Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-08-06
VIRGINIA MAYOR IN TROUBLE

'Phis is a declaration OF war. Ny
life is openly stsktd on the result, for
am prepared to meet you at any time
and placed you may name. The wea'
pons shall use are dynamite and other
high exclusives. Thus wrote A5rsm
G Eby, mayor Of B Birkeville, Va, to
the president of the Pennsylvsnia Rail-
road, on July %.
He named $4,000 IS his price for
the safety OF the railroad, its seam
ships, and the travelling public. He
otherwise threatened the PennsylVanis
Railroad.
Following a carefully laid plan of
the federal postal detectives, Eoy was
arrested 10 Philadelphia yesterday
while 10 the company of Oswald j. De
Rousse, chief clerk TO President McOrta,
who acted for The latter in iuveigliDg
Mayor E5y to Philadslphia. He was
given hearing before United S'a'es
Commissioner Oraig and held 10 $lO,-
600 bail for September term OF court.
At the bearing, William l.. Caver',
postoffice inspector Of Richmond, Va,
| furnished evidence showing that Eby
msiled threatening letters through the
T, Richmond and Charlotte Railroad post
Office. De Rousse told Of the receipt
of the letters and consequent coopera
ton of the railroad snthorities with the
Postoffice Department TO bring Eby to
Philadelphia. All through the hearing
Eby sat unmOved. He made no state
ment when chsrged by Commissioner
Craig with "devislng to defraud by
means OF the United States mails and
attempting to extort." He said sim
ply that be could not furnish bail.
The first letter written by Eby was
signed "Adam Smith" In it be pro-
posed to use explosives in wreckiDg
freight and passenger cars along various
lines Of the Pennsylvania Rsilroai l..
"When you look for me In Pennsyl-
yaujs." be wrtta, 81 shall be in Vir'
pinis. shall laEe care that the papers
have details OF sll wrecks. Every an
srchist 10 the county with nerve will
follow this lad. l am ready to disclose
my identity and keep the secret OF th 8
wsrisre ard its methods provided yon
pay me $45, 900 and have your pledge
that 20 free. II you break your plede 9
at this stage You will only get me at the
lnost for backmsil and threatening
letters.
"I'll take my punishment and do my
worst when | 60 free, and no one can
control my tongue or pen"
Eby sets forth further that he has
tried for thirty years TO earn an honest
living, bat finds thst "corporslioD
thieves get sill and The rest of mankind
must starVe or stand in."
Ia his letter Ely also specified that be
would meet no one except the president
or some high official Of the road. He
designated that the sign of secret Or
der be used 10 The insertion of "per-
sonal" IS an answer in the Richmond
Times Dispatch.
A "persouap was inserted by post
Office detectives and Eby g demand Of
$3.50 and transportation 10 fhiaoeI'
pha wss scceded to through Mr.. DE-
Rouse. Letters we're received from
Eby telling of his intended trip to Pail.
adelphia lie reached that city and
wrote Mr.. De Rouse making an sp
pointment to meet him at noon yester
day. About 1890 o'clock the men mel
and Mr.. De Rousss took EbY to The
Third National Bank, where he pro-
cnred certified check for $50, 600 aut
$500 in cash. These he offered Eby
but the lstler refused, saying, "KeeE
them for a WHILE" Chief Postal In
spector CortelVou then made the arrest
Inspector Calvert. who knows Eoy
was asked sbout E1y's action. HI
.ad: "Mr. Eby is not crazy. He hsI
long entertained spite against the Penn
sglTauis Railroad. His father helC
stock 10 branch read In Virginia auC
Eoy believes that by the reorganization
of the ROAD, through the Reading sDr
Pennsylvania Influences, his father los
some 5000, 900. That iS why he be
lieves $45, 900 aud more is justly du
him ~