The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-03-22
NAVY CLERK STOLE
SMALL FORTUNE
AND BLEW It IN
Escaped From Atlanta Followed
BY Secret Service Men
SMASHED BATTLESHIP SAFE
Obtained $4,000 In One Of the Most
Sensational Thefts in Nays
History

Atlanta, Ga, Marcn 1.-TWO JIM
ted States Secret Service agents who
had been in Atlanta since Sunday
night left here hurriedly yesterday af-
ternoon for New York, close on the
trail of Edward w. Lee, the paymas-
ter's clerk OF the battleship Georgia,
who disappeared from on board that
vessel on the night OF February II,
when the Atlantic fleet was in Guam
tanamo Bay.
Before the departure of the federal
agents 1t was learned that the young
man OF suaYe manners and smooth
voice who had registered at the Pied
mont hotel here on March as "A. w.
Carmichael, Buenos Ayres,' and who
created sensation by the reckless
expenditure of several thousand dol
lars in one day, was the fugitive pay
masters clerk.
In the downtown district of Allan
Ia and at breakfast tables in the res
idential sections the exploits of "A.
w. Carmichael" continue to be the
topic of conversation. In his own
words, he lust blew into Atlanta"
and his departure was equally unher-
aided.
Since the young man left here on
March 3, however, IL became known
yesterday he returned one week ago,
and 1t was due to this second short
visit of few hours that his identity
became established Fearing that he
had been detected, however, he elud
ed officers at the Fourth National
bank, and left the city by train be
fore he could be arrested.
The theft OF the $4,000 from the
battleship Georgia and the escape OF
Lee was one of the most sensational
and daring incidents OF its kind in
the recent history OF the navy. The
young clerk is 20 years old and enlist
ed from Kentucky. Several years OF
efficient service in the navy earned
for him the promotion to the paymas
ter's bureau aboard the Georgia and
large sums Of money, constituting the
salaries OF the officers and crew were
In his care.
When the Atlantic feet was al
Guantanamo Lee obtained permission
to take shore leave on February II
Watching his opportunity, he slipped
into the paymaster's Office and will
heavy axe smashed the door OF IN,
safe. snatched $4,000 in bills OF large
denomination and then calmly went
over the battleship's side to the shor,
cutter. lie had fully four hours star
before the discovery Of the robbery.
II has been learned that he landed
at Mobile. Ala, and from that city
went to Jacksonville. Fla, but hi
whereabouts until he blew into" AT
lanta continued to be a mystery
When he registered as "a. W. Carml
chael" at the Piedmont hotel here OF
March he had no baggage. III
tossed a thousand dollar bill to thu
clerk in advance payment for suit
OF four rooms and bath.
The spending fever continued
throughout the day and far into IN
night. lie ordered half dozen bus
mess and travelling suits from n TAI
Tor. for which he paid $500. lie KEEP
nj his service an automobile, 70
which he paid $40 an hour. and CAV
the chauffeur. Charles Belle-lsle.
tip OF SOS. but he fell a victim to IN
charms OF Miss Louise Whitmore
manicurist at the hotel. For Mis-
Whitmoro he purchased several CIV,
ming and dinner gowns worth $1,000.
Before his departure for New Yor
Lee went to the Fourth National ban
OF this city. There he obtained
draft for $4,000 on n New York trus
company, but when he arrived In Ne
York he was unable to properly idcl
tify himself as "a. W. Carmichael
and the money was not paid
Ice returned to Atlanta one wee
ago and asked that the draft be car
celled. In this transaction the ban
teller gave Lee several old bills, FRA
making note OF the numbers OF n
new ones that Lee had given when h
purchased the draft
Scarcely had the young man stcl
ped out Of the door than tclcgrai
was received from the secretary {
the navy. Mr.. Won L. Meyer. sayin
that the bills which Lee had given N
bank were Of the same specie an
number as those which were stole
from the funds OF the hattlcship Geo
gia.
AZ once several men started In pa
suit of Ice but they arrived at N
railroad station about half a minu
after the departure Of a train bour
for New York. lie had purchased .
ticket but Il has since been learn,
he was a passenger to New York 8
though he escaped detection on h
arrival In that city
FINDS LONG LOST SISTER