The New York herald., 1869-12-01
BANK ROBBIRIEs.


Stoien-Wedaing, sledGing and Blasting-
safe Bursters OutrivaIiing the safe Build
prs-Fuil Details Of the Annir-Fivo Thou
sand Dollars Reward offered.
[From the Port Jervs Evening Gazette, Nov. SOL
One OF the most astounding, bold and successful
National Bank OF Port Jervls by which about
$4,000 In currency. bonds and securities be-
longing TO the pank and individuals who
had placed their bonds in the bank for safe
Keeping was stolen. the burglars having success
fully made their escape. The robbery was first dis
covered about seven O'Clock by Andrew Thompson,
the bank CLERK, ii. ii. Farnum, president OF the
bank, and Peter T. Farnum. The news soon became
noised abroad. and all the morning the bank
learn the particulars There are all sorts OF stories
afoat as TO the extent Of the loss, some stating
the amount to be 100000 and others still larger
all OF which are incorrect The total loss to the bank
IL between twenty nve and thirty Thousand dollars,
or about 0nealf their surplus fund. This loss does
not affect the responsibility OF the bank in the least
me bank building is one OF the most solid and
substantial structures in town, being constructed OF
stone with iron shutters to the windows, and barred
and boiled in the most secure manner, rendering 1t
Impossible Tor any but an expert burglar TO obtain
an entrance without considerable effort, which
would be likely TO awaken those living In the vicinity.
The vault OF the bank was constructed Of stone with
foundation OF the same material the entrance to
which was secured by an immense iron door, weigh
Ing about $500 pounds, and an inner door OF solid
wrought iron, about threequarters o an nch thick
The locks used on both the outer and inner doors
were "Lillies Combination Burglar Pr0ofn The size
OF inc vault was SIX by eight feet and
OF the books and papers belonging TO the bank.
inside OF the vault were two fire and burglar
Herring and the smaller one by Lille. The Herring
safe contained the money and papers of value be-
longing to the bank, also government securities.
bonds, &c. which had been placed in the bank for
safe keeping: This safe was secured by Yae's CON-
bination lock. The Lille safe also conta small
amount oil bonds and valuable papers
Tho entrance was effected to the bank through
back window IN the rear OF the directors room The
IRON blinds We're opened by cutting on the rivets
n haV
cut the inside sash, pushing in the glass and leav
ing the frame standing. Having obtained ngress 1t
was but ali easy matter TO get III the counting roOm
They next placed piece OF black cambrlc muslin
the head light the front door to prevent
the light from their lamps being seen on the out
side.
The next operation Of the burglars was to open
the vault by driving steel wedges into the side
and underneath the door they made an opening OF
about half an inch IN which they placed q quantity
OF powder, which was ignlted by a Iuse. The door
and frame blown completely OF, and fell
partially against desk, winch was crushed and
brought to the oor. The inner door pried open
BY means OF a oar aud wedges, and the hinges cut
oil, which gave to Inc interior OF the vault
The Herring safe, one OF the best made by them,
was next wedged and blown open The bar on the
inside which held the bolts was blown of. This
sale, as stated above, contained The money belong
ing to the bank, the amount being between $4,000
and 10000, which the robbers secured. In addi-
ton to the property Of the bank there was large
amount OF government securities, bonds, &c which
had been placed by parties Tor sale keeping as else
where noted, which was deposited IN this safe, and
which was also taken, the amount Of which cannot
be ascertained, but il estimated by the officers
Of the bank TO be about $4,000. portion OF these
bonds registered, that they will not be
tually lost to the owners. About one year ago the
officers gave notice TO parties leaving securities in
their keeping that they would become responsible
tor their safety, since which time the amount OF
bonds lying in the bank has been decreased.
number OF packages Of coin, principally nickel
cents, together with small quantity OF gold and
silver was not taken, but lay strewn on the floor Of
taken tax d from Mr. T F. E. Farnnms We'll % was % found i IL
the room and contained about sixteen dollars In Ave
cent pieces, which the thieves considered too bur-
denSome 70 carry.
The small Lille safe was unopened as either the
burglars feared remaining IN the bank longer,
were satisfied with the spolls already obtained.
The exit OF the rascas was made through the WIN
dow by which they entered.
This morning the appearance OF the bank was one
OF indescrbabe confusion. Papers, books and records
lay scattered around In ali directions, the immense
door OF the vault lying partly On the broken desk
and partly on the floor, surrounded by mortar, ana
the implements used by the burglars In the prose-
cutlon OF their work all gave evidence OF the skiiul
manner III which the rascals conducted their
operations, and the boness and GOODNESS shown by
| them.
The following tools used BY ihe burglars were
found this morning in the Dank-About thirty steel
wedges circle saw, gilnets and auger bits. screw
driver cillsel, heavy iron crowbar and claw wire
cutter, pincers, steel pointed drills, assortment
files. two putty knives roll OF sheet brass, printing
wires, fuse, twne, straps, bradawl &c Three fun
were nearly eiapty: also a pair OF rubDers an old
hat, bottle OF sperm on, 0ilclotn, &c.
Is would seeA singular that the robbery could
have been committed and the safe blown open,
when there parties living in such close prox-
unity to the bank Mr.. Peter E. Farnum who re-
light burning in his house all night; that about
two O'Clock he got up on account OF sick
The bank. At three O'Clock ne again got got
up and about fifteen minutes after three
heard an explosion, which gave q mufiied, dead
report as II coming from distance He heard two
men talking and laughing In front OF the door, whom
he thought to be brakemen, as one OF them spoke OF
going out on train. The noise Of parties passing
q
street-al OF which allayed any suspicious Of there
sharp also heard an explosion.
No clue to the burglars has as vet been found al
though the officers OF the bank are putting forth
every exertiOn TO ferret them out and secure their
capture. The telegraph has been freely used and
reward OF $4,000 Is oered for tho detection OF the
thieves and recovery Of tile property.
IL Is reported that two got on board the first
night line at jersey CITY last night who pointed
out TO the conductors by detectives as .'sale
blowers" Early this morning fonr suspicious look
ing individuals with carpet-bags were seen the
freight depot. Two men also got on the way tram
going this morning, who were suspIcioned.
One OF them got of at Mddletown and the other is
reported to have been arrested at Jersey City.
The officers say the business of the bank will suf
Ter but little interruption, only long enough TO
able them to get the books and papers Strengthened
up which Will only be for day or so.
Later Particulars-Arresi OF the Supposed
Burglars In Jersey City.
Yesterday about noon Detective McWilliams, OF
Jersey Clty arrested a yonDg man giving MS name
as John James, who arrived py the nine forty-nve
morning train. suspicion OF being one of the par
ties implicated IN the Port Jcrvis robbery. He was
brought before Recorder Martlndale where he
told a very fshy story, stating that his resi-.
dence was No. I40 Forsyth street, New York,
though he was not quite sure about the num-
Der, as he only lived there snort time.
None OF the missing property was found in his pos
SESSION. He stated that he was clerk by Occupa-
tion, James Madison, q carpenter aged twenty
Axyna mn An.sft hufnh nsraA ntrlatn
were also arrested few hours afterwards on
pclon OF being implicated In the robbery Tney
Will all be held until the authorities at Port Jervis
are heard from James answers the description OF a
young man who was seen IN the railway station al
Port Jervis
A St. Louis savings Institution Robbed--
S11,0O0 in Bonds Taken.
From the ST Louis Repubicau Nov 2st