The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1910-09-21
ROBBERS PLEAD GUILTY.
Man Who Stole $4,000 From u.
S. Mails Confesses His Crime
Before Commissioner.

With the arragnment OF Ralph E.
Henry charged with stealing $500
from the y. S. registered mails in
Ritzville Wednesday morning last, be-
fore the u. S. commissioner in Spo-
kane, Thursday, another, important
conviction was added to the excellent
record OF Northern Pacific Chief Spe-
cial Agent McFetridge who handled
the case. Caught red-handed, Henry
enterd a plea of guilty when arraig-
ned, and was bound over in the sum
OF $4,000 for his appearance before
the Federal grand jury which con-
venes in Spokane September Is.
After a short, but bold. series Of
robberies, Henry was placed under ar
rest by the chief special agent as
sisted by Post Office Inspectors S. H.
Special Agent Williams in charge Of
the Pasco division of the N. p, as he
was boarding passenger for Lind.
Money in Mandolin.
Searching the suspects trunk, the
officers discovered $4,000 of the money
concealed in a mandolin. OF the re-
naming $1,000 Henry carried 1927 on
his person. Confronted with these
facts, and knowing that the officers
were aware that he had arrived in
Ritzville only a few weeks before,
broke" Henry broke down and con-
fessed his crime.
Was Expert "Lock Man."
Henry whom the officers say was
an expert flock man." told of having
rifled more than half dozen register
ed sacks prior to his arrest. His
methods which the officers refuse to
divulge, was no less unique than it
was bold, the fact having been
brought out that it took him only a
few minutes to "go through" sack.
re-lock it and return to his post in
Time 20 avoid suspicion.
Henry according to the officers, ar
rived in Ritzville August and started
working for the company as night OPP
orator and ticket man. On the even
ing of August II, train No. Al dropped
a registered sack which when opened
on the next morning, was found in
good condition with the exception Of
money order for $50 which was
missing. This was taken from the
pouch and the pouch locked again
between the time that No. Al left
Ritzville and the arrival of the pouch
at the post office. On the night of
August IS, the same train again drop
ped a registered pouch which like
the former one, was found to have
been rifled of valuable package
when opened at the post office and
the officers at once suspicioned Henry.
Makes Big Haul.
On September 6, No. 3 dropped a
registered pouch containing $4,000
consigned to the German State Bank
OF Ritzville from the Spokane Eastern
Trust company and as before, the
leather bag appeared at the post Of
flee apparently in perfect condition.
When opened and checked up, the
pouch was found to have been rifled
of the $500 package.
On the following day, the officers
say, Henry purchased a diamond ring
paying $3.50 in cash for his treasure.
Two days later, he made another pur-
chase of diamond and the officers,
positive of their man, bounced down
upon him.
Has Young Wife and Baby.
Henrys preliminary hearing in
Spokane was not without pathos.
Seated in the court room were his
young wife and Is months old baby,
the latter crying because it could not
go up front with it's father.
Henry's crime is said to have been
the largest theft that has ever oc-
Cured on the Pasco division.