Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-03-29
BANK ROBBERY.


As the all absorbing topic of the day is in re!a-
ton to the late robbery of the City Bank, and as
I have heard it frequently remarked. thatno rob-
berry of equal extent had ever been committed in
this country. ! send you the following account of
two bank robberies under similar circumstances
In the wear 1898 the Bank of Pennsylvania,
then kept in the Carpenters Hall, in Philade phia
was entered, and about one hundred and sixty
thousand dollars taken away As no force up
reared TO have been committed, the natural con-
clusion was that the bank locks had been opened
by means of false keys. The directors attached
suspicion to MIR. Patrick Lyon, very ingenious
scksmith, who made the original keys for the
iron doors, which he had also manufactured. On
inquiry being made for Lyon, it was found that
he had, just after the robbery. left the city in
shaIlop for Cape May. to which place he was pur-
sued. apprehended. ard brought back prisoner
! to the city, and committed tojaii, on suspicion
of bsing concerned in the robbery. The yellnw
fever was then prevailing in Philadelphia; mos,
! of the inhabitants had removed to the country,
and the poor honest fellow remained in conline-
ment a considerable time. hnupright jury a.
warded him Sic, 600 damages against the direc-
tors of the bank. During the following winter.
! journeyman carpenter, believe his name was
Davis, began to move in considerable style.
made deposits in different banks, and endeavored
to make his wav into company other than that he
had been accustomed to. This excited the sus
picion of the Mayor. who believe was Mr.. Ro-
bert Wharton. He laid his plans unprecedented
! Davis. and obtained from him within "A few thon-
! sand dollars of the amount distracted from the
bank I do not recollect If he was punished
but beIievehe was not. Itappeared that he had
acted IN conjunction with the man having charge
of the keys to take to the cashiers house. This
man died Of the yellow fever the same season,
being taken i'll Immediately after the robbery.
The other case was that Of the old branch bank
at Charleston. S. G. which was also entered BY
means of false KEYS. and one hundred and sixty
and silver The directors offered reward OF
ten thousand dollars, which set to work almost
the whole city; every suspicious person, CONVEX
sation. and observation, were reported to the d.
rectors, when the following circumstances brought
| the matter to light. A man by the name OF Gray,
went into Grocery store, and paid small debt
in specie AS he was man known to be very
sbert of cash. the grocer observed to him. that if
he was not person of good character. they
would suppose he had robbed the bank On which
observation he was observed to change color.
could hardly speak, and appeared to be choakcd:
took up bottle. and drank offnear half a pint OF
rum. Some persons present began to joke with
hun. and elected sufficient TO induce the bank to
apprehcnd him; yet nothing could be- brought Il
gainst him. A slave of hls was taken up andpnt
In confinement, coaxed and threatened, bat moth
ing could be elected from hIm. and he was dis
charged. Another slave Of Gray's was appre-
hended, and on a promise of his freedom deycl-
opcd the whole of the robbery. pointed out the
place where the money was concealed-which
vas in hole near his masters barn covered with
manure, about one and aquarter miles out of the
city--;o which place eoaptain ofthe guard with
his men repaired aud found the whole OF the mo-
neg taken from the bank, and with the exception
Of few hundred dollars, the whole amount was
returned 20 the place from whence it bad been
robbed Exactly opc week from the time it had
Geeq takeb away. Gfaywas eonyic,ed and brand
ed H. tht hand. He afterwards confessed the
wny.e, 81 the manner ne had pursued to effect
the rcbbery. The bank paid the reward. pur--
chasea tie freedom of they6!aok man, and sent
MIN to fhladeiyh with directions to change his
came " T. t0sr;rr g. E,'q,sirer.