The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-10
Tho 81. Louis Ass.ssin.,lon.
ME-. CHARLES, PRESIDENT OF THE MERCHANTS BANK,
KILLED IN rHK STREET.

ME- ChAhLESsj PRESIDENT OFTHk NEKCHANrS BANK,
KILLED IN rHK STREET.
from the ~ Louis Republican, juno Al
we nave never known the people Of g. Louis moro ex
mouth mouth that Joseph Charles had been ss.uted
ana shot down In Market street. shortly after breakfast
by Joseph W. Thornton and that the were OF sucn
. character a. TO make death almost inevitable. The
who'e town was IN buzz and fernient Men walked to
and iio, 10 If some great calamity we're IMPENDING aud
earnestly II their own safety and REPUTATION were az
stake In order to give probable cause for hs wan
on aempt a. the taking of mans Gefor cutting him
OIL without warning and 50 necessary TO
60 PACK some years 10 Tho to ~n's story
There are many persons who will recolect that the
Boatmens Saving Iosttuon OF this city, then located on
Chestnut between Main and Second streets was myste-
ronsly robbed OF between $4,000 $40 OcO In notes
o. me BANK on the siste Q, nssouri, and gold Al that
time TIE busipess OF taa. institution done mainly IN
Missouri paper and coin Joseph W Thornton wSs secre
ary and principal booRkeeper Of the concern and tse
hlied ,aai place from early pero1 nf ns history
There we're those who, on The discovery Of the ab.
sfac.on of the funds did not hesitate to p3nl 10 aim
the guilty party ard for year or tTo he Sas under the
In his oboe for some time Afterwards Some insdcquats
efforts maas for the recovery OF the stolen money
the Board meanShe pecging their individual fortunes 20
the deposos 70 rave them from Ices account OF the
abstraction Of so large Tho tostitl,ion isf con
tinned 10 enjoy the public confidence although sats
factory Information was ever obined IN regard TO the
lost money
After while Thornton was discharged or resigned mig
place in the ONCE and IL was fed by some one eiae 1t
reasonable TO suppose that BIO t object OF
pccp and by and by circumstances drected attention 10
hs movements. BE kept decoslt q. tho Boat
mems, and teller that he tue habit
every week whenever he made deposit, of present
Ing more Of the came notes which had been paid
on, to him on some check putting them 10 with oher Mia
Eou bank nos suspected 10 be the proceeds OF the rob-
berry already alluded to. Es intention doubtless TO
get sill she stolen notes back into the institution by this
process, and thus cover up tho delinquency.
Two three years ago Mr Thornton caused TO be pro
seued at the Bank Of the State OF Missouri foe redemp
tiop some 81 200 OF oblters.ed and soed notes This
excited suspicion, and on being questioned az to the
in which they into his stated
that they were found buried under the stump Of tree,
which bad been pulled up by steamboat which had
fastened ito cable ana that he Lad purchased taem us
increased the suspicion Mr. Chasiess the President OF
the State Bank at that time, notified tho ocers Of the
Eoatmene Institution az the TACT thus discovered. Al
subsequent term OF the Grand jury Thornton rdct
ed for the embe zzesnt Of Tie money OF the BoAtrens
Institution.
Mr. Charlese a. hg duty required ht TO d. appeared
before the and ey1ed 10 all toe facts within his
knowledge could not escape, II he had been DESTROYS
Of doing co. from bis duty in this respect Mr. Blood thu
President, and Mr. Gaylord, the teller, also gave their
testimony In the case, and II IL said that thornton has
made threats against both OF theEe gentlemen that
time Tho Jury on Tho trial OF the case acquitted Thorn.
ton Of the ebezzlepent and he has since been going
about the city, WITH as it would SEEM very few associ
1t not to be concealed that though acquitted by the
forms Of the law the ass OF the people believe him gull
Of the circumstance We have just stated He wsylad
higsve him warning 10 defend himself bat 1t once
commenced firing. The attack was the most dastardy
that kDowu aud sedom has less cause been
given for 60 foul an attempt 10 commit murder.
HOW TIRE ASSASSINATION OCCURRED.
About nine O'Clock on the morning OF the 81 instant
Joseph Charless shot down in public street while
psaceaby walking to his place OF business Mr. Charcss
the south side Of Market street. between Third and
Fourth, going down, when he was met by Joseph W.
Thornton, coming up who, without any alteration with
say word took from his breast Colts revolver,
which he presented 10 Mr.. ChaI less and fred.
The ball took effect in the lett side Of Me- Charless pass
rg upward obliquey and to the right, and Penetrating
through the abdominal cavity, and going entirely through
the body Mr. Charles fell upon his knees III hands,
while in this position Thornton fired again, the ballet
taking effect the back. The wounded crept into
the trimming and variety store Of p thompson, in front
which the took place, and exclaimng that
he was sbot, sauk upon the floor
Joseph W. Thornton unmarried man, In HE thirty
sixth year. La his cell he appears 10 be quite calm aud
collected. BE preserved moody tacturny and refused
70 enter into any conversation relative awful deed
which he has committed.
Mr. Cbaress has been In business here FOR over thirty
aud his fTm, that of CcarIoss, Blow Gu vnne
sale druggists one Of high standing ~ the country, and
has large patronage throughout the West
Mr. C. Is connected with Of the weathies aud beat
families in 81, Louis and his circumstances are those
Of care and aiuence As President Of the Mechanics
Bank Of this city, he has been in position to be Intimate
ly known In all financial circles and his Integrity and
probity were never called In Question.
At last accounts Mr.. Charless still sinking slowly,
suffering the acute pain. His medical attendants
that he cannot possibly survive he has slnce died.