Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-21
PACKAGE CONTAINING $500 RE.
POSED IN OLD MAIL SACK
ron LoNo PERIOD.
100 DuRpErTE's BROTHER
ONCE CHARGED WITH THEFT
Rev. Charles Durdetts, Registry Clerk
in Office, Rested Under lmputation
Al Thess Ysars-Meney Recently
Found IN Lining Of Mail Pouch at
San Francisco.
Special to Times Republican.


Burlington. Fob. 21.-Rev. Charles
Burdetts, brother OF Bob" Burdette,
the humorist, and former Burlington
editor, has been cleared of suspicion OF
the theft Of $500, which disappeared
thirty years ago when Burdette was
register clerk in the Peoria. ILL.,. post
office. The registered package which
contained the money was found few
days ago in an old mail sack at San
Francisco. CAL. and Burdette, who is
now pastor Of the church at Springfield.
mass, 10 cleared, Of all suspicion.
Burdette was the register clerk in the
Peoria postohfice thirty years ago. John
Comstock, wealthy resident of Peoria,
appeared at the window and assigned
to Burdette's care twelve envelopes.
each containing money, the total be-
ing $500. Comstock told Burdette
what the envelopes contained. Burdette
handled the letters in the regular way.
putting the twelve letters into a large
envelope and sealing 1t. This was plac-
ed in the bottom OF a pouch. as was the
custom in those days.
Money 0isappsars.
That registered package was not seen
after 1t left Burdette's hands thirty
years ago, until Q few days ago. The
large MANILA envelope had become
lodged under the seams in the bottom
Of the pouch and as It was the color OF
the leather. 1t formed false bottom
for the sack. and altho clerks had con-
tinually shaken the sack and 1t had
been in continuous use for thirty years
the envelope had never been dislodged.
After thirty years of service. 1t was
All A>l S0f~
It was sent to the repair shop from San
Z Francisco and the bottom was cut out.
1t was then that the package was found.
It was opened and found to contain the
twelve letters Just as John Comstock
had mailed them thirty years ago. The
fact was wired to Peoria and from
Peoria to Rev. Charles Burdette. 1t
has lifted from Burdette q great bur-
den for he has prayed continually for
thirty years that the mystery be cleared
up.
Stoed By Burdstts.
The postal authorities stood by Bur-
dette in his trouble. General b. W.
Magee. who was postmaster at Peoria
at the time refused to discharge Bur-
dette when ordered to do so by the In
spector. He said. II know Charles
since he was able to walk. know his
folks and they are friends Of mine. I'll
90 to he'll for friend. won't discharge
Charlie The case was taken to Wash
ington. General Magee who was square
was not much OF letter writer but he
said what ne felt. In answer to the
authorities at Washington he wrote.
''The boy IL an real and am not going
to brand him by discharsing him. All
folks who think he b otherwise can 90
to he'll"
Burdette saved his money and a few
years afterwards resigned from the
postoffice and studied for the ministry.
He was ordained and went to India.
where he served for twenty years. He
then came back to the United States
and was called to an eastern church,
now being az Springfield. Mass. John
Comstock never lost an opportunity to
brand Burdette - q thief