The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

'Ss'f~"sS "SAS eoiHS ioIWdTu anu
1t was deemed best to waste no time
in securing the man charged with be-
ing the principal
The case being one properly under
federal jurisdiction. a United States
commissioner was first sought, but
none could be found. Assistant States
ATTORNEY Barbour was next approach
ed, and shortly after midnight, this
morning Judge Chelain at his home
Issued a bench warrant for the arrest
of Fitzgerald. charging him with the
larceny Of $17s.00O from the govern
ment vaults.
Detective Young, with Detective
Joseph Kinder Of the States attor-
ney's ONCE, climbed into high power
automobile and sped to Rogers Park
Fitzgerald appeared at the door in
his night gown and pair Of trousers,
MrA Fitzgerald standing at the top
Of the stairs with white face and
strained eyes. while Detective Kinder
read the warrant. Fitzgerald listened
to the reading with composure, kissed
his two young children goodbye and
left his almost hysterical wife to
enter the automobile with the officers.
They've caught him at last. they've
caught him at last" is the exclama.
tion which, Detectives Kinder and
Young declare came from the lips or
Mrs. Fitzgerald in the half hysterical
state into which she fell when she
comprehended the object of the ON.
GERS visit. Fitzgerald himself merely
remarked: II suppose you want me
to 60 to jail; I guess I'd better 60
along"
Behind the bars today he refused to
ses newspaper men. but held con.
ference with his attorneys. ]. /. Ennis
and c. r. Iitzenger. John M. DUFFY.
attorney for Mr.. Boldenweck, stated
that tomorrow Fitzgerald would b.,
removed from state to federal juris-
diction.
The detectives. II IL said. were un-
able to satisfy Mr.. Boldenweck's curl
osity as to how much Of the $17s.000
II would be possible to recover. Aside
from the speculations already men,
Toned Il II stated that Fitzgerald was
interested In other deals, and Detective
Young 10 authority for the statement
that Fitzgerald had become financially
involved even before the colossal theft
with which he IL charged. Asked for
the motive which prompted the deed.
Mr.. Young said that he had reason
to believe that part Of the money
went to satisfy previously contract.
ed speculative debt. and he asserted
that he had evidence that the prisoner
has been implicated in other thefts
prior TO the coup OF February 20 last
year. - fR6 rsAfrtt ~
Miles 4 Barber. from whom Fits
gerald bought the Rogers Park rest.
dence. said that Fifzsssald. after brief
negotiations. paid about 81. 1000. in.csSh,
chiefly In bills OF small denominations,
and something lees than $4,000 ia
drafts on q Chicago bank. Tho
rest Of the consideration. about Sl,-
600. he said was assumed by ritxger.
Aid In the form Of q mortgage on tho
property.
Edward n. Htxnger. an intimate
friend and counsel Of Fitzgerald, ex.
pressed hts belief In his clients limo.
cenos and termed the arrest "rid,cu..
lous and absurd"
The nrst intiimation that any Of thu
srbtreasury onlcials had OF a short.
a@e was on one Wednesday afternoon
when Fitzgerald. who had been gov.
ernment enploye for seven years,
walked from his cage over to the
cashier. r. c. Russell. and told hin,
that he was short Sl7s.0o0.
An examination Of Fit.gerald's
books showed that the shortage was
not Q matter OF bookkeeping. but OF
actual loss. Further investigation. It
is said. developed BY q strange coinci-
dence the balance retained by the as
sorting teller In his custody the night
before was the exact amount Of the
money missing.
Thomas I. Porter. chief of the Unit
ed States secret service in Chicago.
ascertained that three previous thefts
had taken place. IL Is alleged. in Fitz.
gerald's cage prior to this time. These
losses were respectively $500. $500
and 5000. Fitzgerald laid suspicion
upon a party Of workmen who had
been employed about the subtreasury
the day previous. The money. Fitz-
gerald said. lay In sacks upon his desk
in dark corner Of the cage and