DARING BANK ROBBERY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4511, 4 September 1875, Page 3

DARING BANK ROBBERY.

The Souhegan National Bank at Milford, New Hampshire, was robbed in October last by six masked men, who broke open the house of the cashier in the night, and, after securing the other inmates, compelled the cashier to go with them to the bank and unlock the safes, from which they took a large amount of property and securities. The wide publicity given to this audacious outrage may have interfered with the disposal of the spoils. The JVashua (New Hampshire) Telegraph gives the following account of what has since happened, the statement being obtained from Mr. Towne, the president of the bank:—“About two months after the robbery Mr. Towne received a despatch from a person professing to be an ‘ independent detective ’ in Baltimore, stating that he had information concerning the stolen property, and requesting an interview. No notice was taken of this letter, but when it was followed by another, Mr. Towne thought it worth while to reply that he would be at a well-known hotel in Baltimore at a certain time. He went accordingly, and shortly after he had registered, he was greeted by the detective, who, after a few remarks, suggested that it would he better to he where they would not be interrupted, and invited the banker to his office. Mr. Town was conducted to a building not far away, and ushered through a re-ception-room on the first floor to an office, where the two sat down. Mr. Towne presumes that the detective, if such was his real avocation, eyed him sharply, with a view of determining his character and the amount of nerve he possessed, and he is certain that he returned the compliment. After some preliminary conversation, in which Mr. Towne was informed that the speaker obtained his information concerning the bonds from an attorney who was negotiating for a client, he was asked if the hank would pay 40,000 or 50,000 dollars to recover the property that had been stolen. Mr. Towne replied in a guarded statement that ‘ the bank would pay something for the recovery of the contents of the vault.’ ‘ Where are the bonds V asked Mr. Towne. ‘ I don’t know,’ was the reply. The interview lasted about an hour and a half, and in it was accomplished the sounding of each other very thoroughly. As they were about to separate the detective said, ‘ In the course of the night I think I can get a schedule of the property. Will you meet me at this office at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning ?’ ‘ I will,’ replied Mr. Towne. At 10 o’clock the next morning Mr. Towne found his man waiting to receive him. A schedule had been prepared, and he was invited to examine it. He did so thoroughly, and after saying himself that the property did not belong to the bank said, ‘ If this is a correct schedule, the bonds are not ours.’ There was a short pause. ‘ Then there is nothing more to he said,’ added Mr. Towne. The detective acknowledged as much, expressed his disappointment, and hinted that he would try again. The two men parted, and Mr. Towne came home and reported to the directors of the hank, and after a conference it was agreed to keep quiet and wait for further developments. About a week after Mr. Towne’s return he received a letter in which nothing definite was stated, and which contained the interrogation, ‘ Do you mean business ?’ Shortly after a telegram was received, requesting another interview. A consultation was had, and arranging as a matter of prudence with his family as to what place it could track him in should it happen that he ‘ was missing,’ he again went to Baltimore. He arrived in the morning, and was met at the hotel as before. He again went to the detective office, and was in consultation without being interrupted or annoyed. This interview was unlike the first in many respects. ‘Have you the money V was the detective’s inquiry. • No,’ was the answer, ‘ I have only enough for my travelling expenses.’ The detective then showed some shrewd diplomatic deportment, and, while he was not particularly uncivil, he accused Mr. Towne of double dealing and endeavor to trap him while he was making an honest effort to render him service. For the first time the latter was a little nervous, and anxious to return to the hotel. The inquiry was made how large a sum of money would be paid for the bonds. Mr. Towne evaded the question. He thought the sum demanded —40,000d01. or 50,000d0l. —too great a sacrifice, and, moreover, his confidence had become so shaken in the detective that he augured that ho was an impostor. He closed the interview abruptly, returned to his hotel, determined to abandon the search for the property in this direction, and return home. At six o’clock that evening the detective called upon him at the hotel, and solicited another interview. Mr. Towne complied. 1 How much will you givewas the first question upon reaching the office where the previous interview took place. The president declined to make an offer, but would entertain a proposition. This interview was more satisfactory. The detective nearly satisfied Mr. Towne that he could obtain the bonds, and made some propositions he agreed to submit and consider with the directors of the bank. The interview lasted several hours, and at eleven o’clock that night Mr. Towne took the train north. Upon arriving at homo he laid the matter before the directors, and, after a careful canvass of the

matter, the proposition of the detective was accepted and the time.for the transfer arranged. Arriving at Baltimore, Mr. Towne was again met at the hotel in the evening and conducted to the detective’s office. After the usual courtesies, Mr. Towne, who had got the idea that they were to go somewhere, he know not where, to obtain the stolen property, inquired, ‘Where shall we go!” This was the detective’s cue, aud he improved it. ‘ When will you be ready with the money?’ ‘ I am ready now.’ Then I want you to take out of your pocket so much ’ (naming a sum of money), and place it upon the table. ‘ This,’ says Mr. Towne, ‘was the trying moment. My mind quickly conjured up all the evils that could possibly befall me. The perspiration oozed from my whole body aud I was undecided. I fear I was sitting upon a trap. I feared the presence of another person, for the moment I placed a roll of money upon the desk the man rose, stepped to the door, aud gave a loud rap, when it opened quickly, aud a bundle was thrown upon the floor. I was requested to examine it. I did so, and for nearly an hour was engaged in examining the contents of the package and checking what belonged to the bank. I should say that about half the bonds were not ours.’ During all this time the detective showed no impatience. In fact, he was as pleasant and agreeable as he well could be under the circumstances. ‘When I got through, continued Mr. Towne, ‘he repeated his former proceeding. Take out so much money. I did as requested, when the door was opened as before and a bundle thrown in.’ Another hour was spent in examining and checking the contents of this package, in which Mr. Towne found various documents that he had not missed, aud a larger amount of the stolon property. He was assured that this was all that could be done for him, whereupon he tied the bonds and papers together, placed them upon his breast, buttoned his coat, and asked the detective to open the door. This was another trying moment. ‘lmagination pictured my assassination in the next room,’ says Mr. Towne. Passing into the reception room, of which mention has been made, he found it empty. He saw a number of men at the door. It was late, aud therefore this again alarmed him. He returned to the office, and said to the detective, ‘ Why won’t you go to the corner of the street with me ?’ The detective agreed that he would, conducted him through the crowd, which made no remarks, and accompanied him to the express office, where the property was deposited, after which they pleasantly said good-bye.”