Year: 1876

cinnati Commercial





Having thus located the case to his
own satisfaction, Captain Henry settled
down TO business with quiet determlna-
tion TO win if it took all summer. Alter
q thorough analysis of the working force
of the Office, it remained doubtful not only
as to who the guilty person was, but rs
TO what division of the service he might
be found employed in. 1t became neces-
sary to test every man in the office, BY
most rigid, systematic and patient IN
quiry. This Investigation was only
partially finished when Henry was
called by telegraph to San
dlsky, to make the investigation
which resulted in the arrest of Postmas-
ter Van Tyne. The investigation at
Columbus was pursued in his absence
and at all times in the way OF cooper
alton and assistance by the postmaster
the assistant postmaster and two other
attaches of the office. Captain Henry
returned as soon as possible to Columbus.
The nature of the losses seemed some
times TO implicate one man, sometimes
another. Apparently trivial incidents,
however, were gradually gathered which
narrowed the circle of inquiry: and polat.
ed to certain times in the week, as we'll
as to certain localities in the office itself,
as proper objects of inquiry. Every
possible device was resorted to in order to
gain some further light. Itwould not be
proper to expose all these devices IN de-
tail, as it would only result in giving
hints TO other thieves who remain un-
detected. 1t seems proper TO say, how
ever, that over one hundred decoys were
sent from different points at different
times, every one of which passed through
without being touched. An accidental
hint directed attention to the water
closet of the City Hall as the place
where letters were probably disposed OF,
and for days there was not piece OF
paper an inch square that went through
there without registering its character Tor
the investigation. For months there was
not a letter distributed in the Office, day
or night, which did not come within the
observation of men constantly on the
watch. During the night, at different
times, walls were pierced, floors were re.
moved, ana points OF observation
were constructed in the very
walls of the building, from which men
saw the unconscious workers handling
all the mail practically that has passed
through the offices.tor weeks. There Is
something fearful in the though ht that such
means have to be used TO discover and
protect the public from crimes which
must otherwise remain forever undiscov-
cred and unpunished. There is some
thing more fearful still in the thought
that the criminal in this case was uncou-
sciously at work night after night under
the vigilsnt eye OF man of whose very
existence he was utterly unconscious--a
man whom hs had never met in his life.
This man knew accurately every motion
of his hand, knew how much money
he spent IN market and the denomina-
ton OF it, how many eggs he bought,
how many pounds of meat aud what he
paid for the purchase; yet the criminal
did not know there was such man IN
exi:tence. In the postotiice, where he
he supposed he was out of sight and per-
fectly secure, this poor wretch had been
working in tull sight Of walls that had
ewes if not ears. One man saw every
thing for eighteen nights another for
eight nights. All the time the
Postmaster and his assistants, the
special agent and his assistants,
had been patiently working and
waiting and watching for proof OF
guilt against the criminal, under an ex-
asperating shower OF complaints, which
could only be endured with such patience
as they could muster, till the proofs
could be made up. The impatient per.
sons who have wondered and found
unlimited fault, are welcome TO suggest
any more rapid course than that which
finally succeeded. For it could not fail
to succeed in time, and succeed it did.
Finally, one night the watcher saw the
distributing clerk, then entirely alone in
the front room of the postotiice, with a
quick motion, thumb" certain letters,
some of which, to the number Of five
that night he expertly opened, aud after
examining them as expertly sealed them
again and put them back into the mail.
Nothing was taken out; nothing re-
msined on his person rs evidence. No
proof Of guilty intent except the act OF
opening, examining and resealing the
letters. The same thing occurred
another night; two letters opened.
Another night two more. Other nights;
many ether nights, none. Finally, yes
terdsy morning, just before the alarm OF
fire sounded, he was observed to open
Ave letters, laying them down on his
table. Captain Henry and another whose
name is not TO be mentioned Captain
Henry's most trusted and valued
assistant) Immediately made q
rush from their place of Obssr-
vs,ion, down the stairway, out into the