Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-05-30


Mail Robbers Taken.
Erastus Beard and J. X. Barnes were brought to
town on Tuesday and Wednesday last, IN CUSTODY
q Mail Robbers. II will be recoliected that some
months since an attempt was made to rob the 81
Louis Mail, between Peoria and Springfield. The
Post Master At Peoria put up the mails for Spring
aeld and Louis in separate bags on that occasion,
and, instead Of robbing the st Louis Mail, a. was
intended they cut open the Springfield mail and got
comparatively nothing. E. w. Clark l. Co., had
forwarded package in the same mail from this
place, containing eleven hundred dollars. As the
Post Master at Peoria gave them assurances that
the 81 Louis mail had not been molested they could
not account for its non reception at St Louis. Mr.
Fayerweather, the U. S. Mail Agent, was apprised
or the loss, and set about finding the robbers
while in Detroit some time since Mr. F. obtaineda
clue which encouraged him to prosecute his inves-
tigasions. Mr. Clark's money, which was taken
from the mail, was all marked. He found broker
who had exchanged the money, and in making the
exchange he had given Land Warrant Of certain
number. On Mr. Fps return to this place from De-
troit, - it now appears, he crossed on the Ferry
Boat with one Of the veritable robbers. He did not,
however, know it At the time. few days since
he got track of him. writ was put into the hands
of the U. s. Deputy Marshal, John Buel, Esq, who
in company with constable Harris, and Mr. Burns of
Frink's stage ONCE, went in pursuit of the robber
They found him about IS miles west Of Pella, in
Jasper county, in the act of bargaining for claim
ON which he intended 10 locate with his Land War
rant. He was arrested and several hundred dollars
were found upon him. On Tuesday he was brought
10 town, and during the night he named Barnes,the
famous keeper of the Pioneer House in Oquawka,
&C his chief accomplice in the robbery. From him
Il vas ascertained that the robbery was committed
near Oquawka. The place of the Key and every
thing was so infinitely described, that offers were
Immediately sent to Oquawka to arrest Barnes. He
was brought to this city on Wednesday morning,
and they WERE both ttken and on their way to
Springfield the same day. where they have since
rived.
Much praise is due to Mr. Fayerweather in fer
reting out these robbers, and to Deputy Marshal
Duel and Messrs Harris and Burns for their perse-
vsrance in taking them. Beard has been stage
agent for Frink and Co., between Oqnawka and Pc
: uria. Several robberies have been committed at
Barnes Hotel at Oquawka within the past few
months, and he has been looked upon with suspic-
ion. A few weeks since Raftsman obtained $iso
in this place, and spent the night in Oquawka. In
the morning he found himself stripped Of the whole,
and his disappointment was great as to lead him
TO drown himself.
We under stand that Messrs Clark Co. have re-
covered about $500. The detection OF these rob-
bers must be very gratifying to the Postmaster at
Peoria.
The following, handed Us by one cognizant Of all
the facts, will correct any inaccuracies that may
be found in the above statement:
The money was mailed on the evening of the sth
February, and left in mail of l4th. The N Y pack
sgs consisted Of 100000 notes North River Blk,
N. Y. City. They took numbers, letter and dates of
these notes, and marked in red ink across face
The package to st Louis consisted Of $500, Mis-
souri, Bank notes, and draft for $500. The North
River notes and portion Of the Missouri notes
were sold by Beard to broker by the name Of
Lewis, in Detroit. This fact was communicated
to E. w. Clark. Bros. Co., by their N. Y. ONCE.
Tns former Immediately Telegraphed to Mr. Fsyer.
weather, who was then at Peoria, whs at once pro-
ceeded to Detroit, and satisfied himself. from the
description given Of the person, that Beard was the
man. He also ascertained where Beard made pur-
Glasses, in his own name, at Chicago, using the same
money he received at Detroit in exchange for the
etnlen funds. Mr. Fayerweather Immediately Tel
eessphed to +. w. Clark, Bros Co., that Beard
Was the man, and to despatch officers for his ar
rest. Deputy Marshal Buel, Constable Harris and
Mr. Burns, Agent Of the Stage company, left here
for this purpose Friday morning, 18th inst, and
bucceeded in arresing BEARD on the following sun
6ayi and returned with him to this place on the
foaiowing Tuesday, when he was delivered up to
~ mail agent, who, in the meantime, had returned
64n Detroit.