The New York herald., 1870-01-03
THE IOWA SAFE ROBBERY.
singular Characterization OF tho Assistans
Trcasurer-Hts Suicide.
Icago Tribune, Dec. SOL

[From the Chicago Tribune, Dec. 30l
On the 9th oi December last Tama CITY, Iowa. WAS
on account OF the robbery OF the County TreasIrcs
safe Of money amounting to between $1,000 and
day one OF the county OIllcials named Newcomer,
heard means and groans proceeding from the Trea-
treasurer Denton Camery. wing under the table IN
o pool OF blood He was apparently insenslbc.
Examination showed that he had several wounds In
the breast, that his hand was gasned across, aud
that his head was badly bruised. ON coming to he
gave the following version OF the case:-
About hafpast SIX +. N. he was In the 0iice pre-
pairing to 70 home, wncn two men or savage aspect
came TO the counter and called FOR i've dollars worth
bin Of 800. After carefully scrutinizng the b to
assure himself Of Its Renuineness he went to open
the safe 70 get the change. While dong so the
larger OF the two men jumped over the counter and,
grabbing him by the throat inflicted the wounds IN
his breast with knife, while the other man occu-
stick after which he put out the lamp. The wound
10 his hand was caused by himself as no grasped tho
knife with which his assailant was cutting him up.
The thieves then ransacked the safe.
The entire community felt deep interest IN tho
case, for Mr.. Camery was nearly killed IN protecting
public property. He received the sympathy OF u
man VINO sacrifices himself for the puDlic good.
Then he was always known a. respectable citizen,
OF tried worth and honesty, ami, more than all. mad
been married only SIX weeks to the pretticst Qirl in
that part OF the country.
HIS friends ana nelghbors vowed vengeance on
the perpetrators OF the outrage and sort Of vgi-
lance committee was formed 10 hunS down the vii
lains The country was secured and every susp-
watched, but with no satisfactory result as no clue
could DO obtained to fasten the crime upon any ypody
MI. u. ii. warren, banker In the town, was deter
mined have the mystery solved III any cost 80 he
wrote to MIR. Holmes, OF the Manufacturers National
Bank, OF thus city who placed the In the hands
or Plnkerton'5 National Detective Agency. detec-
tive WAS az once despatched To the to work up
the case. He lay around there Tor week. following
up tue case. Az the end or that time hc became cO-
vnced that none OF the known bad characters the
community were guilty OF the crime. The story tod
by Camery did not hold together In all its parts.
hat
could not be reconcied. 1t was strange that when
the lamp was thrown down 1t did not SET something
on fire, and 1t was more strange that the wounds,
though deep were not serious, nor were they such
as man would be likely TO receive In 4 struggle OF
lie and death. The detective made up his mind ttas
Camery inflicted the wounds upon himself as q
bind 10 screen the robbery and to divert suspicion
into other channels. Camery was Induced to come
10 TINS city on Thursday last on pretencc OF search
ing for the robbers here. He came without much
hesitation, and was taken 10 Pnkerton's of1ce,
where he was put through course OF what de-
tectivcs call ''sweatlngp aud after three hours
examination he owned up and confessed The crime.
lie stated tnat the money In the safe al nis
Querabe desire to steal II. He took IT, and
buried IL under the sidewalk OF tho Court House
Yard, where IT has since been found, not dollar
missing The wounds he made with a knife aud
then bumped his head against the wall 70 produce
the bruises. He must have been man OF surpass-
ing coolness, combined with great tenacty OF pur-
pose TO todeDerateiy plan and execute such scheme.
lie was taken back wheace he came and gwen III
custody oi the authorities. The surprise OF the peo-
pie on learning the true state Of affairs may b.
imagined CaMery, overcome with shame and dis-
appointment, shot himself Oh Tuesday, thus passing
ignominiousiy away at the early age Of twenty five
when nus prospects were Drlgnt and leaving behind
h TO mourn his disnonor and his loss tle bride Of
u lew weeks.
There seems TO De no adequate motive for the rob-
Dcry. Inc unfortunate man was comparatively Well
on the owner OF some valuable real estate and In
the enjoyment OF u good salary. IL Is but another
instance OF the weakness OF human nature and the
inability OF the human heart TO resist temptation.
How oft the sight Of means
To do i'll deeds makes IA deeds donei