The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-11-04
Teller Fitzgerald Charged With
Taking $4,000 From
Sub-treasury
MONEY STOLEN FIVE YEARS AGO
Case Set For Trial This Week A.
tracts Attention

Chicago, Noy. 4.--After lapse O
hve years since the mysterious dsap
pearance of $173,0cO from the Chicag,
iSubtreasury, George w. Fitzgerald
former teller who was indicted in 1917
ana charged with the embezzlemcn
OF that sum ~ to appear before
Judge Carpenter, of the United States
court In this city, this week To be
tried for the alleged theft. Unusual
interest is manifested In the impending
trial which. 1t is hoped. will definitely
clear up the mystery surrounding this
case which for years completely puz
zled the government authorities and
the shrewdest among the secret ser
vice detectives.
Fitzgerald Reported Loss.
II was In the summer Of 1907 that
| The officials of the Chicago United
States Sub-treasury were startled by
the information that $1730OO In bills
OF various denominations had myster-
iously disappeared from the cage of
| the teller. George W. Fitzgerald Fitz.
employ OF the subtroasury for seven
years, gave the first intimation of the
loss Of the large sum. on a Wednes-
day afternoon he informed the cashier
+, {. Russell that he was short S113.
600. lie explained that the sum. which
was missing corresponded with the to-
tai amount Of package Of bills which
had neen retained In the tellcr's Gus
tody the night before.
Was Trusted Employee.
An examination of Fftzgerald's book
showed that the shortage was not "a
matter of bookkeeping, but Of actual
loss Inquiry at WASHINGTON showed
that the money had not been shipped
10 the Federal Treasury by mistake
Thomas !. Porter chief of the United
States secret service i'm Chicago. be-
gan careful investigation of the
case and ascertained that three pre-
vious thefts had taken place il is al
legged, I'm Fitzgerald's cage prior to
that time. These losses were, respect
lively. $500, $500 and $500. Notwith-
standing this fact Fitzgerald esjoved
the ful! confidence of his superiors and |
no suspicion was attached to him. He
handled about Sl,C00.000 each day and |
was considered Thoroughly efficient |
and reliable employe. 1t was his GUS
tom each night To lock the money |
under his charge in his own private
steel box.
SUSPICION On Workman.
When questioned. Fitzgerald laid
suspicion upon party of workmen
who had been employed about the sub
treasury the day before the discovery
Of the shortage. The money, Fitzger-
aid stated, lay IN stacks upon his desk
in n dark corner of the cage and migr;
easily have been reached from under
The grating. He also said that dozen
men had access to the safe. Although
at that time considered above suspi-
zion, Fitzgerald was relieved from du-
~. but not arrested. The officers of
The Secret Service began a thorough
of the private life Of
reas,iry. among them Fitzgeralds. His
manner of life, it was found was sim
ale and transformations and he was
popular among his companions. Fitz
gerald asserted his innocence with an
'ir of injured dignity which ultimately
vas effective I'm TIE absence of direct
evidence in diverting suspicion to other
quarters.
u. S. Secret Service.
The case was 50 puzzling that, after !
consultation with Secretary Shaw
II the Treasury and President Roose-
'elt. John l.. Wilkie, chief OF the |
United States secret service, took per- |
onal charge of the investigation |
and several other persons
we're persistently shadowe1. but for
everal years absolutely no evidence ;
ould he found which would have war |
anted any arrest. However no re- |
vard was offered, as This was con
idered useless under the circumstan I
es. Fitzgerald. having lost his po- |
ition in the Subtreas,ry. tried to earn I
living by going into the real estate
usiness and was carefully watched {
he day, In making a payment, he Of. {
cred Sl,O0J-bill and on the strength !
this and other circumstantial evi-
ence he was arrested on suspicion but
nickly discharged again without hav.
,g been formally charged with the
heft. lo
Embexxiement Charged. - IN
The Secret Service officials continued /,
watch every movement OF Fitzgerald
nd upon the strength Of the circum- J
lantial evidence accumulated H. the {
ourse OF several years a secret la a
ictment was found against him I'm
'io. The indictment formally charged h
fitzgerald with the embezzlcment of n
I73,Ooc and he was arrested. but the Ii.
'ial was delayed for various reasons d
ntii 1t was set for this week. 1t is {