Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-08-17
The Ph9nix Bank Defaication.

1t appears that several persons besides
Jenkins, the defaulting teller, We're con-
cerned more or less directly in the rob-
berry Of the Phoenix Bank Of New York
City. One Of these was John H. Earl.
formerly clerk in the Phoenix Bank,
but recently, and at the time of his ar
rest, clerk in the employ of Messrs.
Smith, Martin & Co., of Broad street
| brokers. The information upon which
a warrant was issued for the apprehen-
sion Of Earl was given by Jenkins, sub
sequent to his arrest, on Thursday. Earl
was found at the office of his emnlnvers
by the officers sent to arrest him. An
officer took him aside and when Earl
had identified himself, the officer asked
him bluntly and confidently, chow much
! money have you received from Jenkins?"
Earl, who was man of much nerve,
looked at the detective with apparent
calmness, and did NOT at first speak; but
the officer observed that his face grad
ually grew paler, until 1t was almost
death like. He replied then by assum-
ing ignorance of the particular charge
biehNC -alhSb hlii1I anu dShtU II INT
jenkins referred to was the one ''oyer at
the bank" The officer quietly assured
him that that was the man, and that
every attempt at deception was useless.
Earl finally answered that he had had
about 100000 of Jenkins" He next
volunteered the explanation that Jenk-
ms was in trouble: that he Early knew
the facts, and was desirous Of helping
him out; so he had done what he could
to make money for Jenkins by dealing
in stocks. The operations were unsuc-
cessful, however he said, and all the
money was lost. When the officer in
quired if he did not know he was using
the funds of the bank, Earl answered
evasively that he would not say he knew
where the first $4,000 came from, but
he was willing to admit he was aware
the last $4,000 belonged to the bank.
jenkins says the amount Earl received
was $l50,O0O.
Earl retained perfect composure. and
went calmly and, it is said, cheerfully.
to the cell where he was locked up for
the night. He was seen several times
during The night, the last time at three
o'clock in the morning. Between seven
and eight o'clock in the morning he was
found dead, having committed suicide.
On the floor Of the cell was found a
small double-bladed pocket knife about
TWO inches long, with the large blade
ABOUT three quarters of an inch. and of !
the kind known as lady's pocket knife. |
This instrument, it is supposed, he had !
concealed on the inside of the lower lin.
An examination of the wound showed
that Earl had first cut hole near the
Jugular vein, and, pushing the knife in,
worked round and round till he made a
hole in his neck about the size of
quarter Of dollar. Earl is presumed
TO nave lain on bench in his cell, the
second one from the front window, with
his hand on rug, and deliberately re-
moving his hat and collar and placing
them beside him, committed the deed.
de was heard moving as late as four
o'clock, a. m, and it seems, therefore.
hat the suicide was committed after
hat hour. He had tried to sever the
ugular first, but failing to do so at
'nce, he cut through the Adams apple.
severed his windpipe and thus put an |
nd to his existance. The cell was un-
Ter the constant observation of the
,iiicer in charge, and the presumption is
hat Earl bled to death.
THE ARREST OF JENKINS.
Havinglbecome satisfied that there had
,een heavy defalcation, the cashier of
ne Phneix bank looked about him, and
ouha evidences that convinced him that
enklns was the offender He was ar
es1ed at his rooms, No. 10, Union Place.
eC"een and o'clock Thursday morn
y. MRS. jenkins came down to the (
pom Where the officer was, and be- :
asea very coolly, taking the arrest as :
matter Of course. The prisoner was E