The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-10-19
From the N. Y. JournGt Of Commerce.

THE ROBBERY OF THE CRY BANK. Since
the arrest Of all the parties that were conc ern-
ed, directly or indirectly, in the robbery of this
Institution in April last, full confession has
been obtained by the Police Magistrates of all
the circumstances connected with that UMPIRE
cedented transaction.
1t appears that The principal agents in the
scheme were Smith and Murray. Their first in
tsntion was to rob the Phenix Bank the outer.
door of which Murray entered three times. The
scheme was frustrated by his discovering the
last time he entered, tina; person had been
stationed within FOR the purpose Of keeping
watch. They then resolved to attempt the rob-
berry of the City Bank. Tho KEYS used wer
made by Murray in Smiths shop, from wax
impression of each key-hole, which he had OBJ
tanned. They entered tho Bank on Sunday
afternoon before the watch was set, and did not
leave it until after day light on Monday morn
ing, when the watch was discharged Each of
them was provided with large cloak, by which
they were enabled TO escape observation, with
their booty. The money was taken to Muir
rays house, and afterwards by Smith, to Mr..
Bangs's, as appeared in tho course of his trial.
On Thursday night succeeding the event,
Smith carried to the house of Parkinson about
500 doubloons and quantity of the stolen
notes, amounting in all to about $4,000 Par.
kinson states that Smith requested him to take
care Of it for him, but said nothing about the
manner by which he had obtained it, though he,
knowing of the robbery, had no doubt i, was a
portion of the bank money. He therefore con-
cealed it first under the bricks in the FIRE place,
and afterwards in the old plane, in which it was
recently found Mrs Smith was acquainted
with the fact Of his having the money, and ro-
ceived of him, for various purposes, at different
times, about two thousand dollars.
IL is also ascRrtained that Smith and Muyrav
were notorious rogues in England, and that
they became acquainted at Botany Bay. The
real name of Smith is James Honeyman. lie
at one time passed by the name of James Winn,
and carried on the business of leather dra2c
in London. He subsequently opened public
house in B!ackfrar's Road, which became a
general rendezvous for thieves and pick pockets.
In 1873, he was approhended upon charge Of
felony, and being found guilty, was sentenced
to be transported TO Botany Bay, for the term
oil his natural life. lie succeeded in making his
escape in about yenr, and returned 10 LONDON
In November, 1929, he and Parkinson came to
this country. Parkinson having previously be.
come bankrupt
There was another individual, 10 whom it
whs intended by Smith and Murray TO give
certain shnre Of the profits Of the enterprze -
he, however, was so unfortunate as 10 DO ar
rested and sentenced to the State Prison on the
day before the robbery wns committed. On
Monday morning, while he was on board the
steamboat, bound for Sing Sing, he recognized
Murray among a crowd Of persons on the wharf,
and held up his closed hand 10 him. He was
answered by Murray's holding up both hands
opcn, which we understand to mean, thai he,
Murray was willing TO give ter thousand dol.
lars TO procure his pardon.
So much Of the money as has not been re.
covered by the Bank, was piyen by Smith 10 |
Murray, on tho same night that no visited Par
kinson After the apprehension of Smith, Muir
ray decampcd, and was arrested in Philadelphia.
There is little or no probability now, thatit ov-
or will DO restored to tho Banh.