Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-10-21

ROBBERY OF THE NlOHMoND Oooio4itA -,
AT an early hour on, Tuesday morning, inc ioth
inst. the porter ofitlie Custom House in Kich-
mond. Proceeded to the Collectors office, as u
sual. for the purpose of sweeping, etc, and, on
reaching the building, discovered that the CEN
trail front door was ajar. Looking in he OBJ
served that gold coin was scattered about the
floor. He summoned several citizens to the
spot and induced them to keep watch at the
door while he hurried to apprize the Collector,
Mr.. VIM. NJ Harrisors of the robbery. Mr. H.
hurried to the Custom House, and, upon enter
ing his office, in company with three prominent
merchants, found that the large iron. safe-the
"Sub. Treasury"-had been broken open, and
large proportion of its contents distracted and
carried off. .l,.,t7. .,,. :,
The floor of the office was strewn with gold
coin. and empty bags; and near the front door
were deposited a couple of small pouches, which
the burglars probably intended to- return for
but concluded, no doubt, that it was safer not
to do So The news of the robbery spread thro
the city, and curiosity attracted a large number
of citizens to the Custom House, but the doors
were kept closed, until Mr.. Harrison, his depu-
ties, and the merchants who extended their as
sistance, had counted the treasure remaining
The amount of the specie which had been lett IN
the safe Monday afternoon, was $67 900. The
result of the investigation showed that the sum
of SOC, 6SS, had been distracted, consisting OF
$4,000 in twenties, $5,6S5 in fives, and one So
piece. 81 III % ls2lH pa
The wreck of the safe door was complete
The head of the upper left rivet had been knock
ed off with cold chisel, and an aperture also
made leloao the block which constitutes the
sspowder proof look" Through these erevices
powder was poured into the frame of the door
and ignted: The explosion burst apart the
frame work and enabled the burglars to prize o.
pen the shattered door. The safe was one OIL
Herring's powder proofs" Do o.ri f1 ".
| The burglars are supposed to have arrived a,
Richmond few days beforehand, put up at the
Exchange Hotel, were out the the whole might
of the robbery, came back to their lodgings ear.
" on the morning after with muddy boots paid
for cleaning the sameia gold quarter eagle, and
took passage the same morning for Washington
on the R. F. and P. r. r. paying their fare in
gold. The police of the city knew these facts
we learn, in good time, yet no telegraph wa;
sent to Washington for their arrest, and the bur-
glars, gold and all, are oil, rejoicing on theil
way. It is, however, thought that the greater
portion of the money will be recovered. 97s.i'H
The Richmond Wing of Monday says: "a
man who registered his name as sW. Summer
9ille,' was arrested at the Powhatan House, il
this city, on Saturday morning by an officer from
Washington, on suspicion 'of being connected
I with the recent robbery of the Custom House.
He is an aceompliee of Robert Wheeler, alias
Pullen, who was arrested in Washington on Fri
day. They were both stopping at the Exchange
Hotel at the time the robbery was committed
and it is said were out the whole of Monday
might, returning to the hotel very early in thu
morning. The sum of $213 in gold was fount
on Summerville's person, and a valise, claimed
! by Pullen, found at the Fredericksburg depot
lcontained $1,000 in 90 gold pieces. Rqllen il
known to the Washington police as noted safe
blower, or 'cracksman,' and the circumstance o
!, his being here in company with Summerville a
the time of the robbery is very suspicious. Ih'
examination before the Mayor on Saturday re
veaed sufficient indications ofgult to justify IN
!. Mayor in committing Summerville to Jail TO
;. further hearing, which will take place after Pull
len is brought hither from Washington"
Wheeler was arrested in Washington on Fri
day. He gave up $500 In gold, q SGT Of diamon'
studs, splendid gold watch and o bunch o
skeleton keys He is known to be the son of
celebrated English thief and has doubtless com
mitted heavy theits in various cities of the y
Mon. Summerville was concerned in the rob
berry of the jewels in the Patent Office few
years ago.