The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-23
Correspondence Of the Herald

COLUMBUS, April &c. ls43
AS this day of rest, and nothing to do, and sup.
posing that you take little interest in the ways and
doings of the good citizens of this place write this
scroll to give you faint idea of whathas been going
on for the last thrty-six hours. We have had the
greatest excitement that have ever known here,
and you know that we are subject to excitements,
as that Is all that keeps us alive in the summer.
The Western Insurance and Trust Company
(Shylock), on Friday night between eight and nine
o'clock, was robbed of about $4,000 Murdoch
and Allen Bass went into the Bank for the purpose
of counting the money. They opened the vault. and
whilst IN the vault Bass thought he heard some per-
son at the door; he went to the door, enc,
locked it, and went back again into the vault; he
held the candle In his hand, standing with his back
towards the door: in an instant himself and MUIR
doch were grabbed by some persons, and the light
put out Bass commenced making a noise, they
told them that if they made any noise; they would
at once kill them whilst each had his man by the
throat. Some one or two more were picking up the
funds unfortunately in the vault After they had
got all they wanted, they locked Bass and Murdoch
in the vault, and told them if they made any noise
before they (he robbery got out of the house. that
they would go back and put their lights out. They
remained in the vault about three hours before they
could make themselves be heard. The next morn
ing the excitement commenced No knew
anything about 1t; every man had his own conjec-
lures; no one knew where to go nor what to do The
company at once offered reward of 5000. Nearly
every person suspected the gamblers, OF whom we
now have a goody number After while there
was negro W no said he saw Thos G.. McKeen
about that time in the evening, coming from towards
the bank with something under his arm, and went
into his room adjoining the Oglethorp, in the wing on
Randolph street. Search was Immediately made
there, and in few minutes they found 81 300 in the
bottom Of flower pot, the flower was growing
finely He was Immediately taken into custody
by A. X. Aver and N. M G. Robinson; they took him
into a room, questioned him for long time before
they could get any thing out OF him. After while
he intmated that If the Shylock would give their
obligations not TO prosecute him, give him $1,000,
and carry him one hundred miles from here, he
would tell them where the money was. The PROPOSE
ton was made to them, they AT once complied with
IT, loving money better than their souls-and Tom
started on his way rejoicing, accompanied by Aver
and Robinson. Tom was 10 tell them where the
money alter they had left here. As soon as the
citizens had found out what done, every voice
was raised againstthat course, and it was proposed
at once to go after them. In few hours after Aver
came back, he said to ascertain the feelings OF the
community, leaving Tom and Robinson in the wood.
Aver soon found out that it would not be safe for
him unless he brought McKeen back. Before Tom
was brought back, he told where the money was
gave an order to Aver ]. L. Lewis Uang) to
"gve up the bag Of money" Lang new nothing
about it, Tom was brought back and put in Jail
We were all well satisfied in our minds, that Aver
and Robinson knew more about it than the rest of
us; the excitement was turning against them.
Some time in the night they went to Lang's house,
told HIM that he had the money and must give II,
they were now implicated After while, he told
been examining witnesses. Col. j. L.. Lewis, now
District Attorney,sis in custody tomorrow may
bring forth something more.
r. >. have just learned that Tom has told OF two
more persons that were with them who are on their
wayto Mobile: They strangers in this place. IL
the whole truth can be brought out, II is.thought
some more In high life will be found in the scrape.