Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-09-16
YOUNG WAR VETERAN
HELD CONNECTION
WITH MAIL ROBBERY
Rufus Knight Arrested by
Sheriff at bonneville, Ga
Is Alleged to Have Exhib-
tied Securities

Dispatches from Valdosta Tuesday,
telling of the arrest in bonneville,
Ga. Monday night of Rufus Knight
with Liberty bonds and securities,
valued at $295,397, in his possession,
led Atlanta postoffice inspectors to
the belief that Knight is the princi-
pal in the sensational robbery of
registered mail pouch from Southern
railway passenger train No. 36, At
lanta to New York, near Cornelia.
Ca, on the morning of September 9.
Information reached Chief Post
office Inspector Charles Riddiford by
wire early Tuesday Of the arrest of
young Knight. Inspectors Clyde
Fleming and Robert Barry were on
their way to bonneville Immediately.
where they will secure details CT
knights arrest from the local au-
thorities and bring the prisoner to
Atlanta.
Descriptions of the securities and
bonds found in Knights possession
at the ne of his arrest, while some
what vague, conceded sufficiently
with the inspectors record of the
bonds stolen from tho mail pouch
last week to convince them that
knight is, at ct, one of the prin-
cipals in the robbery.
Inspectors were inclined to believe
that the greater part of the securi-
ties found in knights possession will
prove to be non-negotiable papers.
According to reports made Tues
day to the inspectors. knights is an
ex-soldier, having served overseas
with the American forces during the
world war. He is said to be man
under twenty-five years of age.
The inspectors believe, from the
information received from Homer
vile, that Knight, following the
robbery Of the registered pouch on
the Southern Railway northbound
train Thursday morning, remained
In seclusion for several days be.
fore going anywhere in the vicinity
of bonneville, his former home.
Dispatches from Valdosta stated
that Knight was turned over to the
authorities by his uncle, H. S. Burk-
halter, representative from Clinch
county, following a visit to Mr..
Burkhalter's home by KKnight i'm
mediately after his arrival in Homer
vile, when he told his uncle of his
possession of the securities and
sought his advice as to how he could
realize on them. 80. '... ,.s. ,-.-,
= NO further arrests in the case had
been made up to 1 o'clock Tuesday,
inspectors said. According to dis
patches, they said Knight has evil
IDENTIFY made partial confession of
the crime, and that he later may i'm
plicate others in the robbery.
Inspectors said they do not know
how one man could have entered
the baggage car of the train and
take the registered pouch without
attracting attention of one or more
of the mail clerks on. duty in the
car at the time of the robbery
This angle Of the case is still be-
ing investigated
Postoffice Inspectors Clyde Flem-
ing and Robert Barry were expect
ed to return 20 Atlanta Wednesday
llLSh VI HUI Sudy 1llOIlllllS Will
Rufus Knight, who was arrest
ed Monday in bonneville with
Liberty bonds and various securities
valued at $295,397 in his possession.
Inspectors hold the opinion that
Knight, If not actually the principal
was implicated in the robbery of
registered mail pouches from South
ern Railway passenger train No. SO,
Atlanta to New York, near Cornelia
Ga, On September 9.
Knight, who is under twenty-five
years of age, is said to be an ex-
service man who was with the
American overseas forces. He is
said to have been turned over to the
authorities by his uncle H. S. Burk-
halter, representative from Clinch
county: Knight is said to have WIS.,
lted Mr. Burkhalter's home and to
have displayed the securities there