The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1909-02-19
AN|MPORTANT
ARREST MADE
Local Officers and Government
Agent Get Negro for Theft.
AMOUNT STOLEN $475O
A. T. Jordan a COlored Merchant Of Fort
Pierce Formerly Porter in Pennsylvan-
ia Bank Taken Back to Stand Trial.

Sheriff Dan Carlton and Marshal E..
G. Gustafson effected an important
capture in Fort Pierce last Thursday,
when they arrested A. T. Jordan, the
colored merchant in Little Africa. The
arrest was on warrant issued by
Judge Hemmings upon information
furnished by H. E.. Thomas of the gov
eminent secret service. f,..'. $3.50,
Jordan is under indictment in the
United States Court at Pittsburg, Pa,
for the theft of 81, $50 from the Battle
National Bank, of Battle Creek, su-
burb of Pittsburg. ~ He waived extra
dition and was taken back to Pitts
burg with Agent Thomas where he will
answer to the charge of larceny. Jor-
don's wife, who is in Dobson, N. G., is
under indictment on the same charge.
The crime for which Jordan is under
arrest occurred in August, 1907: He
was employed as a porter in the bank.
1t was his duty to go to work at 3 am,
and to assist in placing valuab1es in the
vault each, evening when the bank
closed and while thus engaged abstract
ed the package of bills. On the morn
ing that the theft was discovered by
Cashier w. T. Carroll, Jordan did not
appear at the bank until after nine
o'clock, pleading illness, Il, He was placed
under arrest but his hearing was be-
fore negro justice Of the peace who
discharged him for lack OF evidence.
Crshier Carroll had to make good the
loss to the bank, and with government
officers, has never relaxed his efforts
to punish the man and has kept watch
of his movements. He has recently
obtained evidence which he teels sure
will convict him. 10. ...t.
Jordan came to Fort Pierce about six
months ago, bought lot and erected a
store building in the colored section.
He purchased fixtures and stock to the
amount of over 81. 900, the building and
lot being. worth about $500. He told
some of his friends that he had made a
"kllling' at the races in New Orleans
and won considerable money. He pros
pered and was known as the best
dressed man among his people. In his
trunk which was searched by the officers
was found several handsome suits OF
clothes besides other wearing apparel;
He also possessed a handsome gold
watch. From letters also found by the
officers it was discovered that he had
been associated with gang of negro
thieves who operated in several states
in the north. Two of them it appears
from some of the letters have recently
been sentenced to prison. ~
Parker & Broome and A. D. P,Aley
attorneys for the compliments attached
all Jordan's property under the charge
that it was stolen. Jordan's wife who
resides in Dobson, N. c.. it has been
learned purchased piece of property
since the theft paying $500. This will
also be attached.
Jordan was a light ginger cake col
ored negro s feet 81 inches tall, weighs
100 pounds and is 30 years old. His
upper teeth were all gold in front and
this fact aided the authorities in keep.
ing track of the mans movements since
the theft.
He will be tried at the next term Of
United States court in Pittsburg.