The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-06
EDDIE FAY SUED
FOR STAMP THEFT
Government Attaches Cracks
mans Property to Regain
Value Of Plumber.
OWNS MUCH REAL ESTATE
Notorious Robber OF Richmond
Post-Office Reputed to BE
Worth Fortune.

After a relentless and country wide
search, post office inspectors have been
unable to locate the remainder OF the
stamps, valued al slT,I2a. stolen by
Eddie Fay and Little DICK" Harris
from the Richmond post-o on March
=, 1910. but. determined not to lose
the money. Uncle Sam has taken action
10 make Fay recompcnse the govern
iRcnt News was received in RiChm on d
Yesterday that Federal District Attor-
neN Todd, In Tnroma. Wash. had be-
there to attach certain real estate be-
longing 10 the notorious crackslnan.
now serving tcn-yenr term III the
Atlanta penitentiary. The property be-
longing to Fay in Wash Etou is said
TO he worth $4,000,
This cource was decided upon by
,n,. nepar,ment Of Justice after the
trace OF the missing stamps.
Recovered Portion.
Fay and Harris. ii will be recallpi |.
with the aid of unknown confederates,
more than a year ago looted the local
post Office of SS5,000. but the two were
captured In New York and most of
the stolen property recovered. Though
no stone was left unturned, the detec-
tives never learned the identity CT the
crooks with the remainder of TIE
stamps.
Fay and Harris were brought TO
Richmond and lodged in the Henrico
County Jail They were given speedy
hearing in the United states District
Court. pleaded guilty to tho charge. and
were each sentenced to serve ten years
in prison and pay Il fine of 5000
Neither would disclose the names Of
the other thief or thieves. in whose
Unable TO recover this money, the
government Is determined 10 be reim-
bursed by Fay.
Said to lie wealthy.
The fact that Fay owns property in
Tacoma is n surprise to only n. few
Not only does the man now in the At
lanta prison own property III Wash
ington, but is said to have holdings in
California and Illinois. and is reputed
10 possess fortune of S500.09 The
legal steps to be reimbursed for It's
loss by Fay was, however. a great sur
prise in Richmond. Judge J.. L. Lewis.
District Attorney, and Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Robert H. Talley We're
unaware of any contemplated action
on the part of the government.
The fact that there is n chance of
the government making up the deficit
the civil courts of the Washington
city, relieves a burden from the shout
ders Of Postmaster Edgar Allan, n.
For some time Il has been a matter
p W
would make good the 10 s. Because of
the large amount. 1t was beyond the
jurisdiction of the Post-Ofice Depart
men, TO relieve the postmaster from
congressional Legislation for an APP
propria ton TO make up for the missin 8
stamps.
Amount Ascertaincd.
several weeks ago q detail of inspcc-
tors were sent here to check up the
post office TO ascertain the exact
amount still missing as a result of
the robbery. This was found to be
sl7,729 Though 1t was not ki.own at
the time. the government desired these
figures for the purpose of instituting
sui, against Fay
The belief that Little Dick" Is al
to be taken solely against his COM
radc in crime.
Though Harris may be the possessor
Of some OF the spoils Of former thefts,
lished and IN view OF these circum-
stances it is hoped TO make Fay pay
When In Richmond Fay denied ,aat
he was paupcr. However. investi-
CATION disclosed the information that
he is a man OF means.
The record Of the leading spirit and
guiding hand in the daring robbery
OF the Richmond post-o office is known
IN police headquarters In every city
oi the country. WlIllc, II Is sad, tile
mans opera tons have not been CON
tined TO the United states, but have
cXtanded 10 Canada, Mexico and even
Europe.
Expert In Crime.
Ills record is that Of one of the most
fearless and daring criminals of this
period. He !s educated and possesses
nerves Of steel In his operations he
gathered about him lesser lights OF
the under world and had them carry
ic In
hand IN some Of the boldcst robberics
IN criminal history. He has several
tines escaped from the various prisons
IN which lie has been confined
Though not possessing the same
apiilty as his chief. little Dick IIar-
ris is also classcd among the most dan
S.erous criminals in the country While
lay Is less than forty years old, IIar-
rs IS IN ,hc shady side OF hfty.
Fay has long string OF aliases. ana
ne Is being sued in Tacoma under the
titie OF Richard j. Cuminins. which is
heiieved 20 lie his right name