Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-11-04

day afternoon he informed the cash-
fer. II. G. Russell. that he ives short
S17S,O00. He explained that the sum
which was missing corresponded with
the total amount Of package Of bills
which had been retained In the tellers
custody the night before.
Not Mistake 81 Bookkeeping.
An examination Of Fitxgerald's book
showed that the shortage was not .
matter Of bookkeeping. but Of actual
loss. Inquiry at washington showed
that the money had not been shipped
to the federal treasury BY mistake.
Thomas 1. Porter. chief Of the United
States secret service In Chicago. be-
gan Z careful investigation Of the
case ana ascertained that three previ-
GUS thefts had taken place. 1t II al
legged, in Fitxgerald's cage prior to that
time. These losses were, respectively,
$500, $500 and $500. Notwithstanding
this fact, Fitzgerald enjoyed the full
confidence Of his superiors and no
suspicion was attached to him. He
handled about 100000 each day and
was considered a thoroughly efficient
and reliable employee. 1t was his Gus
tom each night to lock the money un-
der his charge In his own private stee
box.
When questioned. Fitzgerald laid
suspicion upon a party Of workmer
who had been employed about the
subtreasury the day before the dis.
covery Of the shortage. The money
Fitzgerald stated. lay in stacks upor
his desk in a dark corner Of the cagt
and might easily have been reached
from under the grating. He also SAID
that at least a dozen men had access
to the safe Although at that time
| considered above suspicion. Fitzgerald
was relieved from duty. but not ar
rested. The officers Of the secret serv'
ice began a thorough investigation o
the private life OF every one OF tn
employees Of the subtreasury, among
them Fitzgerald's. His manner Of life
it was found, was simple and unosten
tatious and he was popular amonl
his companions. Fitzgerald asserte,
his innocence with an air Of injure'
dignity which ultimately was effec
tive in the absence OF direct evidenc
in diverting suspicion to other quar-
tiers.
| WiIkie Put On Case.
The case was so puzzling that, afte
consultation with Secretary Shaw o
the treasury and President Roosevelt
John L. Wilkie chief Of the Unite
States secret service. took persona
charge Of the investigation. FYtzger
aid and several other persons wer
persistently Swallowed, but for severa
years absolutely no evidence could b
i found which would have warranted an
arrest. However, no reward was of
fered, as this was considered useles
] under the circumstances. Fitzgerald
having lost his position in the sub
treasury, tried to earn a living by go
ing into the real estate business an
was carefully watched. One day. l
paying payment, he offered a 500
bill and on the strength Of this an
other circumstantial evidence he wa
|, arrested on suspicion. but quickly dis
!, charged again without having bee
) formally charged with the theft.
/ The secret service officials continue
} to watch every movement of Fitzgel
aid and upon the strength of the Gil
1 substantial evidence accumulated
: the course of several years secret In
!, dlctment was found against MIN
j 1910. The indictment formally charge
s Fitzgerald with the embezzlement
: $4,000 and he was arrested, but IL
l trial was delayed for various reason
S until It was set for this week. 1t
t believed that both sides are fully pr,
b pared to bring the case to trial and
is believed that Fitzgerald will NAL
d a determined fight, assisted by some
& the best legal talent in the city