New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-08-31

TIE CONSPIRACY TO ROE THE NEwBERN BANK
The arrest of certain parties in Newbern, North
Carolina, on the charge of conspiracy to rob the
First National Bank at that place, and murder the
cashier, was mentioned in the Times yesterday
It appears the alleged conspirators were Capt
John G. Lee and Lieut.. White both formerly Off
GERS in the federal army. They were arrested or
Monday and had hearing before the mayor Of
Newbern on Tuesday. The following extract
from the report of the case in the NeWbern Times
gives the whole history of the extraordinary Attain
| as far as developed II Richmond Times.
R. Wilcox was then sworn as witness fol
prosecution, and testified substantially as follows
Have been acting as leader to the band at Mr.. Nc
| Namara's =" free and easy dancing saloon neal
the railroad performances tri-weekly
| Was approached by prisoner White, with inqui
RES whether I wished to make some money
Said did. Was then told by White that he would
introduce me to man who would show me how
| TO make $4,000. Prisoner came to me nextmorn-
ing and pointed out Capt. Lee as he stood near
one of the a. a. N. @. cars. Shortly afterwards
Lee came down to the saloon, and on being intro
daced, carried witness and White to the grass plot
near the coored Episcopalian church. But wit
ness did not consider the immediate proximity to
a church and graveyard the proper place to dis
euss the argument fer a cold-blooded murder, and
consequently he proposed ramble out of town,
which was accepted by Lee, but not by White.
As this worthy couple strolled along, witness
expressed hope that Lee was no detective
trying to draw in an innocent man." Lee as
sured him that he need have no fears, and there
upon produced pencil and paper, upon which he
drew chart Of the interior of the bank, giving
precise localities Of doors, passages, safes, etc.
Prisoner Lee then, arranged the programme for
the capture of the bank and slaughter of the gar
rison, as follows.
Prisoner was to invite Messrs. Eldridge, Benson
and SUCH other officers of the bank as might be in
GA social gathering at his house the next eve.
ming friday, at which time witness vas To enter
the bank, and in case the Key of the safe should
fail to bein the lock, was to shoot Mr.. Thompson
through the head, and then rob therbank. After
which he was 10 escape through a back door
into q back street, and thence to prisoners
house. 7E uss-N @
This nice little plan was laid for Friday night,
but witness failed to come mp to time, and ia con-
sequence, the undertaking was postponed until
Monday night. In the interim, prisoner and wit.
ness had one or two consultations, which, upon
the suggestion of Witness led to the alteration of
the schedule, 50 far as to substitute eudgel for
the pistol, as the weapon to be used in silenoing
Mr.. Thompson.
Lee assured witness that, in case Of his capture.
means would be found to get him out. Prisoner
also said that as soon as witness had made an
entry into the bank he would be joined by another
party. who would assist him in carrying out his
designs But witness was unable to discern the
name of this cooperating party.
When Saturday night came, however, witness
felt conscientious scruples about committing this
mind, resolved to unbGrden himself to Mr.. Brown,
fellow employee in the same saloon. Mr.. Brown
didn't say much on the subject, and witness CON
cluded to ask Pat Kelly for advice, Mr.. Kelly
thought witness had better tell Mr.. McNarama,
whereupon, on Monday, witness told Mr. McNar-
anna all about it, and got him to go TO the bank
and reveal the circumstances. This was done i'm
mediateiy, and it being considered that from the
publicity which the matter had gained, the con
sniratora should be secured at once, warrant
was made out, and Messrs Lee and White arrested.
Some witnesses were examined TO prove the
good character of the accused, when, after argu.
ment by coultsss, they were remanded for trial be-
fore the Superior Court The bail of Lee was
fixed at $1,000, and of White $3.50. In default both
parties were committed 10 jail