New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-11-22
= Cu,RIOUS "REMINISCENCES ABOUT
NEW YORK DETECTIVES.

OFFICIAL JUUnNHl VI NtW VnAtoWS
. r1,RIOUs "REMINISCENCES ABOUT
NEW YORK DETECTIVES.
The Boylston Bank Rebbery-Where the
Money Went-Negotiatiens for q Set
tlement-How . Middleman was Vfo-
tturfxed-Wherea beuts Of the Thieves.
lNev Haven (November 81 correspondence OF the
Boston Traveller
Everybody, not only in your city put
throughout New England, will remember
the audacious robbery Of the vault OF the
Boylston Bank in the summer OF 1862 The
holiness of the operators and the method IN
which thew performed their work, coupled
with the fact that many of the sufferers were
left with scarcely dollar in the world, lent
to the subject o powerful degree OF interest.
This was intensified by sundry mysterious
announcements which appeared almost daily
in the newspapers, to the effect that "negO-
tiations" were quietly being carried on with
the thieves, and that there was an almost
certainty that portion OF the property
would be returned to its owners. But the
patient walters in this case gave denial to
the statements of the old prOverb, for they
were and are still the losers.
Although the public were well enough
aware that detectives were at work, they
failed to perceive any substantial result
growing out of their labor, and finally, at
ter weeks and months of suspense, the COM
munity settled down into q belief that the
money was irretrievably gone. "And so it
has" said well known gentleman OF this
city the other day in an interview with your
correspondent, adding the assertion that
'the detectives and putters up OF the loo
got the most of it," He then went on with
= narrative Of the affair, which, if it be
true, reflects no little-call it discredit-
upon those who were instrumental in work
ing up the Job.
70 begin with, he said there were five
men connected with the burglary, LangdOn
Moore being at their head and taking
charge of the preliminary arrangements
: Before proceeding to carry out his plans,
and withdrew altogether from participa-
ton in the affair. It is not necessary here
to recapitulate the story Of the crime. All
win remember that the robbers rented q
! room next to that occupied by the vault OF
the bank, and, with o few days exertion,
succeeded in making away with their plum
! der. The whole city stood aghast at their
temerity, and there was great hue and
cry. But these four men were too shrewd
and cunning to allow themselves to be
caught in the very morning of success, and
for some days not the slightest mixing could
be learned Of their whereabouts. And here
it might be stated that they were safely
housed in o notorious crib on Houston
9treet, New York. There they remained
until the public excitement began to die
!, away, and they could more safely take
measures for the utilization of their spoils.
The New York detectives with whom they
had previously dealt demanded larger
perauisite than the robbers deemed prOfita-
Z Bile to disburse, and it was; therefore, de-
cided to select middle man from some
other city. Such a enc was found here in
the person of an old schOOlmate of one OF
the thieves. A. carefully worded letter was
accordingly dispatched to him, stating,
among other things, that unless satisfactory
negotiations could be concluded with the
bank officials, the entire property would be
carried out of the country. A few hours
reflection convinced the recipient Of the
letter that he had better undertake the
trust, and he SO wOrded his reply. Speed
being one of the essential conditions OF sue
cess, he took the first train for Boston that
day, where he interviewed the principal
losers in the affair, submitting to each a
paper whereby it was agreed to accept q
proportion Of their loss in liquidation OF all
claims, it being understood that the thieves
4 and the bearer of the paper were to share
the remainder.
These conditions were agreed to by every
one to whom they were submitted, and,
armed with documentary evidence to that
u .
certained the whereabouts Of the thieves,
and after much trouble, succeeded in meet
ing one of them face. to face. lie submit
ted the results Of his labor, and was told
/ that it was satisfactory, but that a definite
answer could not be given until the follow
ing morning. Mr.. Blank was elated at his
success. He called upon prominent police
= officer in the city, and was promised his co
operation in the good work, and then tele,
graphed to Boston loser, urging his imlne-
date departure for New York. Then, call
: ing again upon the New York officer, the
offers of assistance were reiterated, and
plans were laid for the arrest of the parties.
Overj0yed at his success, Mr.. Blank retired
to his hotel, there to dream away the weary
hours which lay between him and cOmpe-
tency Of wealth. But he was doomed to
disappointment.
The thieves were not to be hoodwinked
in this way. Mr.. Blank was too dangerous
a person to be allowed to remain in New
York unmatched, and from the moment
that his presence had been communicated
to them his every step was noticed. From
the hotel to the street, to the police Office
and to the depot, his motions were under
constant surveillance, none the less ngit
because he himself was unaware OF its ex
istence. Even his conversation with thu
!, police officer after his interview with thu
thief was, asserts my informant, overheart
by confederate and reported to head
quarters. The matter Of personal safet.
became vital one. The burglars had con
iided in Q man who was to betray them t.
Justice, and it became necessary to get Oh
Of his way.
Accordingly, making hurried settlement
with the New York officers, upon their owl
terms, the party packed up the remnants o
their plumber that same night, and departe'
for Northern New York. There division
was made of the spoils, and two OF the mum
Der found their way to Europe. The other
separated, one going to the extreme West
and the other remaining in the vicinity Q
the place where the party broke up. This
says my informant, was the condition o
affairs two months after the robbery.
Elbow much money did they reserve 70
themselves p inquired.
.'Well, really can not say. have bee
told, however, that $4,000 will not NOR
than cover the amount they left in Ne1
York"
..Is there ahy probability that this none.
will ever be recovered %
s'In my opinion, no? Too much time ha
elapsed since the crime was committed
Then, too, the thieves have probabl
secured themselves against the danger o
arrest, and would laugh at any proposal 70
compromise"
state that the gentleman from whom thes
statements were obtained is respected as
man of truth wherever he is known. TIL
conversation with me was Of his own FIRE
will, although it was only after repeate
solicitations that he gave his consent to il
publication.
An Albany Argass correspondent writes
"Crossing over the ferry to HOboken. driy