Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-07-19
A Bold Bank Robbery.
$4,000 STOLEN.

- eSAN Nh' ~ tee''6 NOy '~
committed ON the National Bank at Tx
bridge, Mass, on Friday night of last
week. A party of five or more entered
the cashiers house, with which they had
evidently made themselves previously
acquainted. The cashiers name is Eb-
epezer w. Hayward, who is in his 10th
year. The robbrs were in disguise, false
whiskers, &c. The leader was apparent
ly disguised with false whiskers, as he
wore full beard much darker than his
hair. He appeared to belong to a more
refined class than the rest of the gang,
his language evincing more education,
and several times he cautioned his men
to treat the females gently, and seemed
DESTROYS to cause as little suffering to all
as was compatible with safety.
In order to obtain access to the house
the robbers took a ladder which was
hanging on the side of the post.ofiice,
sawed piece off so that it Just reached
the second story windows of the house,
and carrying it some fifty or sixty rods
placed it in position, and five of them
quietly entered through an open window.
After obtaining access to the house the
party silently entered the various sleep
ing apartments, and the inmates were
simultaneously awakened by hand
grasping their throats, and an order in
low voice to keep quiet and they would
not be hurt. The inmates of the house,
besides Mr.. Hayward, were the clerk of
the bank, Mr.. Charles S. Weston, Mr..
Hayward's daughter, twelve years old
granddaughter, and colored servant
girl. They were severally hand cuffed,
with the exception of the little girl, whose
hands were tied with piece of a sheet.
Mr.. Hayward describes the manner in
which he was awakened from sleep as
above, and on opening his eyes he saw
two men, one holding a pistol in one
hand and candle in the other, while
the other man said, 81 arrest you for
forgery" Mr.. Hayward naturally re-
piled that it was the first time he was
ever charged with any crime, but before
he could recover from his establishment
the man had handcuffed him. They
then helped him to put his pants on, and
told him he must accompany them to the
bank and unlock the doors to the vault
He told them he could not do it; they
had so excited him that he couldn't gel
down stairs, and his appearance evident
ly impressed them with the truth of hi
st tement, for they Immediately demand
ed to know where his clerk was. He re
piled that they probably knew as vel
as he did. They then tied his feet to
9 gether, and also tied his legs above tn
knees, and after placing knotted hand
kerchief in his mouth, they left the room
leaving him lying helpless on the bed.
Mr.. Weston, who is young man o
twenty-five or three years, was arouse'
z. by hearing slight noise in Mr.. Hay
e wards room, and on opening his eyes h
G found man standing at his bedside wit
g a revolver pointing at his head. He wa
almost instantly handcuffed and inform
y ed that he was arrested" but no caus
:, was assigned. He was allowed to put o.
u u his pantaloons, and one of the men helr
n ed him to put on his stockings, and the
e a small cord was placed around his nee
n and grasped by hand, ready at til
/ slightest attempt at cutlery to choke hin
= He was then taken down stairs and on
r. of the back door by four men, two G
It whom disappeared as soon as they GO
E. out doors. The others walked on eithe
y side, and during the walk to the ban
= he was hit on one cheek by pistol an
v on the other by the cold blade of an ope
l. knife, while gentle admonition was giS
1t en- him to keep still.
5, On reaching the Unitarian churcl
which stands about midway between til
house of the cashier and the bank, M
10 Weston was left for ten or fifteen mil
utes with one of the men, while the otl
70 er left him; and soon after, on hearin
!. low whistle from the direction of ii
H. bank, he was hurried along into the ope
D. door by the two men. A light is keI
v burning in the banking room all nigh
lg and as soon as they entered Mr.. Westo
n was forced to get down on his knees, an
or all three crept silently across the roo
rs and behind the counter. The outer doc
IS, of the vault was soon unlocked, and I'll
Id men entered and closed it behind then
ar Reminded of his danger by an exit
r. twist of the cord around his neck, M
Weston was forced to unlock the comp
nation lock on the inner door of IL
va vault, which revealed to the robbie
nj their expected treasure. which they pr
" ceeded to examine without delay.
at The result was they got $4,000 onl
On They asked Mr.. Weston if there were N,
D. bonds in the hank, and reluctantly a
Mt cepted his word that there were non
Il. l. Al L L ar