The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-01
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
Remarkable Highway Robbery,
Trunk Containing $85, 900 in q. 8.
Bonds.

Bonds.
We have RETAINED for several days from men
tioning one of the most remarkable robberies
that has ever occurred in the Northwest, in or
der not to interfere with the work Of detectives
employed in tracing it up. Their interdic'
having been removed, We are at liberty to give
this morning such particulars as we have been
made acquainted with.
On Sunday last, Frank Steele, Esq, OF this
city, left for the East on the morning coach,
having in his charge for parties in this city
thirty-five U. S. bonds of 81, 900 each, TO
be delivered at the United States Treasury In
Washington. Mr.. Steele placed these bonds,
as inconvenient to carry on the person, in his
trunk, which was, as usual, securely strapped
to the boot of the coach. At Red Wing the
trunk was safely in its place. At Wabashaw it
was discovered that the straps holding the
trunk had been cut, and it taken from the stage.
Information was next morning early communi-
Gated to Messrs. Thompson Bros, Of this city,
agents of the parties owning the bonds, and
they at once made use Of the telegraph and
forwarded circulars to bankers, to stop the sale
of the bonds or coupons, and, if possible, to
secure the arrest Of the rObber or robbers, and
also employed detective officers to proceed to
Red Wing and Wabashaw. The latest report
heard from there was yesterday afternoon when
Messrs. Thompson Bros. were informed that
two parties had been arrested at Red Wing, on
suspicion of having committed the robbery, but
that no part Of the bonds or ether contents of
the trunk had been found.
There is mysterious part to this robbery
which can only be made plain, if ever, when
the thieves are arrested and tried. 1t is impos-
sible to surmise how the robbers could have
obtained knowledge not only that the bonds
were in that particular trutk, but even that
they were being sent at all, as the knowledge
was confined to a limited few, against whom
no suspicion can rest. The impression there
fore is of necessity that the thieves expected
for some reason to find money, or other valu.
ables in Mr.. S.eele's trunk, and were not at
tempting to steal the bonds. As neither the
bonds or coupons have yet been offered for
sale, and as dealers everywhere are now mott
fee of the numbers and character of the bonds,
the thieves will not profit by getting them
and, excepting short delay, it is presu ned
the owners will have suffered no loss, as it will
be easy to prove the numbers and the fact OF
their being stolen, to the United States Treas
ury, stop their payment there, and procure a
like amount of bonds in place of them. What
booty the thieves got in the other contents OF
the trunk we have not learned.
Twenty-Five of these bonds were U. s. 5-20.s
of 81, 900 each, with coupons attached, the
first coupons maturing May 1, 1864. part
were of the list series, Nos. $3.50 to 1858
inclusive and No. 9493. Those of the I'd series
were Nos $500 to 54511 inclusive, and Nos.
5i514, 5i516 and 5s665. The other ten were
registered 5-2O's of s. 600 each, bearing inter-
est from Dec. I'd. 1868, payable to the Treasurer
of the United States, in trust, &c.-Nos. 1888
to 12767 inclusive. All these bonds are assign
ed on the backs to the Treasurer of the United
States, in trust.