The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-29
TIE PORT JEEyls BlgK ROBBERY.

An Arrest ana n u1sChurHts
on Monday Charles G, Clair, who was arrested
about week ago on the charge OF being Implicated
In The recen, robbery OF bank at Port Jervls, was
brought before Mr.. J. d. shaIer, Recorder
Of the city OF Newbnrg, for examination
The parties at whose instance Clair was
arrested, failing TO appear, the prisoner was
allowed to make statement In his own behalf
which he did IN substance rs folows:-He had just
completed term Of Imprisonment in the Orange
county jail, when he arrived in Port Jervis, his
former home, on the night before the robbery.
While wandering about in search OF o lodging place
he fell In with three professional burglars two or
them named respectively William Murray, aas
Steve" and Edwin Mccain; the third was s,ran-
ger 10 him. steve accostcd the prisoner told him
they were in for 'Job" that night ana asked him
TO take a hand III II. Although no was In a des-
tltute condition he refused, emphatcally and went
away from them. In the morning he went TO OTIS
vlne where ne first beard OF the robbery. He pro.
ceeded TO Newburg, where he found employment
and worked about Two weeks, when he was
arrested. Such was his story The following are
the circumstances OF bis arrest. few days after
the robbery OF the bank letter was received
at Howeiis Post, once. orange county, directed
to Frances Wilkinson. There are two persons OF
tnat name In the place, one WINE ana the otner
colored. The letter was delivered TO the white
woman. She opened aud read II, and found that 1t
was not intended for her. She returned It to the
POS. oilce where IL was examined. IL purported
70 be from one Anderson, ~ Newburg and
Ffances wilkinson was charged 10 direct her
answer 10 Charles g. CAR, NewburRN
Ihe letter stated. among other things the fact OF tie
fort Jefvls robbery and the writer intImated that
ne knew the parties engaged In IL. The postmaster
ht HoWelfa Immediately proceeded TO Port Jeryls
ana lad The matter before the bank authorities. A
messenger was AT once despatched IN hewbufg
ana the arrest OF CLAIR was erected. Repre-
sensations being made TO him mat he
would be shielded from punishment II he made u
clean breasti' Of the matter, he impaired the
Information above rIven. and the Officers OF the
eahk placed the business IN the hands OF New
lork detectives, with Port JeryIs attorney
10 consult with them. FOR week past
the Port Jervis people seem TO have cropped
Cla'f, and paid no more attention to HIM ms
eatiohs. lie has, however, been securely Kept al
tne ponce HEADQUARTERS. Demanding eXaInlna-
non ne was as stated brought before the Recorder
Oh MONDAY. aud no evidence being adduced
against MIN for completely In The robbery he
discharged. The result of the further Investigations
Or the 0auk Officers and the detectives IL not
Known here. II Is supposed, however tbBt
Tue descriptions furnished them BY GAR,
oi the craftsmen whom lie saw at Port Jer,Is on
we nlfht Oi Inc robbery. Clair Processes to he an
ou nand al he business himself, and says lie wants
10 ieaVe u aud earn an honest LIVING. HIS present
employer speaks In hign Terms OF his honesty and
INDUSTRY,