Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-08-24
BIG MYSTERY SOLVED
Arrest Finally Mao I'D berry Of
Large Sum from re
FORMER TELLER IN s
Had Been Suspected at Start,
ceeded in Satisfying 0ficia
BIG BILLS CAUSE DOWNFALL
Money All Five Hundred and Thou
sand Dollar Denominations.
SEEKS AID IN PASSING THEM
Man whom He Approaches Tips IL
on 60 Federal Authorities and
Then Seemingly Accepts
the Proposition.

CHICAGO. Aug. 23.-The mystery Of the
theft Of $4,000 from the United States sub
treasury a year and half ago. one Of
the largest losses the government has ever
suffered In this manner is believed to
have been solved by the arrest at an early
hour today OF George W. Fitzgerald.
Others are believed to have been implicated
n the crime which for months completely
haffled government secret service men.
Fitzgerad was an asserting teller under
Assistant United States Treasurer Bolden-
wick. Suspicion at the time of the theft,
February co. 1907, rested on him. but so
plausible was his story and so intense his
apparent interest in discovering the real
culprit that interest ceased to center in
him Much work was done the theory
that the crime had been perpetrated by a
colOred man, Meanwhile Fitzgerald was
discharged from the government employ
for culpable negligence for allowing such
theft to be consummated under his very
eyes The money stolen had been used
and was tied up in packages. some OF
which having been marked for destruction
at Washington. Any of them would read
iy have passed anywhere except for their
large denominations. None OF the hills was
under $500 and some were of the 1000 and
5000 denominations. the $1,000 ones pre-
dominating
The theft created a sensation throughout
the country and congress at the last ses-
sion asked and refused to release
Assistant Treasurer Boldenweck from lia-
bility, although II was promised that con-
gress would again consider the matter at
Its next session.
EmbaEks in Speculation.
Meanwhile Herbert f. Young, a former
Chicago newspaper reporter and now head
Of the Young Secret Service agency, became
interested in the case, at first without Of
ficial connection. but later as the agent
OF Mr.. Boldenweck. Mr.. Youngs attention
redlrected to Fitzgerald. The latter
upon discharge from the subtressury
stated that his whole fortune consisted of
$500 in cash and stock certificate for
$1,000 His wife had 500 interest in the
estate OF her mother. which was valued at
about $1,000 and was In litigation. Fitz-
gerald however. according to Mr.. Young,
embarked in speculation on a scale not
consistent with the size of his reputed
means There was. however. no ostenta-
tion in Fitzgerald's life. The lavish dis
play which detectives invariably look for
In tracing stolen funds was absent. Fitz-
gerald bought eggs for speculation and
egg doal which ultimately, It is stated.
involved an expenditure Of 5000, and the
following March a similar deal involved
him. according to Mr. Young. to the ex-
tent Of $4,000. Incidentally the former
teller had become the possessor in his
wifes name Of a neat brick residence in
Rogers park a suburb OF Chicago, and
valued at $500 Mr. Young declared to-
day that this purchase was made in a
roundabout way, passing through several
hands and finally into those Of Mrs. Fitz-
gerald. for a consideration OF 81.
Last July the scent is said to have be-
come hot when Colonel Harry c. Gano,
superintendent of a. Booth & Co. bust
ness man of prominence and public spirit.
reported to Mr. Boldenweck It is said, that
M. Fitzgerald had approached him with
proposition to pass several $1,000 bills.
with your big business connections" 4"
Fltzge raid is alleged to have argued to
Colonel Gano, you can easily pass them
There's S5OO In Il for you"
Fitzgerald Is reported to have declared
that he had a roll OF similar bills that
would choke a horse" After comforting
with Mr.. Boldenweck, Mr.. Gano continued
negotiations with Fitzgerald. with the re-
suit that by arrangement several witnesses
we're secretly present when the former tel
4 Ter passed two 500 bills to Colonel Gqno.
81 brought two" Fitzgerald is alleged to
have said. you can get rid Of two Just
easy as one
Others Are Involved.
From the moment Of Colonel Gano's first
Interview with the assistant United States
treasurer, It is said, Mr.. Young or some
Of his men shadowed Fitzgerald. The trail
Il Is intimated. broadly involved others, not
only IN helping Fitzgerald TO dispose of the
money alleged 20 have been stolen but in
the very act of his having extracted II
from the treasury vaults and In the later
covering Of tracks, Who these persons
were those working on the case state they
are not yet prepared to divulge. 1t had
not been Intended to arrest Fitzgerald at
this time as further evidence is not only
wanted against him, but developments were
expected which would involve others How
ever It is stated, that those under sus-
picion had obtained an inkling that un-
toward developments were going forwar nd
and II was deemed best to lose no time IN
securing the man charged with being The
principal
The case being one properly under fed
eral Jurisdiction a United States udRe
Was first sought, but none could be found
Assistant States Attorney Barbour was
next approached and shortly after midnight
this morning Judge Chetlain. at his home
issued a bench warrant for the arrest OF
Fitzgerald, charging him with the larceny
OF N7S'om from the government vaults
Behind the bars today Fitzgerald re-
fused TO see newspaper men, but held ,
conference with his attorneys. j. l. Eani,
ana {. l. Lit1inger John NJ. Duffy. at
tornoy for Mr., Boldenweck, stated that to-
morrow Fitzgerald would he removed from
state to federal jurisdiction. The detec
'ves, 1t is said, were unable to satisfy Mr.
so!denweck's curiosity as to how much o
The nDooo Il would be possible to recover