The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-03-10
Ia w INTELLIGENCE.

CRIMINAL CoURT-Hon. Henry Stump, Judge
Milton Whitney, Esq, States Attorney, prosecu-
ting, assisted by J. Douglas lIambeton, Esq VIM.
p. Preston, Esq, for the defence
State as. William Thetford alias Hoppe and VIM.
Baker, indicted for stealing So, ZOO from the Far
mers and Planters Bank.
After the opening of the Court Mr.. Whitney
arose and addressed the jury, stating what the
prosecution expected to prove, and explaining the
means taken to bring the accused to trial, and the
causes which attached suspicion to them. He said
he thought the State could weave such a web of
guilt around these men that the minds of the jurors
would be entirely Invested of the shadow of doubt,
and would ask conviction under the indictment
Mr.. Whitney followed by Mr.. Preston, who
spoke at considerable length in relation to the
in which he engaged, and said he thought he
would be able to show that there a combination
entered into by wicked men to prosecute these pris
oners. He said the defence would show that nei
Their ofthe traversers were in Baltimore upon the
day of the robbery, and that they had no connec-
ton with it.
he following evidence on the part of the State
was then elected:
Pratt and Bro. at the time of the robbery; had
been with them about four years; generally atten-
ded to their banking business; have deposited
high as $40, 900 day; have drawn about $4,000
at time; left the store on the day OF the robbery,
with package of Virginia Bank notes, amount
ing to $40 900, principally in small notes. the pack
age was sealed up in envelop paper, endorsed
$4,000 Virginia notes, E. Pratt Bro; the bank
lect exactly the amount of the deposit went along
Cha rles to Baltimore street. down Baltimore street
to Calvert and then to the Mechanics Bank to get
a check endorsed; then went along Calvert to Bal
timore street, down north side of Baltimore street
to South street, and thence to the Farmers and
Planters Bank; witness then went to the south
passage land told the keeper he wanted to leave
the package and bank book on the desk until he
turned; witness put the package and bank book
through the pigeon hole in the screen, and
gave it shove to put it out of arms
reach; there was wire screen around the counter;
the screen has been changed since the robbery;
witness then went to the post-otice, and when he
returned he discovered the package gone, but
the bank book there and nothing was touched
in that; witness informed the clerks of the missing
of the package; a search was made about the bank
for the money, but it was not found.
Mr.. Whitney.-"Did you see any body sitting on
a chair in the bank?"
Mr.. Preston.-'I object to any suggestive ques-
tons.''
Witness continued.-Saw little colored boy sit
ting a chair the passage in the bank; the
boy could see up and down the passage; when at
the Mechanics Bank, went to the paving teller Mr..
Rogers to get the check endorsed
By Juror-When witness left the money at the
bank he told the book keeper that it was package
of money.
Cross-examined bv Mr.. Preston.-The occurrence
took place the 26th of March; witness does not
recollect conversing with any one from the time he
| left the store until he got to the Farmers and
| Planters Bank; entered no house the route
that Bank until he went into the Farmers and Plant
! ers' Bank; carried the package in my hand; think
| it a pleasant day; had shawl or
! overcoat on; when witness showed the package
through the pigeon hole it did not fall to the floor
witness thinks he could look the screen at the
Bank; thinks he could not reach with his arm over
the and take anything from the desk; thinks
six feet high, might do so; could see through
the wire screen: witness is certain he saw the pack
age the desk after pushing it along; witness has
resided in Richmond, Va, since the latter part o
last May.
By Juror.-Witness does not think he pushed
| the package and book out of the reach of longer
arm than his own; witness when he came back, by
getting on his toes, reached the handbook.
Witness continued.-Dd not speak to any ont
about the money, either in out of the store; wit
ness did not count the money; saw it being counted
| by the book keeper at the store; only know wha
the package contained from being told by the clerk
was told by of the firm to take the bundle to tn
Bank; saw the process of counting and sealing the
money; Mr.. Cornelius was the clerk at the Bank t
whom witness said he wanted to leave the package
until his return; the paper entirely covered tn
notes, there was no Irvine the bundle; was absen
from the Bank about five minutes; stop
ped somewhere during that time to leave a note.
BY Mr.. Whitney-Think the package was on top
of the Bank-book when left at the Bank.
By Mr.. Hamilton-The writing on the package
was in bold, large, plain hand; when witnes
spoke to the clel it was in audible voice.
Arnold Hyde, sworn-Am book-keeperof Pratt
Brother; was at the time of the robbery; counte
, the money; there was $4,000 in Virginia money
the money was in SIS and 100's have been wit
Pratt Brother for fifteen years; the money wa
sealed up and handed to Royal Church; Church ha
been in the habit of doing the banking business 70
the house for the past four years; he has deposite
J and drawn as high as $4,000 at time.