Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-24
THE REPORTED BANK ROBBERY
At SELMA

The First National Bank at Selma, Ala
bama, was reported to have been robbed of
100000 on the 9Th instant, and the Presi-
dent, John NJ. Parkman, offered reward
of 100000 for the recovery of the funds.
General Swayne, commandant ofthe State,
went Immediately to Selma, and his inves-
tigation induced him to offer reward of
$500 for the apprehension of the Presi-
dent of the bank, who had disappeared.
The Selma Messenger of the 18th instant,
makes the following startling revelations
in regard to the alleged robbery:
General Swayne arrived here yesterday
morning, and aided by some of the best
business men of the city, commenced in
vestigating the affairs Of the bank, as ne
cessary step to secure the government
against loss, and as means of obtaining a
clue to the robbery.
About ten o'clock yesterday morning the
public were dumbfounded by a report,
which proved but too correct, that Mr..
Parkman had eluded his guard, and es-
capped from the city. This fact gave a
served as basis for other startling rumors.
In the meantime the fact of the arrest of
w. @. Smith, United States tax collector,
became known and still later We learned
that - LaCroix, of the internal revenue
service, was also under arrest. These gen
tlemen, we believe, are charged with i'm
properly depositing public funds in their
hands with the bank; and their arrest
added fuel to the fire of excitement which
prevailed everywhere. #r
In regard to the bank 1T appears, on
investigation, that the bank has suffered
largely in recent outside speculations, the
character Of which we did not learn, nor
did we learn whether they were entered
upon by Mr.. Parkham upon his own re-
sponsibility, or with the sanction Of the
board of directors. While weakened and
embarrassed by these losses, on the lst
inst government draft for $4,000 was
presented and paid On the 9TH another
draft of the same character was presented.
Mr.. Parkham explained that it would
suit the convenience of the bank TO have
few days time, and payment was delayed
until the l4th, when demand was made,
accompanied with a threat of protest.
Payment was promised on the next day,
and that evening the robbery was reported.
The next day the bank was taken in charge
by the military authorities, acting under
orders from Gen. Swayne, and its officers
were put under arrest, though left at large
on parole. Yesterday morning, General
Swayne came down, an investigation was
commenced, and Mr.. Parkman left the city
We believe our information is correct, that
the examination has progressed sufficiently
TO show that no robbery was committed,
and that no funds not accounted for are
missing The cash balance on the books
corresponds with the money in the safe, or
nearly so.
Under the circumstances Mr. Parkman's
fight from the city is inexplicable, except
on the idea that, alarmed and overwhelmed
by the elimination of his troubles, he took
that unfortunate method of reaching Gen
eral Morgan, now attending court at
Camden-aa idea strengthened by the
knowledge that he had evinced the greatest
anxiety 10 have the immediate counsel of
that distinguished lawyer, and the fact that
he took, as far as Cahaba, at least, where
he was last heard from, the most direct
route to Camden. Had he sought to escape,
he would not have travelled the most public
highway in the county, but would have
sought less frequented roads.
p. S.-Since writing the above we have
learned, Q) that the capital of the bank
was never paid in, (2) that the circulation
was used to pay for the bonds upon which
it was obtained, (3) that the bonds de-
posted to secure the government deposits
were borrowed-facts, if facts, even more
startling that those which yesterday formed
the topics OF the street, and from which
our readers must draw their own con-
clusions