The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-16

The Omar MAIL RoBBERY. Thousand
Dollars Rrpard. The postmaster Of Philadelphia
offers, by teegrsphic instructions from Washing
tor, one thousand dollars for the discovery Of the
perpetrators of the daring robbery Of the U States
mail effected on Saturday night, between Phiadei-
phia and Gray's Ferry, a brief account of which
we gave Yesterday by telegraph. We give the
following detailed account from the Philadelphia
Ledger Of yesterday:
Early on Sunday morning, Mr.. Lewis Remen-
ter, occupying farm near the turn OF the Balti-
more railroad, opposite the Arsenal, discovered q
short distance from his house two mail pouches,
cut omen, and their contents scattered about The
letters had all been opened, but the number OF
checks and drafts left among the mass showed that
the robbers had been cautious to take any thing
but notes. Mr.. Rementer despatched Mr. Lowell
Glare to the city to give the necessary information,
and further search led IN the discovery OF another
pouch OF, the adjoining farm Of Thomas Colwell.
The letters and rifed pouches were brought to
the post-office. From an examination of the
pouches, they proved 10 be those made up at New
York, on Saturday, for Wheeling, Richmond,
and Raleigh, containing letters for Louisville,
Nashville, Vncennes, Indianapolis, 81. Louis,
Memphis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Ohio, and
Frankfurt, Kentucky. The letters found fill a
three -bushe bag, and We're last evening sent back
to New York to be delivered TO the writer's
From the great number of drafts and checks
found, il is evident the bbers contented them
selves with the notes only, rejecting every other
description of promises TO pay. No idea can be
formed of the amount of money obtained, as the
letters were not accurately examined, but there
can he no doubt that thousands will be required
to cover the loss. One letter among those found
had contained over 500 in notes, written by Car
penter and Vermillye, Wall street, New York.
and addressed to r. Fl. Maury, Richmond, Va.
There was also box that had contained jeweIry.
Nothing certain has yet been discovered as to
the manner in which the robbery was effected.
e IL ,,aI har hxyf ha
line from New York on Saturday evening, which
was destined to the Southwest, was conveyed to
the depot from Walnut street wharf, rs is usual,
and thrown into the mail car From the spot
where the pouches were found, It is generally
thought that the robbery took place this side OF
the bridge, though this seems TO be impossible
because the mail car, when on the way to Gray's
Ferry, was all the time within sight of the pas
senrer cars, and the moon being bright, the drI-
yers of the teams could not well have missed
seeing such transaction. The train on Saturday
evening met with detention west of the river,
which is thought by some to have been purt or the
plan for the robbery.
. On nearing a bridge across the Bell road, about
three miles from the river, the conductor discov-
cred that it was on fire. and the tram was stopped.
The bridge was but 4 or yards long, and III one
part the framework supporting the track was en-
tirely consumed. After eNtngushing the fire,
the train returned to the ferry, and men and tim
Der were despatch ed to the bridge for the purpose
Of repairing il, 50 as to allow the trains 10 pass.
During his necessary detention, the passengers
mostly returned to the hotel, and the robbery was,
it is supposed, accomplished while the mail car
vas left standing in this vicinity until o'clock,
when the train again started. The agent in charge
was Mr.. VIM. F. Anderson, recently transferred
from the Washington post Office. AS nothing
was said Of a robbery, the probability is that
the agent was ignorant Of il when the train from
Baltimore passed the one iihed. 49,
The mail from this city escaped by being COW
errd TN by that received by the New York pilot
line. No mail matter east Of New York was re-
ceiyed owing TO the connection failing at that city
The robbers, by their choice Of the most valuable
pouches, have proved thems Ives experienced in
such matters, and that the affair was one for Il
long time in contemplation. The drafts were care
essiy thrown about, one draft fr $3.50 being found
in a turnip patch, at some distance from the mass
of letters. A black silk neckerchief was found
twisted around the handle of one Of the pouches,
so as to make it easier 10 be carried. 49,.
Since The abo:e was in type, we learn that in
the opinion of the officers of the road, the burning
of the bridge was an accidental affair, and not con-
nected with the robbery. 1t perhaps caught from
the train that came up the road about O'Clock
the same evening. The express and mail cars
were coupled together at the Market street depot,
and on the road to Gray's ferry were followed by
the passenger car. 1t is now believed that the
robbery was committed just beyond the curve at
Broad and Pine streets, while hid from the view Of
The driver Of the following car, and that the car
! was entered by false key. After the cars
had reached Gray's Ferry, the man engaged in
| coupling the mail car to that which followed, DIS
covered the door in the rear OF the former to be
open. After examining to see that no person was
concealed inside, the door was locked again, no
suspicious Of robbery being excited. The mail
agent, it is said, was seated in the baggage car
during the ride to the ferry. This is, perhaps, as
bold and successful robbery us has ever been
concoced in this country
The Pennsylvania severely censures the mail
agent, Mr. Anderson, laying particular stress upon
The fact that he in the passenger car, sererai
hundred yards behind, (as 1t says) and out Of sight.
1t adds:--
All the robbers had to do was to provide them
selves with key to the company locks, jump on
behind open the door, throw out as many pouches
as they could before the cars got under full head
way again, and then Jump off and dispose Of
them. And this is doubtless the way in which it
was done
Many will wonder that such robbery could he
committed, but when they see how unguarded this
important mail was left on Saturday night, and
learn hat this is very frequent occurrence, the
wonder will be that it WIS not committed before
The danger of such robbery was pointed out TO
the department full two years ago, and the neres.
$ ty Of appointing mail agents for the night train,
carrying us it doea the great through mail, -
strongly urged. Recently two agents have Geen
appointed.
From the advertiser and Gazetts, Montgomery, .atd
Il D.. nj,