Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-28
Examination of the Alleged Uxbridg,
Bank Robbers,

Bank Robbers.
The parties arrested by Deputy Sher.ffs Bacon
and Hayward, suspected of being implicated in
tue robbery of the Blackstone national bank of
uxbrldge, on the night of July 10, were ar
ragned before Justice A. A. Putnam. of the
second district court of southern Worcester. Mt
uxbrdge, yesterday. Their names are Julius
A. Cummings, Charles II. Cummings, VIM.
Coughlan and John Jones. George W. Hobbs
Esq, of UXbridge, counsel for the defendants.
waived the readingEof the complaints against
them, entering their plea Of not Iilty. H..
tales, Esq, Of Milford, for the prosecution, said
the government was satisfied, after review of
the whole testimony since the arrests, that there
was not sufficient evidence to warrant the
longer detention of two of the defendants,
Coughlan and Jones, on the charges against
them, and on his motion the court ordered their
discharge,
MIR. Faes stated that he should introduce
testimony TO show that julius A. Cummings
was principal in the burglary, and that Charles
was accessory, either before or after the fact
He should show that for some time past Julius
had been concealed under the alias Of VIM. w
Sherwn-that some of the time he had been in
Uxbridge-that six weeks ago he communicated
to an important, witness within nine days of the
time of the robbery, the fact that their plans
were nearly all completed; in addition to which
and other declarations was the testimony of a
letter from Reuben Cummings to his brother
julius, in reference to the affair
The most important witness in the case was
Stephen c. Phillips, andold resident Of Uxbridge
and former friend of the Cummings family.
lie said he learned the trade of painter of
Charles Cummings, now deceased father of the
defendants, and had work for him and also
for the defendants who succeeded to the basi-
ness of their father. Witness stated that in
June, 1871, while he was at work for Charles II.
Cummings, Charles told him he had an
important matter to tell him which would sur
prise him, if he would promise secrecy, which
he would not promise; that afterwards julius
went away and Charles had a letter from him
in Baltimore asking him to join with him in
certain enterprise, that he (Julius) had "got in
with gang OF thieves and pickpockets and he
could get a living easier than by painting"
Phillips said Charles promised to let him see
this letter if he would promise eternal secrecy,
but witness would not promise, and he did not
let him see the letter. Charles said he would
30 aud join them, only he was mar
ried and could not. In the latter part of
June, 1872, witness again began work for
Charles, and on the night of July Julius
came to the house and asked for Charles. Ju-
Illus said to witness, 1--WE know you are all right,
"a ar mot frai of
ready to go through with the bank affair"
Witness said to Julius, "Charles told me some
time ago you were going to do it," To which
julius said, eyes, we are" Witness went away
soon after; would not stay with Charles anv
longer Never saw julius after July 4. com
municated the facts ! learned in this way TO
Deputy Sheriff Hayward soon after the affair.
On cross-examination Phillips stated that
Charles told him Julius wanted him to help
rob the Uxbridge bank that il could be easily
done, and he meant to do it. That Charles said
he would help him, only he was afraid.
Deputy Sherifrs Bacon and Hayward, who
made the arrests, testified in regard to the same.
They arrested the defendants at an early hour
Monday morning, at the residence of their
mother. Julius asked, "What do you want me
Gor~ They told him for debts. When the hand.
cuffs we're being put on julius said, "This can't
be for debt; You think am connected with the
bank robbery"
The letter of Reuben Cummings to his brother
julius, directed to the latter, alias own. W.
Sherwin," was then read, as showing further
revelations aud fears of arrest, Sc, but the de-
fence claimed that it had reference to arrests on
account of debts, Sc.
The government here resting its case, the
counsel for The defense introduced the defend
nts to testify in Their own behalf. They denied