The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-05
COMPOUNDING CRIME.

Astounding Action of the Officers of Bank
Negotiations with Thieves-A Prominent Law
yer the Go-between.
About two weeks ago the President of the
bank in Middletown, Hnery Farnum, after using
every effort to secure the burglars who recently
robbed the bank, was astonished at receiving
letter from prominent attorney in New York
city, stating that the town bonds taken could be
negotiated for and procured by means OF the
latters efforts. In response to this letter Mr..
Farnum went to the city and called upon the
lawyer at his Office in Wall street. When he
arrived he stated he did not come to negotiate
for the town bonds alone but for all the securi-
ties that had been taken. The attorney said
that the Deerpark town bonds would be re-
turned for twenty per cent. of their value. In
reply to this, Mr.. Farnum stated that he did not
desire 10 negotiate for q part but for all the
property taken.
The attorney said he had nothing to do with
the matter, but he would see the parties who had
the bonds and do what he could.
AIR. Farnum then returned to Fort Jervls and
stated to some of the prominent losers what had
occurred at the interview; and it was resolved
by several of them to proceed to New York, and,
if possible secure the money and the burglars
who had stolen it. They went to the office OF
the lawyer, and there met the counsellor and
several sporting characters whose appearance
would reflect against them in criminal court
The interview which followed was opened by
the remarks of the lawyer, who said:-
'We have considered the proposition of your
| President, and have concluded to return your
| town and Government bonds for 20 per cent. OF
their value, but will require secrecy on your
part"
Infused with the hope of procuring the bonds
without expense, the Port Jervis party requested
time for consideration. They retired from the
room to find n policeman. At the corner of
| Broadway one of the blue-coated gentry was
| found strolling leisurely on his beat and, with
| some excitement, they stated their object and
requested him to go down TO Wall street and at
tempt the arrest of the parties. This he declined
| hnt aaI
necessary legal documents for their arrest, and
advised the party to proceed to the office of the
chief of the detective force to state their case
| to him.
the office of the last-named functionary, and,
arriving there, were told by the officer that
there was no proof to warrant the arrest of the
lawyer and his friends. The detectives also ad-
yised them to accept the proposition offered.
Disappointed in their purposes, the Fort
Jervis party returned to the office in Wall street.
and offered to accept the proposition TO take all
the bonds at twenty per cent. Nothing could
have astonished the Port Jervis gentlemen more
than the reply of the lawyer. Said he:-
mo, sir that proposition is withdrawn. You
went to Broadway, and at the corner of Fulton
street you attempted to procure policeman to
secure our arrest, and, failing there, you pro-
ceeded to the Office of the chief of the detective
| police and endeavored to get him to arrest us.
Now. sir, if you want those bonds you can have
them for 20 per cent on the town bonds and so
A staring scene followed. The prominent
citizens looked first at each other, then at the
lawyer; but said nothing for moment. Having
fallen among the heather, they determined to
make the best of their circum stances, aud ac-
cordingly agreed to accept the proposition. Still
they hoped to secure the bonds without the pay
ment of the money knowing their right to seize
them by force when and wherever found.
An interview was arranged at the Metropolitan
Hotel a few days later, when the bonds were to
be delivered. A few days ago the party again
went to the city, and in private parlor at the
Metropolitan Hotel met the lawyer He greeted
them cordially, and said:-"Well, gentlemen,
you have come for those bonds, now then pro-
duce the money and they will be given to you. -
The so per cent. on the Government bonds, and
the % per cent. on the town bonds.
EYES," said the spokesman of the party, 'but
In reply, the lawyer said:-'I have not your
bonds, but will procure them in five minutes
after have the money in my possession"
| AS no one else, except a small boy, was IN the
room, the citizens were strongly tempted to
| seize and search the lawyer; but, on considera-
tion they concluded to accept the proposition,
and produced the money.
| AS soon as the money was In his pocket, the
| lawyer turned to the boy who was playing
with some chairs, aud whispered something in
| his ear.
The boy ran out of the room and in five
minutes returned to the room with about $23 00(
worth of the bonds in his hands. They were
| given to the citizens, who Immediately left the
room. The first train for Port Jeryis oonVeyeC
the party home, each vowing to the other thai
he would keep the matter profound secret. a
few days have elapsed and the matter is out: an(
| Dor xris ic inv axyar