The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-07-09
The Lord Bond RObbery--RecOv-
cry of Most of the Money and a
Brief History of the ExtraOrdi-
mary Affair. r8u

Ine great LorQ p0nq roDDery, which
occurred in New York over year ago,
has again been brought to public notice
by the recovery of nearly all of the stolen
bonds. This robbery is probably the
most remarkable on record, not only be-
cause the amount stolen was SO great, but
because of the skill with which the crime
was committed, the great efforts made to
dispose of the bonds, and the untiring
persistency with which the detectives
have followed up The thieves.
In March, 1866 Mr.. Rufus L. Lord,
who is very old man, was sitting in
his Office in Exchange Place, when a
stranger entered and engaged him III con-
versation. While talking an accomplice
entered and stole from an open safe bonds
amounting in the aggregate to one mil
lion seven hundred thousand dollars. As
soon as discovered the robbery was made
known to the Police, but there was no
evidence by which the thieves could be
traced. At first itwas difficult to tell the
exact amount stolen or the number Of the
bonds. Mr.. Lord had seen 10 one 60 to
the safe, and he could not positively
identify the man who engaged him in
conversation. In fact Mr.. Lord would
not believe the bonds were stolen in this
manner until after the arrest of some Of
the men connected with the robbery.
The police Immediately began search
for the thieves, and in the latter part OF
April or May they succeeded in taking
one of the criminals But when arrested
none of the bonds were found IL his pos
session, and Mr.. Lord could not recog-
nize him. After he had been in confne-
ment short time this man said be could
recover Mr.. Lords, bonds under certain
conditions. That gentleman was very
anxious to get them back, and the con.
sent of the District Attorney was obtain
ed to use the prisoner as medium for
recovering the stolen property. Accom-
panied by detectives he went to Massa,
chusetts, and had secured some of the
bonds, when further proceedings were
stopped by his arrest by the United
States Marshal. The men who held the
stolen property then became frightened
and placed the bonds in the hands
of The ringleader, who took some of them
to Europe for negotiation. A few were
secured By Mr., Lord, from time to time,
he paying percentage for their recovery,
The man who went to Europe was
formerly broker in this city. While
there he sold but small amount of the
bonds; but for these he failed to divide
with two of the men who had placed their
share OF the property in his keeping
Both of these men were subsequently
arrested, and smarting under the trickery
of their confederate, his guilt and move.
ments became known to the authorities
Having recently returned to this country
his whereabouts were ascertained. An
indictment was then obtained against
him, and officers were applying for re,
|quisition to secure his arrest, when near.
ly twelve hundred thousand dollars worth
of the bonds were returned to Mr.. Lord
through broker, tie latter receiving a
reward for their delivery sa
There are now about one hundred and
fifty thousend dollars of the stolen bonds
out. 1t has been learned that there were
six men engaged in the robbery, three Of
whom have been indicted.