The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-15
BY
SECRET AGENTS
Cashier Fitzgerald Tell Story
Rivalling Russian Prison
Inquisition.
SUSPECTED OF BIG THEFT
Treasury Detective Hound His
Steps, Torment His Relatives
and Exhume Sisters Body.
SUSPECTED OF BIG THEFT

CHICAGO, ILLS, September 15.---
George w. Fitzgerald told a tale of
alleged persecution at the hands of
secret service. men that rivals any
story of Russian secret police activity.
Fitzgerald was RELEASED from Jail this
afternoon on $4,000 bonds furnished
by friends. His counsel. Edward r.
LitZinger, asked that the bail be re-
duced, but Judge L.andis refused say
ing the penalty was one In which Il
fine OF $l93, 600 and a ten year prison
sentence might be imposed, and he
considered the bail reasonable. The
bond was signed by James Ralph, John
RI. Gordon and w. III. Joyce, president
Of the Hammond Repair Company
He accused the officers % attend
mig the funeral of mis- sister-in -law.
disguised as grave diggers, and said
that later. believing that he had hid
den stolen money in her coffin, they
dug up the body and ransacked the
coffin. His children were stopped on
the streets and questioned about their
fathers business, his wife was nearly
driven insane by constant surveillance.
and for three years he has not been
free from espionage either night or
day, he declared
Fitzgerald was formerly asserting
teller in the United States sub-treas-
ury here. In 1907, while he was In
his cage, a package of money totaliina
sl73, geo disappeared. He was ar
rested on suspicion and later dfscharg-
ed. He maintained his innocence, and
last night was again arrested. this time
on an indictment returned secretly
some months ago. In default of $780,
600 bail. he is locked in jail await
ing trial.
81 Am Innocent"
These secret service men have vio-
lated all decency in their espionage on
me and mine said Fitzgerald this
afternoon. Il am innocent or any
crime, but they will not believe me-
My wife and fanny have been In
constant terror and every move
have made has been watched. ] have
a strong suspicion as to who took the
money but / will only tell II to Cap
tain Porter. of the secret service or the
trial judge.
Il am satisfied that one of the rea-
sons for my arrest is the suit for
$4,000 damages have pending
against former Treasurer Boldenweck,
for his having me arrested two years
ago.
II shall be acquitted OF this charge.
aUnOuGn 1 KNOW tnat every TRICK Will
be turned by the government sleuths
TO hang the theft on me-" continued
Fitzgerald When 7 was arrested
two years ago the case was thrown
out of court because of lack OF evil
dence."
Fitzgerald himself pays unconscious
tribute to the work of the govern
ment secret service. and the tireless
pursuit by the government.
For months saw two men fire.
auently hanging about my house and
attempting TO get in" said Fitzgerald.
They would come to the door. draw
out bull's-eye lantern and fash the
light through any opening they could
find. Many times the light was even
flashed through a window and across
my body as / lay in bed. was never
alone. A man whom ! knew to be a
secret service agent would sit oppo-
site me when I had my meals down
town.
District Attorney Sims declared the
secret service men had obtained
enough circumstantial evidence
against the former teller to make his
conviction a certainty.
The prosecutor and his assistants
were secretive as to the direct evil
dence against Fitzgerald. and had not
been drawn actively into the case
until the warrant was applied fol
yesterday.