The New York herald., 1873-01-23
A SINGULAR ROBBERY.
Bonds and Valuables to the Extent Of Forty
Thousand Dollars Stolen in Wall Street
Before the Eyes Of Six People.
The Thieves Escape and No Trace of Them
Found-The Whole Amount Prob
ably q Total Loss

One Of the most singular and audacious robberies
. ever committed took place on Wednesday after
noon, at 50 Wall street. in the office OF the Houston
and Texas Central Railroad Company whereby forty
or fifty thousand dollars were lost and probably
irredeemably SO. The railroad company is not the
sufferer. however, but a private party whose i'll
fortune 1t was to have been the victim OF the
robbers.
At about two O'Clock on the afternoon in ques-
ton Mr.. w. +. Dodge, OF the firm Of Phelps, Dodge
4 Co., who is the President of the Houston and
Texas Central Railroad had just got through signing
number Of bonds and was resting from his abors
when Mr.. q. II. Currier, gentleman connected
with the firm OF Wilmerding & Mount, entered the
office. He had
IN HIS POSSESSION
twenty-five bonds OF the Houston and Texas Gen.
tral Railroad each valued at $1,000. These were
loose, not being confined in any package. There
were also 100 shares OF stock OF the railroad, be-
sides a bank book containing some checks and sew
eral national bills of large amount. and accom-
panying the whole was blank power OF attorney
signed by Anna E. Paige eXecutrx of the estate of
David II. Paige deceased, and former Vice President
Of the road Mr. Currier sat down on the sofa
close by the large window at the end of the inner
office and on the right side Of the room on enter
ing; In the office besides were Southern director
OF the road and another gentleman doing business
with the concern. At this moment q map pedler
came came into the room and expressed desire to
hibit - .ss -
~-..'.sssesEr4sss1xsass A LARGE MAP
OF the United States, which he desired to sell.
Mr. Dodge, who had formerly agreed to buy such
q map II 1t were large enough for his purpose,
therefore-ln order to examine it-came over
from the other side Of the room and sat beside Mr..
map and the Southern director and the other gen.
tlemen gathered round TO examine and criticlse
strangers entered the outer oflice-one, who was
tall and dark, wearing a sealskn cap and a neavy
overcoat. apparently about thrty-ve years OF age,
and the other beardless youth. The former asked
the boy in the outer office to show him the Drec-.
tory. and began turning its pages carelessly over,
| while the youth entered the inner office and asked
one OF the officers to give him report Of the earn
ings and spendings, OF the road. While he
the room from the position of those who were look
| ing at the map the eldest of the two strangers
left the Directory in the ONCE and went into
the inner office and joined the group OF those who
HE THEN PASSED BEHIND THE MAP
window, on the sill Of which Mr. Currier had
| placed his package, while his attention was
engaged IKE the remainder OF the gentlemen; me
course, noticed the occnrrencel. then edged up
towards the window until he arrived within reach
| ing distance OF the coveted package. At this
moment all the four gentlemen had their heads
turned toward the map. closely tracing out the
| course OF the railroad. The strange individual
| must then have seized his opportunity and
! snatched the package, which lay on the window
| sill, quickly transferring it to his pocket A
| moment afterwards the strangers were missed
from the room, and second attsr that Mr.. Currier
noticed the disappearance Of his package of bonds
| and valuables from the window. He quickly ap-
prised the Others Of his loss, and In moment all
| In the room were
| CAREFULLY SEARCHING
| for the missing bonds, &c. Every corner OF the
office was searched, but to no purpose. The clerk
entered the Office few moments after and says he
| noticed at the bottom Of the stairs two men ma
| king their way out Of the building very quickly
But at the time he attached no Importance to 1t.
The commotion was very great In the office and IN
the midst OF 1t the map pedler disappeared. II is
| supposed that fear OF being suspected made him
depart SO suddenly, and he Is not really suspected
| OF having anything to do with the robbery.
The bonds and securities have been advertised
for but 1t is not thought this will be productive OF
| any result as the bonds have coupons upon them
which are payable to bearer, and there is means
OF Identifying these particular ones. 1t is there
| fore thought they will be total loss.
The numbers OF the bonds are from 6,276 to $500
| Of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad The
loss Will, of course fall upon Mrs. Paige, widow OF
1 d. ii. Paige, and not upon the railroad. report
was current that Mr. II. S. Hatch was the loser,
| but this is a mistake. 1t arose from the TACT that
| Immediately after the robbery Mr.. Hatch went to
the Stock Exchange and telegraphed the robbery
| to all the brokers; but he Is in nowise concerned
In IL.