The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-15

Three days after the indictment was
secretly returned and suppressed, on
February 90 it was announced that
the statute of limitations had operated
to stop possible criminal action in the
peculiar case. Coincident with this
ruse by the authorities, secret service
men we're detailed to watch Fitzgerald
constantly and make a rigid investiga-
tion of the former teller's financial in
terests and affairs. Discoveries made
by these secret service operatives re-
suited in the order for Fitzgerald's ar
rest.
Marshal Eberstein, chief of special
agents of the department of Justice,
and Deputy United States Marshals
Walter Wainwright and J. T. Buckner
arrested Fitzgerald at his insurance
brokerage offices On LaSalle street
was leaving for his home. Fitzgerald
was first taken to United States Mar
shall Hoy's office, in the federal build
ing, where he was searched, hand
cuffed and placed in a cell. Fitzgerald
objected to being searched and for
few moments was handled somewhat
roughly by the deputy marshals. After
an hours imprisonment, Fitzgerald
was taken before Judge Kenesaw
Lands. He was formally arraigned
and his bail was fixed at $4,000. Be
ing unable to give bond in this sum,
ne was taken to the county Jail.
On Four Counts.
The indictment against Fitzgerald
read in court specifies four counts
Three charge embezzlement and the
fourth charges larceny. Under these
charges maximum sentence of 10
years in federal prison or a fine
equal to the sum embezzled is the
the federal statutes.
Attaches of the district attorneys
office declare that since the strange
disappearance of the $4,000 from the
subtreasury Fitzgerald has done the
following things:
Organized the Illinois Car Manufac-
turing company with a $4,000 plant at
Hammond, Ind.
Organized the Illinois Bolt, Nut and
Forging company with large plant
in Chicago.
Dealt extensively in stocks and
bonds.
Moved from a modest flat to
$4,000 residence in Rogers Park, a
suburb of Chicago
Paid for this new home and furnish
ed it extensively.
Lived in expensive style and enter
tanned friends lavishly.
From the time of returning of the
suppressed indictment of February -
the greatest secrecy was used by gov
eminent officials in handling the in
vestigation. The indictment was lock-
ed up in a vault of the office of the
United States district court to await
such time as federal lawyers felt they
had sufficient evidence to warrant the
arrest of Fitzgerald.
The fact that secret service men
searched Fitzgeralds Office and his
residence Immediately following his ar
rest leads to the belief that he did
something which FASTENED his arrest
though the United States district at
torney refused to say what prompted
the arrest.
Story of the Robbery.
The sub-treasury robbery, which has
been one of the most bathing mysteries
in years which the secret service has
been required to investigate, occurred
wednesday, February 10, 1907. The
money was all in $1,000 and $4,000
bills. Federal officers throughout the
country were brought into the hunt fol-
the missing money. For three years
all persons found to have $1,000 and
covert scrutiny by secret service
agents.
The $173,O disappeared from Fitz.
Eerald's cage in the sub-treasury
Fitzgerald said he had gone out t.
lunch and that when he returned the
money was gone. He was c1osel,
questioned at the time and was shad
robbery occurred Fitzgerald was ar
rested by a private detective agenc.
acting for William Boldenweck, tn
sub-treasurer The charge was no
pressed at this time however. and
FITZGERALD proceeded to institute dam
age suits against Boldenweck and thu
detective agency for alleged false ar
rest.