The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-24
IS CHARGED WITH
STEALING $173,O00
Fitzgerald Thought to Be Man
Who Robbed Chicago
Sub treasury.
MAY NOT BE THE MAN.
ARREST is CLAIMED PREMATURE,
AND SOME DOUBT is EXPRESS
ED AS TO STRENGTH OF EVIL
DENCE.

Chicago, Ill, Aug. 24.-George w.
Fitzgerald. of 943 Chase avenue, who
was asserting teller at the United
States subtreasury in this city when
$4,000 was missed nearly two years
ago. was arrested at his home early
Sunday morning.
A warrant was sworn out before
Judge Chetlain by Herbert F. Young,
detective and former newspaper re-
porter, who, after a sensational run in
an automobile, aroused Fitzgerald
from his bed and served the warrant.
Judge Chetlain fixed bail in the sum
of 100000, but after considering GER
tain phases of the case cut it to $50
coo, which, however, Fitzgerald could
not give.
Doubtful Features.
Young says he did not intend to
make the arrest at this time, but did
so on sudden determination in order to
catch possible accomplices, whom.
however, he did not capture. 1t was
because of his sudden impulse that
Judge Chetlain was resorted to, as he
was handler than the federal judge.
The federal authorities were not con-
suited and they refuse to have any
thing to do with the case.
The arrest was made, apparently, on
an allegation that Fitzgerald had ask
ed Colonel II. G. Gano to dispose of a
thousand dollar bill for him. The
missing money was in bills of large de-
nominations. Gano. ii is claimed, no.
titled United States Treasurer Bolden-
week. whose subordinate Fitzgerald
was. and was told to go ahead. 1t is
said a time and place, with concealed
witnesses, were arranged, but nobody
can be found who saw any money
passed, nor has any person claimed to
have received any such bills from F'itz-
gerald.
Said he Specialized.
1t is claimed that after his dismissal
from government service, following
the disappearance of the money, Fitz-
gerald speculated in eggs, but story
that he invested $4,000 is not sub
stantiated. He had some money of his
own. and his wife had an interest in
small estate. il is said.
The fact that he bought a $4,000
| house, which was transferred through
several hands for 81. aroused the sus
picion of the detectives. His attorney
| however. said that Fitzgerald was new
er deeper than $4,000 in the egg spec
ulation, that the house is incumbered
| for $4,000, and that a man of Fitz
gerald's standing would have no diff
Guilty buying a house on such terms.
| Fitzgerald himself says he did MOI
take the money and that his present
arrest is bluff Of the detectives.
When Money Disappeared.
At the time of the disappearance o.
the money Fitzgerald was cIosel.
questioned. but not arrested. AS as
sorting teller he worked in a cage, u
which about a dozen persons in al
had access. The money. in a pile o
$1,000 and $500 bills was to be sen
TO Washington, and much of 1T was Il
be destroyed as mutiIated Severa
workmen around the place were a
first under surveillance, as Fitzgeral,
said the money was in a dark corne
Of his cage and might be reached from
unde meath
1t was at first thought the none,
might have been shipped to Washing
ton, but this was not the case.
United States Treasurer Bolden
weick was held responsible, and a bill
to relieve him was turned down at tn
last session Of Congress.
Captain Thomas /. Porter. head o
the United States Secret Service il
Chicago, said last night that the al