Extensive Mail Robbery.
For some time past, at intervals, the Postmaster at Chicago and his assistants have been aware of an important and serious leak in the transmission of important mails sent from the Chicago post-office, and they have been on the lookout, though puzzled at the outset by the blindness of the scent. A discovery just made lets much light on the mystery, in the singular and unsuspected direction of a train news-boy and water-carrier, who has written his name nigh on the list of mail depredators by the actual larceny of letters and valuable mail matter in value exceeding the sum of eleven thousand dollars. The Chicago Times says:‘ On the night express train on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, due here yesterday morning, when twenty-five miles distant from this city, the baggage-master, Mr. Sadd, passed through his car where the mails were piled, and on which the train-boy, Hudson, as was his custom, was making his bed, he saw some letters scattered on the floor.--Suspecting all was not right, Mr. Sadd went into a forward car, lighted his lamp, and mentioned his discovery to the brakesman; both returned to the baggage car, but the letters were gone as well as the boy.
Hudson was found in the saloon of the foremost passenger car, and was taken into custody and examined by the conductor and baggage-master. On his person were found three letters, one addressed to Col. J. N. Morris, Washington, D. C, one to Henry Kellogg, Hartford, Conn., (both unopened,) and one to Samuel H. Pearce, (opened,) destination unknown, the envelope having been destroyed.
During a partial examination of Hudson before U. S. Commissioner Hoyne, he made a confession as to a portion of the offence charged against him. He is now in jail. He gives his name and has passed as William H. Hudson, about eighteen years old. He has filled the position as train-boy on this train in the capacities familiar to the traveling public in the sale of newspapers, fruit, etc., and supplying passengers with water, and it seems has thus enjoyed facilities which he has liberally improved for robbing the mails. On the night of September 10th the mail-bag sent from Chicago to Quincy arrived at its destination in due time, but with its entire contents abstracted. Every effort was made by the Department to discover the manner in which the robbery had been effected, but without success. Until this arrest of young Hudson it had been enveloped in mystery. Among the letters now found is a portion of that lost mail.
Upon opening Hudson's trunks a large amount of mail matter was found, including letters containing valuable property, drafts, notes and land warrants, all of which had been opened and carefully enveloped in a cotton pocket-handkerchief. The total amount in drafts and notes amounts to $11,321.73, not including the value of the land warrants.
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