The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-24
An Adroit Robbery-An Express Messen-
ger Robbed of 100000.

An adroitly planned and boldly executed rob-
berry occurred at st. Louis, on Saturday morn
ing, the victim being messenger of the United
States Express Company named George Miller
and the amount of money carried off about forty
thousand dollars. There had arrived at the
Express Office q package addressed to II, Q.
Davis, No, 13l N. Third street. The messenger
proceeded to deliver the package, and ascending
the stairs at the number indicated, found at the
door of a room at the extreme end of the build
ing small sign board, bearing the name of II.
@. Davis. He opened the door and entered the
room, and saw three men walking or standing
near table at the stove, with their faces turned
from him. He had taken but two or three steps
in the room, when some one seized his arms
from behind, efectually preventing him
from drawing revolver or otherwise defending
himself, and pressed knee to the small of his
back, bending him backwards at the same in
stant. The three men in the room sprang to the
assistance of their confederate, one of whom
threw handkerchief over his eyes to bliadfold
him, and all lending their assistance to hold him
down, he was SO efectually gagged and blind
folded, and his feet and hands securely bound.
The garroters then took possession OF his bag
containing the packages intrusted to his care,
and proceeded to divide the contents among
themselves. This operation was evidently per-
formed under some excitement and in great
haste, as one package, containing ten thou
sand dollars, was lett in the bottom of
the bag. being partially concealed by the book
of the messenger. Several Of small amount
among them the one addressed to Davis, we're
dropped on the floor, and one OF $3000in Miller's
pocket was left undisturbed in all, about Sl6 900
was. lett behind. Having taken all they found,
and made their division, the robbers cautiously
took their departure one by one, their victim
being bound and helpless on the floor. After
the robbers had left the room, Mr.. Miller got the
gag out of his mouth and shouted for assist
ance, when others having rooms in the building
came 10 his relief, and quickly unbound him.
The messenger and others Immediately ran
down stairs but their eager questions failed to
elicit any information as to any persons having
passed out of the building, aud, as Miller was
blndtolded 20 quickly az to prevent his getting
more than glimpse of any of the party, there
is but little hope of the arrest of the robbers.
The packages left on the floor were gathered
up and carried, by the messenger, to the Express
Office, the officers of which estimate the amount
carried off at $4,000, one package alone con.
tanning Sl2, 600. That the robbery was a delbe
rately planned affair was established beyond a
doubt by the opening, at the Express office, OF
| the package addressed 10 Davis, which had been
dropped by the robbers. 1t was sent from Alton
and was marked $75, but was found to contain
only counterfeit bills. This view is also corrobo-
rated by the fact that on Thursday package
was received from Mexico, Missouri, addressed
| to Charles Ploffman, at the same number. The
! messenger who took that delivery went to the
! room, where he found pasteboard sign bearing
/ the name of Ploffman, but, as no one was in the
| room, the package was returned to the EXPIRES;
| Office to be called for. This package was also
opened, and found to contain only counterfeit
| bills,