Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-04-11
EXPRESS DRIVER
STEALS So WIFE
MAY DRESS BETTER
w. H. Lovejoy Confesses to Au-
thorities to Systematic Rob-
bery-Maintained Innocence
at First, Then Breaks Down.

Arrested Thursday afternoon for the
systematic theft of express packages,
the contents of which federal officials
SAY were valued at several thousands
of dollars, William II. Lovejoy, driver
in Boise for the American Express
company confessed he committed the
robbery so that he could supply his
wife with more money with which to
dress. He waived preliminary exam
nation before Commissioner John
Jackson and is now in the county Jail
In default of $1,000 bonds.
The missing of many articles of ex-
press, checked as far as Boise, led 10
the discovery of the thefts here. A
government official was put on The
case and Lovejoy was watched. 1t
was soon discovered he was selling
goods at Nampa. An investigation m
that town was made on Wednesday.
Places were visited where the driver
had sold goods known to have been
stolen. Thursday his rooms at Third
and Grove streets were searched and
the wrappers from numerous stolen
packages were found.
Goods secured by government off,
cials at his rooms consisted of IL
skirts, 10 jackets, 20 pairs of women
shoes, two sweaters, five shirt waists
two dolmans, 81 made up ties. IL fou.
in hand ties, 10 bolts of ribbon.
A considerable amount of the mer-
chandise which he sold at Nampa has
been recovered and was turned over
to the officials today.
BREAKS DOWN AND CONFESSES
When first placed under arrest
Lovejoy stoutly maintained his limo
cence, but confronted with over
whelming evidence, he quickly changed
and made full confession. Loveioy
stated his wife left him because he wa
not making enough money to properly
dress her, but later she returned, |
bringing with her two men, whom shs
told him would inform him how he
could make more money for her. |
These men, he said, explained how TO
take articles from the shipments at |
the depot receiving station, slip them |
into his wagon when no one was look |
Ing and later sell them. He followed |
their advice, he claims, stole the ar
ticles, made regular trips to Nampa |
where he sold the women's wearing ap-
pareL
SERVED COUNTRY IN FRANCE
Lovejoy is "a years of age and has
been drawing $50 per month as .
driver, which position he secured .
through a recommendation of P. E.,
Merriam, of the United States de-
partment of justice, who spoke good .
word for him after his return from |
service in France, where he was made
a commissioned officer Lovejoy .
is a Nampa youth. He went to the .
border with the old second Idaho. Be-
fore they left for service abroad, Love
Joy had trouble with captain of lis |
regiment, left without leave for Jor-
dan Valley and upon his return the
boys had departed. He was arrested .
by P. q. Merriam as O. deserter taken |
to Fort Douglas and sent to France
There he made good record. Upon |
his return he visited Mr.. Merriam,
showed his record, promised to make
good and through him secured the .
recommendation by which he landed a
Job.
AS yet the value of the goods stolen
by Lovejoy has not been determined .
and will not be until a thorough check
up is made. This is now In progress.
IT Is estimated at several thousand
dollars.
Others are said to be Implicated in
the robberies and further arrests are
expected.