, 1841-07-31
Latest News From jacksonville
Confession OF TOWN, the
Rank RObber.

The mail arrived from Jacksonville at half
past 4, bringing letters to a friend, from
which are derived the following particulars in
relation to the late robbery Of the Bank:
On Saturday night, the 18th II. d. Toun,
the Teller of the Bank, made a full develop
ment Of the facts connected with the ROBBIE
nv to Col. Mather, and said that the destruc-
ton Of the Books was resolved upon in a
moment of desperation, at the loss of charac-
ter consequent upon the discovery of a long
series of depredaiions upon the funds Of the
institution. This course commenced soon
after he went into the Bank-three years
since-and which he had great difficulty in
concealing from the former Cashier.
He became more aGroit as he proceeded
in his frauds, and was able to deceive the
present Cashier, who had unbounded conf
dence in him. Town averred, most solemn
ly, that the whole sum used by him was a lit
tie less than $500, which will he the only
deficit. The money taken from the vaults Of
the Bank was all recovered by Col. Mather
on Monday night. 1t was buried in three
places:--A part Of it in the Diamond Grove;
part Of it north Of own on the barrens; and
the gold in the stable lot. The process Of
robbery was commenced on Friday night,
and ended on Sunday night. In his COMES
sion 10 Col. Maiher, he implicated no one
else, nor did he at any time Afterwards
He assigned as a reason for destroying the
Books of the Bank, that had he not done so,
they would have established his past frauds;
and that If he had been Immediately arrest
ed he never would have made any disclo-
sures. During the week subsequent to the
robbery, he accused nobody, and when any
body was named as the suspicious person;
he would say that he believed they were
guilty.
Col. Mather took the money with him to
Springfield, and the citizens followed him, as
heretofore stated. He was overtaken about
9 miles from Springfield, and taken back. As
soon as he arrived, a large crowd collected,
and it was with difficulty that an entrance
could be effected into the Courthouse.
The examination was commenced, but
postponed to the next day; when Col. Math-
err detailed all the circumstances, and the con-
fession which had been made to him. Town
was fully committed. Bail TO the amount
Of $4,000 was required; but, as it was DEEM
cd too high, he was removed to Springfield,
BY habeas corpus, to procure a reduction OF
the sum-.
To show the excitement which prevailed,
1t 80 statsa, that como Of tho UitiLeis who
followed Col. Mather rode 60 miles in five
hours-frst TO overtake him, and then to re-
turn and give the news that he was on his
wav back.
Throughout the whole affair, Town acted
with perfect indifference, and even after his
uneasy-ihat he was innocent, and that a
righteous God would assert it,"&c.
He was. up to the time. highly esteemed,
and but a short time previous was a candid.
ate, before The Parent Board, and came with
in one vote Of being elected, Cashier of the
Bank. Great sympathy is expressed for his
family and friends.
10 a letter written by Town, on the elst.
he says:-"l have need of friends, though |
do not deserve ,hem.-[Rspublican.