Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-01-05
Heavy Robbery-Ten Thousand Dollars
Stolen

@1NHty ANYWAY I'LL 4AOoSoh0 DS~ASAS
Stolen
Yesterday morning, says the Norfolk Tir0in-
aan of the 1st inst, our city was thrown into a
state of considerable excitement by the an
nouncement that Mr.. Edward Ell. King, agent
of the Virginia Express Company in this city,
while on his way to the depot Of the Norfolk
and Petersburg Railroad, at o'clock in the
morning, had been knocked down and robbed
of large sum of money-stated to be between
ten and eleven thousand dollars. Mr.. King
states that he had the money in an account
book in his breast pocket, and while walking
swiftly to the depot and just in the act of pass
ing the mouth of King lane, he was assaulted
by two men, one of whom struck him a severe
blow on the back of the head, knocking him
senseless. While in this condition he was
robbed of the money, and his assailants, whom
he could NOT recognize, made their escape. As
soon as he had recovered sufficiently, he gave
the alarm, and was assisted by one of the po-
lice to the National Hotel. By this time the
robbers had disappeared, leaving no trace OF
their whereabouts.
Mr.. King was afterwards taken to his room,
on the corner of Main Street and Pepper S
lane, where his injuries were attended to by
DR.. Murray, who described them as a confused
wound on the back of the head, slightly break
ing the skin, but not fracturing the SKULL and
symptoms of blows in the pit Of the stomach,
as from kicks. When taken to his room he
was slightly delirious, but under medical treat
ment be goon revived, and was able to give the
above particulars.
The money was drawn from the Exchange
National Bank the day previous, on check
drawn by Ell. V. Tompkins in favor of Edward
Fl. King, agent of the Virginia Express Com
pany. He took it to his Office and yesterday
morning was on his way to the depot to trans
init it to its destination when the robbery was
committed.
1t will be rememberd that Mr. King was as
saulted some weeks since, near the corner OF
Cumberland and Charlotte streets, by two men,
one white and the other black, about 10 o clock
at night, Oh his return from the depot. AT
that time he was successful In defending him.
self and drove off his assailants. He was con-
stantly armed, and says that if he had had the
slightest warning he would have prevented the
robbery
So much for one side of this rather strange
affair; now for the other. During the day sus-
picions became aroused that the matter was not
as clear as it should be. and at the instance Of
parties that to the best of their belief the per-
petratorg of the robbery were none other than
King and some Of his friends, warrants were
issued, and, upon the strength Of them, Thom
as Potts, an employee in the same Office; Hen.
ny Townsend, youth of bad reputation in the
city; and an intimate acquaintance of Potts,
Maud Delarue, q woman of ill-fame, residing
at No. 10l South Church street, With whom
| King is known to have been cohabiting, were
arrested and lodged In Jail to await further ex-
animation, as accessories to the robbery-theil
bail being fixed at $1,000 each, which at late
hour they had not succeeded in giving A
warrant Was also issued for the arrest of King
as principal in the robbery but owing to his
| condition he was not removed from his room
and two policemen now keep watch over him
to see that he is forthcoming when wanted. =
| Search warrants were issued for the search o.
several suspected houses, but with what result
we have not learned, except that In the trunk
| of Maud Delarue was found notes to the
amount Of 800, but whether they were por
ton Of the money stolen, we are unable tt
| state.
With this the matter rests for the present
and We refrain from the expression Of opinion
until the case is judicially examined It is no
improper, however to state that Mr. King is o.
highly respectable family and connection ii
the city Of Richmond, upon whom this impu
tation will fall with crushing effect
Since writing the above we have seen dis
patch from the officers of the Company, il
Richmond, directed to the chief of police o.
this city, telling the officers to take immediate
steps in the matter. The above news will as
tonish the senders of the despatch, who car
have no idea Of what active steps have beer
taken