News: John H. Schwalm, 1916, Hanover, York County, PA

Contributed and transcribed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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RIFLED THE U.S. MAILS

REGISTER CLERK JOHN H. SCHWALM CAUGHT BY DECOY LETTERS.

Confronted With Evidence by P. O. Inspectors, Accused Confessed Guilt and 
Entered Bail for Appearance Before the District Court.

John H. Schwalm, of Centennial Avenue, register-clerk at the Hanover Post 
Office, was taken into custody Tuesday evening by H. E. Lucas and J. F. 
Gartland, postoffice inspectors, charged with pilfering the mails.  The 
defendant entered bail in the sum of $1,000, before squire Sell, for his 
appearance at the United States Circuit Court in Scranton, at a future date.

The action of the inspectors was taken under direction of J. T. Cortelyou, chief 
inspector, with offices in Philadelphia, on recent complaints by local patrons 
at the office that money mailed in letters had not reached the persons to whom 
they were sent.  At the request of Postmaster Eichelberger, Mr. Cortelyou kept a 
close watch for several months on the Hanover office, and finally the “decoy 
letter,” which seldom fails, was decided upon.  The P. O. inspectors Lucas and 
Gartland having mailed two letters for delivery, one in Hanover and the other in 
McSherrystown arrived in Hanover to watch developments.  These letters arrived 
at the office on the 7:18 p.m. train Tuesday.  The one contained $2.50 and the 
other $3.25 in currency and coin.

The inspectors were concealed in the secret lookout passage of the office when 
the mail arrived.  Mr. Schwalm opened the pouch and distributed it alone.  In 
the office however at the same time was also Postmaster Eichelberger, clerks C. 
J. Bange and Mervin Myers, and mail messenger Myrtle Wine.

From the “lookout” the inspectors saw Mr. Schwalm take the two “decoy letters“ 
containing the money from the mail and remove the money from the envelopes.  He 
placed the money in one of his pockets and the letters in another.

Without warning he was then called into the Postmaster’s private office where 
the inspectors confronted him.  Realizing that a denial was useless Mr. Schwalm 
confessed the charge.  Justice of the Peace L. D. Sell was then summoned by 
phone to his office where information was made against the P. O. clerk, and he 
was held under $1,000 bail for the District Court.

Mr. Schwalm has been employed in the local postoffice since October 1, 1900.  He 
is married and is prominent in local lodge circles.

The Hanover Herald – Saturday, July 22, 1916