O00? Why,
man, what is the matter with you?''
II am not fooling, Mr.. Russell; I tell
you that I am short $17S.000.,
An examination OF Flrzgerlad's books
showed hat the shortage was not q
Anrn pprArprp