The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-11-17

CHARLOTTE MEcKLENBURG COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA


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Bank of $1,000; went to Connecticut
plundered several jewelry stores in tha
State, robbed an Indiana exchange agent
of a considerable sum, plundered severa
of the principal shops. and Joined Jack
Rand and Bell Smith. The trio next at
tempted to rob the oil company. By means
of false keys the rascals got into the CON-
pany's safe, but to their chagrin found the
Golfers empty. For two or three nights
they continued the experiment but still
found no money. Enraged with i'll success
Phil resolved not to have allthis trouble for
nothing. Having carefully examined the
company's books and acquainted himself
with their method of doing business. he
forged their name and personating one of
their employees, got it discounted and left
the city. When the note became due, the
unfortunate employee whose name he had
assumed. was tried for forgery and SEN
fenced to Sing Sing for FIVE years.
Thence the confederates went to Quebec.
Their exploits in that city having alarmed
the people and walked up the vigilance of
the officers, they left for Nova Scotia.
A few weeks after their arrival there,
the Bank robbery of $4,000 was commit
ted. In this stupendous affair. Phil en-
ployed all his devilish genius. His manner
of proceeding is sometime slow, but always
sure. With bit of wax he took an i'm
preston of the outside door lock, and from
this model they constructed a key. An
other night the robbers entered the build
ing, and took impressions of the locks of
the drawers and vaults, and made other
keys as before; and were sure Of success.
I. is asserted that Phil had often devoted
six months study to the plan of an enter
prise, and when it promised largely, has
not scrupled to spend $4,000 in maturing
it. He possesses great powers of strategy
and invention. At Auburn he made II key
for securing the CRATES, and gave it to the
jailor, who sold the secret to a house in
New York. They got it patented, and have
realized large profits from its sale.
Ordinarily, Phil managed an affair and
let HIS COuIcucEdLcS 0AcCuIc Dub Al
Nova Scotia he departed from this prudent
custom and to this negligence he owes
his detection.
Jack Rand, one of his accomplices was
born in New Hampshire, where he exercis-
ed tho trado Of a locksmith. He began
his career of crime with stealing five hum
dred dollars for which he suffered two
years Imprisonment.
After the expiration of his term, he fig
ured in the robbery of the Portsmouth Bank
and received $4,000 as his share of the
spoils. He sent part of it to his father,
who. being found with some of it in his
possession, was arrested for the crime
Jack, not altogether forgetful of the obli
cations of son, confessed himself the
guilty party to the police. He was i'm
prisoned and his father set at liberty; but
the rascal made his escape in about four
months. At Concord he was arrested for
larceny. He got out again; and in New
Jersey this modern Jack Sheppard COM
mitted a heavy wharf robbery. They
caught and imprisoned him, and for the
third time he broke Jail. He was, however
recaptured in Philadelphia, and sent back
to New Jersey, where he was acquitted in
some unexplained manner.
Disguised with the State, he went to
Canada with Stanley, and the two travelled
up and down the St. Lawrance. Steam
boats expresses, &C., were the theatre of
their operations. One time they atte mPt-
ed to steal box containing $5O,0O0 in gold
dust, but failed. Phil was arrested for the
attempt, but was discharged for want of
evidence.
The last of this diabolical trio was Bill
Smith, whom we may regard as the servant,
or rather slave of the other two. He does
the most dangerous and servile work, and
receives the least pay.
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