The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-25
Monday Morning, July 25, 1864.
The Attempt to Rob the Calais Bank

The Attempt to Rob the Calais Bank.
An extra from the st. Croix Herald, Calais,
gives the following interesting particulars OF
the rebel demonstration on that city and an
attempt to rob the Calais Bank:
"Monday was day OF excitement in this
city. IL was known for several days previous
that raid OF some kind was in contemplation
by rebel roughs who had recently left St. John,
aud by means Of the vigilant efforts OF our
Consul in that city, the people here were ena-
bled to prepare suitable reception for the
invaders. IL was known that the bank would
be assailed first. A portion OF Capt. Flint's
Company of State Guards was detailed for
service. Pickets were stationed at different
places to give the alarm. At about II o'clock
the robbers went to the bank, and while their
leader pretended that he wanted TO exchange
some gold for greenbacks, it was noticed that
his hand glided suspiciously toward a revolver
in his side pocket The Cashier Immediately
gave the alarm, the Guards rushed in, seized
the.three men and escorted them in triumph to
the Municipal Court Room. The excitement
was intense. There was good grounds for be-
lieying that the robbers had accomplices in
the vicinity, aud the State Guards and citizens
were soon on hand in body to repel any in
vasion or depreciation. The prisoners were
"h1s NhcP7a14AC NJ hlcb, but cUOl put on
very defiant airs, claiming that il their twenty
five associates had been on hand as expected,
they would not only have robbed the Bank
but committed other depredations and burned
the city. The ringleader had q Confederate
flag 10 his pocket, which he said he Intended
To hoist on the nights near the city. This flag
was captured by W. b. Taylor. II was new
and If manufactured in Dixie has been well
preserved. large crowd of people collected
In the vicinity, and there was a strong dIspo-
sition TO deal summarily with the offenders,
for 1t is well known that they were ready for
plunder, fire or murder in order to accomplish
their infamous designs.
In the afternoon the prisoners were exam
ined before Judge CorIhell. A letter was
found on one OF them wherein the raiders, un-
der fcticious names, state they are escaped
prisoners, that they were bent upon having
money, and they had prepared receipt to be
left at the bank for the money they intended
to take-but didn't. In that letter they add:
Thank your stars that other men did not
come up, or your to,ca tcouid hdce been
burned
VIM. Collins, the ringleader, is tall, keen
eyed man, with countenance indicative of
treachery and baseness. He claims to be
Captain in the 18th Miss, but was recognized
here yesterday by ST. John man, who states
that Collins has been in St. Joha for some
months, that he was born near Loeb Lomond,
and that he has often worn the rebel uniform OF
late.
The two other prisoners gave their names
as Jones and Phillips. The former said he be-
longed TO the 1st Missouri regiment, and that
his wife and child were murdered by the Fed
erals under jim Lane. He has youthful
look, aud his statement Is probably as unreli-
able as that of his associate in vilany, neither
of whom have, it is believed, ever been in the
Confederate service.
The testimony of the three prisoners es-
tablished the fact that they were determined
upon plunder, pillage and robbery, TO be car
ried out on large scale, If their associates
had joined them, aud, as Collins remarked in
his evidence, they were determined TO accom-
plish their purpose 'peaceably If they could.
but forcibly II they must
The prisoner who gave his name as Phillips,
said he had been promised chance TO go on
piratical craft. Collins, when asked, said
that he could not produce his commission as
a Confederate officer. The prisoners were or
dered to recognize in the sum of $20,O00.-
They we're sent TO Machias jail under strong
guard where they arrived at half past three
O'clock this morning. When they were taken
from the court room much indignation wa
manifested outside, and many evinced a dis
position to deal summarily with them. There
Is no doubt that the prisoners intended to
murder the cashier, and this supposition i.
strengthened by their own evidence. Rumors
were rife last evening that large number o.
raiders from st. John and vicinity [of whom
the three prisoners were the advance guard
intended making descent upon the city by
water.
Orders were received from the Adjutani
General at Augusta, to detail fifty men be
longing TO the State Guards here for service
night aud day. This order is now in force
Our city again wears a martial aspect. Ths
remaining invaders will meet with warm re
ception."