Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-08-24
Arrest in Chicago Solves MyS-
tery Of $4,000 Robbery of
Government Money, Federal
Officers Believe,
SUSPECT SHADOWED
FOR MANY MONTHS
Alleged Attempt to Dispose of
$4,000 Bills Proves PriS-
oner'S Undoingi StoutIy De-
CIareS Innocence,

IBy Morning journal Special Leased wireI
Chicago, Aug. 2S.-The mystery of
the theft of $4,000 from the Uni
ted States subtreasury, 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. 9th
ers are believed to have been impll-
Gated in the crime which for months
completely baffied the government Sc
cret service men. Fitzgerald was an
asserting teller under Assistant United
States Treasurer William Boldenweck
Suspicion at the time of the theft,
February 90. 1907, rested on him, but
so plausible was his story and so in
tense his apparent interest in discov-
ering the rear culprit that interest
ceased to center on him.
Much work was done on the theory
that the CRIME had been perpetrateu
by a colored man Meanwhile Fitz-
gerald was discharged from the gov
ernment employ for culpable negli-
gence in allowing such a theft to be
consummated under his very eyes. The
money stolen had been used and was
tied In packafss some Of which had
been marked for Destruction ut Wash
ington. Any of them would readily
have passed anywhere except for their
large denominations None of the bills
was under $500 and some were of the
$1,000, $4,000 and $4,000 denomina-
tions. the 81 1000 ones predominatng
The theft created sensation
throughout the country and congress
at the last session was asked. and re-
fused, to release Assistant Treasurer
Boldenweck from liability. although il
was promised that congress would
again consider the matter at its next
session.
Meanwhile Herbert f. Young, for
mer Chicago newspaper reporter. and
now head of the Young Sescret Serv-
ice company. became Interested in the
case, at first without official connec-
tion, but later as the agent of Mr.
Boldenweck Mr.. Young's attention
was directed to Fitzgerald. The lat
ter upon his discharge from the sub
treasury stated that his whole for
stock certificate for $1,000. His wife
had a $500 interest in the estate Of
of her mother, which was valued at
about $4,000 and was in litigation.
Fitzgerald. however, according to
Mr. Young embarked In speculation
on scale not consistent with the size
of his reputed means. There was.
however. no ostentaton in Fitzgerald's
life. The lavish display which detec-
tives invariably look for in tracing
stolen funds was absent. Fitzgerald
bought eggs for speculation and stored
them. In July. 1907, he inaugurated
an egg deal which ultimately. it Is
stated. involved an expenditure OF
$1,000 and In March a similar deal in
volved him, according to Mr.. Young,
To the extent of $4,000. incidentally
the former teller had become pos
SCISSOR, In his wife's name. of n neat
brick residence In Rogers Park. n
suburb of Chicago, and valued at
$4,000. Mr.. Young declared today that
his purchase was made in roundabout
ways. passing through several hands
ana finally into those Of Mrs. Fitz-
gerald for a consideration OF one dol
lar.
Last July the scent is said to have
become hot when Colonel Harry G.
Gano, superintendent OF A. Booth &,
Co, a business man Of prominence
and public spirited, reported TO Mr.
Boldenweck. It is said. that Fitzgerald
had approached him with a PROPOSE
tlon to pass several $4,000 bills.
with your big connections" Fitz-
gerald Is alleged to have argued to
Colonel Gano. "you can easily pass
them. There's $500 in It for YOU"
Gano is reported to have declared
that he had a roll OF similar bills,
that would choke a horse"
After comforting with Mr. Bolden-
week Colonel Gano continued negotla-
tlons with Fitzgerald with the result
that by prearrangement Detective
Young says several witnesses were Sc
cretIy present when the former pro-
posed to pass two $4,000 bills to Col
onel Gano.
"Iwill bring two" Fitzgerald is al
legged to have said, "for you can get
rid OF two Just as we'll as one"
So far as known Fitzgerald was not
seen to pass any Of the large bills.
From the moment OF Colonel Gano's
first interview with the assistant Uni
ted States treasurer, II Is said. Mr.