The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-19
TIE new HlvEI BANK 10BBERI.
---~----~--------~--
Full and Connected History Of tho
Townsend Case.
HOW HE OBTAINED THE MONEY.
.>~>~~>>~~->~~.~>~~~~
THE FLIGHT, PURSUIT AND ARREST.
THE ROMANCE OF THE AFT AIR,
Co., &c.. &c.
THE FLIGHT, PURSUIT AND ARREST.
THE ROMANCE OF THE AFFAIR,

have already been published The story Of the robbery
the Occupation Of more space the recital and have
iotted down such circumstances rs have come to our
6nowedge az appear 70 Se ,o our
have the greatest confidence. ~8
o ~ JEREMIAH TOWNSEND
A young man Of about twenty years Of age son
OF Mr. John Townsend, a well known and universally
respec,ed gentleman, and a member Of family proven
bal for upright character and honorable dealing He
had been employed in the savings Bank Sncfs sme
in which he served with credit and rose TO the rank OF
captain. On leaving the army he returned to his place
in the bank and highly esteemed by the manag'
crs of the institution that It had been for some time in
contamination advance him in position when he COM
mtted the act which blasted his prospects and
shame By the by he Is not, as many suppose rea.
tive Of James M. Townsend, Esq
x -: rs'fs"' BAD COMPANY.
For some timo previous 70 his Hight jerry as ne was
Familiarity known among his associates had circulated
freely with the young OF his age about town, ana
frcquented places where his morals were not likely to
DO improved his purse Battered. short time pre-
yious to Disappearance he arrested with party
OF other young in notorious house in State street.
where attracted ne attention OF .ne ponce
up in consideration OF the feelings OF the friends OF inc
parties. .f
made the acquaintance Of young woman in East Haven
MISS DENTzIE BOOTH,
who is described inehigen, and rather attractive
person, TO whom he paid bis addresses and is said
entered into engagement for marriage There is no
doubt that with all his fanes. Townsend entertained
sincere affection for the young woman, and II may be
though by some il thought he conceived the plan OF
'sgoug through" tho bank while In the army AT all
events he made up his mind to commit the deed, and
lF FOUND HIS OPPORTUNITY.
II appears that the keys 10 the safe, which has
patent comb lock- had been ordinarily entrusted
only with the President Mr. James NJ Townsend, and
stood the combination for the time being and able
to open the safe circumstances made 1t necessary Tor
Mr. Edward H. Townsend TO be absent and the secret
was cntr sted to Mr join Townsend. In the meantime
he was taken ILL., and passed the keys TO his SON. Jere
mial This was the fatal opportunity for which he had
waited and he did not hesitate 10 improve IT, Had he
waited day after he actually III the tcmpta
ton would would have beep removed, for the President
his way to the bank the mornna after the robbery.
left an order change Of the combination OF the lock-
which would have put out OF his power TO obtain &C
cess to tue coveted treasure And here
JOHN II. BOOTH
appears upon the stage-not In the tragic attitude
sumed by his infamous namesake In memorable
scene but in o much more humble role. Booth,
brother of his alliances, had served with Jerry in the
seventh and had boeu his boon companion about town.
To him The secret of his fiicnds intentions was re-
veacd and his cupidty induced h'm TO bccose party
to the transactions.
THE ABoRrivE ATTEMPT.
Their plans having been arranged about four o'clock
Sunday morn n.y. Nay FL, jeremiah Townsend entered
the bank while his friend Booth kept watch and ward
on the to give notice OF the approach OF the
ssruardians Of night" Townsend had got the key at
work IN the safe lock but Booth not keen enough
perceive two p0cemen, 0lllecrS FITZPATRICK ana
Kelly who watching the operation from the shade
of convenient awning. When the officers thought the
affair bad proceeded about far enough, Que Of them
secured Booth, while another went TO the Orange
street window OF the hank and called out Master Town
send Ne thindcrstruct at being found IN the pres
once the officers and OF dropped the nag in which
OF the Chapel door, To the officers he represented
that he officer OF the bankbad just stepped In
TO see II all right, &c They were not disposed TO
take anything upon trust, and walked the gentlemen
around to the station house The o;cer in charge knew
him be what he represented himself, and rs he was
perfectly collected, did no. suspect anything wrong
Towueend thanked the Off for their vigilance laughed
over the "msake," and departed. ,i ~ go
SURE THING.
The next evening MONDAY, May 22) no made an
Of writing up accounts 10 remain In tue bank ter
the others had left and, the coast clear,
MADE ne haul which has given so much aroooc and ann
himself and friends. He appears to have gone imme-
datcly 10 the Booths, or met John in town and given
money and securities TO the amount OF about seven
thousand dollars Mrs NcKay, married sister OF Booth,
appears have been previously cognzan OF the scheme
ane undertook to conceal their share OF tho 'swag
.e lbf KEEPING UP APPEARANCES.
Afler handing over the funds to the Booths and 10
believed making arrangements for John aud DeDtzie to
meet him in New York, young Townsend went 10 the
depot TO take the night train for New York. Having
time 10 arare he visited the well known saloon OF Char
ley Bradley, where he drank and joked fro Iy with the
proprietor and others while a. the saloon nc played
'slcw" called out to have his bag taken Of and u
was thrown carelcssIy upon beer barrel where any
Finally he s.rolicd iesursIy the dcPot shook
hands with policeman, jumped aboard and was on.
those who saw him depart little dreaming OF the sensa
ton he leaving behind him, or OF the crowd that
would await his return at the same place three months
later.
THE DISCOVERY.
On the morning after his departure Mr.. j. N. Towns
end on entering the bank inquired for the absent clerk
and receiving Information took look ni the inside Of
bonds wore missing. He then informed that the
bundle OF cash made up for deposit from the previous
day receipts was also missing The CONCLUSION was at
once arrived that the missing clerk nnd funds had
gone together.
THE GRIEF STRICKEN FATHER.
The father OF young Townsend was overwhelmed with
grief at this ovidcnce Of his SON. guilt and time
cared he would not survive the shock long enough
TO be conveyed TO his residence No one who has ao
expcrencod this most bitter tralworse than the death
of the most dearly beloved-can apprcc ate the anguish
caused BY such aentabe conduct Of loved and trusted
son. and Mr. Townsend and his family have received the
heartfelt commserntion VI his numerous friends.
ARREST OF THE AccoMPLIcE.
Az soon as Il ascertancd what had TRANSFERRED
time was lost before the institution OF efforts for the
The police OF this city, being informed OF the occur
renee at once recalled the arrest OF young Townsend
his friend Booth and concluding thar the latter must
have been prvy TO the actual robbery set TO work 10
secure the individual. Al late hour Wednesday night
he found In bed at the knight Hospital md at once
taken TO the station house. AT FIRST be refused 10
muncate anything the subject, but toward morning
he thought better OF IT, and gave information which led
70 the arrest Of bis mother and two SISTERS and tho re-
women also disclosed what they knew or the crcum
stances and believe their induced the parties
IN interest 10 withhold any complaint against them
John Il. Booth detained informally al the station
house. being allowed TO go neghboring restaurant
for his meals ill., fow days since be got tired OF that
sort OF thing and went home when he was arrested and
put under 81 600 TO appear for examination.
THE DETECTIVES AT WORE.
The 6rst train to New York after The discovery OF the
robbery carried down Charles 8. A. Davis. ESQ.,, who
secured the services OF the best detectives 10 New YORK.
and stimulated them extra exerons with an ocr OF
liberal reward was hoped 10 secure The young man
before he cft the city and when Booth bad made bis
revelations Of the plans OF bis friend part OF which
found had been carried out-nciuding change 0!
dress and other cSpcdenis for dsgulset was deemed
next 10 impossible for him 10 escape. Notwithstanding
The efforts Of tho trained officers no made good
his retreat, and for timo was safe
THE TrLggRAfH
was freely employed TO notify tho police and bankers 10
all parts Of the United States and Canada 81 the occur
renee and OF the description Of property taken, and the
detectives far and were on the alert 70 secue the
fugitive and the handsome reward offered The officers
Of the bank and others took long Journeys IN various
directions 10 notify banking institutions and SGT the