The Expressman and the Detective | Page 5

office in New York, and knew nothing of the
ramifications of the company. Besides, I did not know how I would be

received in the South. I had held my anti-slavery principles too long to
give them up. They had been bred in my bones, and it was impossible
to eradicate them. I was always stubborn, and in any circumstances
would never abandon principles I had once adopted.
Slavery was in full blossom, and an anti-slavery man could do nothing
in the South. As I had always been a man somewhat after the John
Brown stamp, aiding slaves to escape, or keeping them employed, and
running them into Canada when in danger, I did not think it would do
for me to make a trip to Montgomery.
I did not know what steps had already been taken in the case, or
whether the loss was a heavy one. From the Vice-President's saying he
wanted a man "half horse, half alligator," I supposed he wanted a man
who could at least affiliate readily with the inhabitants of the South.
But what class was he to mix with? Did he want a man to mix with the
rough element, or to pass among gentlemen? I could select from my
force any class of man he could wish. But what did he wish?
I was unaware of who had recommended me to the Vice-President, as
at that time I had not been informed that my old friend Boyer had
spoken so well of me. What answer should I make to the dispatch? It
must be answered immediately!
These thoughts followed each other in rapid succession as I held the
dispatch before me.
I finally settled on Porter as the proper man to send, and immediately
telegraphed the Vice-President, informing him that Porter would start
for Montgomery by the first train. I then sent for Porter and gave him
what few instructions I could. I told him the little I knew of the case,
and that I should have to rely greatly on his tact and discretion.
Up to that time I had never done any business for the Adams Express,
and as their business was well worth having, I was determined to win.
He was to go to Montgomery and get thoroughly acquainted with the

town and its surroundings; and as my suspicions had become aroused
as to the integrity of the agent, Maroney, he was to form his
acquaintance, and frequent the saloons and livery stables of the town,
the Vice-President's letter having made me aware of Maroney's
inclination for fast horses. He was to keep his own counsel, and, above
all things, not let it become known that he was from the North, but to
hail from Richmond, Va., thus securing for himself a good footing with
the inhabitants. He was also to dress in the Southern style; to supply me
with full reports describing the town and its surroundings, the manners
and customs of its people, all he saw or heard about Maroney, the
messengers and other employés of the company; whether Maroney was
married, and, if so, any suspicious circumstances in regard to his wife
as well as himself--in fact, to keep me fully informed of all that
occurred. I should have to rely on his discretion until his reports were
received; but then I could direct him how to act. I also instructed him to
obey all orders from the Vice-President, and to be as obliging as
possible.
Having given him his instructions, I started him off on the first train,
giving him a letter of introduction to the Vice-President. On Porter's
arriving in Montgomery he sent me particulars of the case, from which
I learned that while Maroney was temporarily filling the position of
agent, among other packages sent to the Montgomery office, on the
twenty-seventh of January, 1859, were four containing, in the aggregate,
forty thousand dollars, of which one, of two thousand five hundred
dollars, was to be sent to Charleston, S. C., and the other three, of thirty
thousand, five thousand, and two thousand five hundred respectively,
were intended for Augusta. These were receipted for by Maroney, and
placed in the vault to be sent off the next day. On the twenty-eighth the
pouch was given to the messenger, Mr. Chase, and by him taken to
Atlanta. When the pouch was opened, it was found that none of these
packages were in it, although they were entered on the way-bill which
accompanied the pouch, and were duly checked off. The poor
messenger was thunder-struck, and for a time acted like an idiot,
plunging his hand into the vacant pouch over and over again, and
staring vacantly at the way-bill. The Assistant Superintendent of the
Southern Division was in the Atlanta office when the loss was

discovered, and