The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-04-19


night, about IL o'clock, while on lis way
home, he was overtaken by the rain; that
he stepped into the passage-way, in rear
Of the bank, and partially closed the
door; shortly afterwards, man, whom
he supposed was the bank watchman,
caught him by the arms and dragged
him into tho adjacent room-Gaige, as
he says, protesting that lie was not a
robber, etc.; another individual then ap.
peared and presented revolver at his
head, threatening to kill him if he made
any alarm. Gaige says he was then
forced into closet, near the vault, the
parties insisting that he should lie down
and keep perfectly quiet, or they would
promptly dispose of him. He SAWS that
the two individuals then returned TO the
front room, and continued hammerino
and boring for several hours; and that
about o'clock, as he supposes, they left
the building. He was. as he asserts,
afraid of making any outory, ns the rob-
bers might be on the premises still, and
would carry out their threats. This
statement he made, with bnt slight vari-
alton, when questioned by different par
ties. Gaige had an examination before
the Mayor, yesterday morning, but was
cautioned by an attending Magistrate
against making any statement that would
criminate himself; he merely repeated
what we have given above. Gaige de-
clares that there were only two men
within the building of them being
rather slender, and the other stout, with
curly hair.
This is one of the best-planned and
most successfully carried-out robberies
which has ever occurred in this portion
OF the country. The burglars went to
work so systematically arranging
q twiue-telegraphic alarm-and. covered
their tracks 30 carefully, that nothing
tangible relative to their movements has
transpired, and beyond mere suspicion,
there is nothing to go upon. A quantity
of burglars implements were left in the
room-suficient to start several indiyi-
duals in the busincss-jimmies, levers,
braces, boring apparatus, etc. A sledge
hammer, belonging to respectable me-
chanical establishment, was among the
lot; which, of course, was matter of
surprise to the legitimate owners. Among
the stolen property, was large amount
in bills of the old Bank of the State and
Exchange Bank of this city. It is be-
lieTc1 1 that no bonds or stocks-of which
there was large quantity in the vault
were carried off. The entire loss, it is
believed. will not exceed S5O,OOO-the
bank suffering to the extent of about
800, 900, it is thought; special depoaitors
being the principal losers. Several thou
sand dollars in gold was taken; silver was
thrown aside, from its great weight. The
thieves effected Oh entrance through the
front door, and made their exit, appa-
rently, from the rear. The principal
door of the vault was forced open by
breaking the outer edge of the two upper
sockets in the door facing; and, as is
supposed, through the means of q lever,
springing the two lower bolts out of their
sockets; holes had been drilled above
ehohl3 1ol oOAC uuhuOWu purpose. In6
paddock on the second door was then
smashed; strips of India rubber were
used to deaden the sounds. The hinges
Of one of the doors of the safe, within
the vault, were broken off; the inner
casing forced. and the bolts pushed back,
when the door was lifted entirely of, and
the valuable contents of the safe taken
possession of. Notwithstanding the
topsy-turvy state of things, the bank
continued its regular business, yesterday
to all outward appearance rs though
nothing had occurred. The following
circular was issued by the firm:
To THE PUBLIC. With many thanks
to our friends and the community for
their manifestations of sympathy on the
| occasion of our recent loss, we assure
them of our readiness and ability to meet
all demands promptly on presentation.
k1.o e