Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-09
Robbery of the Barre Bank


At twelve o'clock, Tuesday night, Mr..
Charles A. King, cashier Of the Barre bank,
and his wife, with their little girl, were
peacefully sleeping in a chamber Of his house,
which is located IN "Gospelville.p about a
quarter of a mile from tho bank, when they
we're suddenly aroused by a shout and red
fash Of light from a bulls-eye lantern.
Starting up, Mr.. King says he saw four
men standing over the bed. One said,
"Hush not a bit Of noise, and no one will
bo hurt 1 suppose you know what we have
come for 3' Mr.. King said, AYES" They
then requested him to get up and dress,
which he did, delaying as long as possible.
The burglars tore a pillow-case into strips,
made a small gag, and put il 10 Mr.. Kings
mouth. Then they requested Mrs. King TO
get up, which she did, wrapping a sheet
around her. One Of them took the child in
his arms. The mother said, keep quiet,
darling, you won't be hurt" Va-
Going down stairs with the mother and
child, leaving Mr.. King with a keeper, they
placed two chairs 10 q small bedroom and
seated them. S~crewiug some rings into the
floor, they strapped their ankles to them with
leather straps and tared ropes, placing hand
cuffs on their wrists aud otherwise securing
them. Leaving them in the care Of a young
man about 20 years old. Charging him to
keep close watch, they proceeded with Mr..
King to the bank, one walking some five
rods in front and the other in the rear, while
a third led him. The front and rear guard,
taking his keys, went to the bank, while be
uos laft hahnid n ahork Distance
After reconuoitering tho premises they
returned, aud took him into the bank. Mr..
King opened the vault, taking as much time
as he could. Here they found $1,000 in
unsigned bills, which had been received from
the government the previous evening. These
they Immediately appropriated to their own
use, also about $40 10 revenue stamps.
Inside Of the vault was a safe, secured by
a time-lock which had been set to open at
nine O'Clock, Wednesday morning. II con.
tanned all the valuables Of the bank, some
$4,000 In currency, and a large amount Of
bonds. One of the fellows ordered Mr.
King 10 open the safe, when he informed
them that it had q time-lock. They then
probed the key.hole to see If il could be
opened with powder, but finally gave up
the work. All this occupied about an
hour, after which they took Mr.. King back
to his house, placed him a chair beside his
wife and child, and strapped him to it and
the floor. The gag was then taken out Of
his mouth, aud the family given 4 glass oil
milk and water and a cup Of cold chocolate
which Mrs. King told them where to find
All of this time there were three light:
burning about the house. The burglars
were also joking each other, eating and
drinking. They finally took their departure
about 1880 a. NJ, bidding Mr.. King and wife
goodbye, with mock courtesy and sarcasm
Some fifteen minutes later, Mr.. King ireeC
himself from his bonds. Both he aud hi,
wife had been hand .cufed. An attemp
was made to hand-cuf the child, but sh,
easily drew her little hands through tn,
iron bracelets. Mr.. King ran to the hous,
Of DIR. Braley, President Of the bank, hav
ing on only his pants and slippers. He wen
TO the Cottage Hotel, aud called Mr.. Ord
way from his bed, who went to McGovern't
blacksmith shop, and got a cold chisel with
which they cut the chain Of the shackles
and afterward unlocked them with a key
which they fortunately found. Messrs
Ordway and Aldrich then took a team from
Jackson's stable, and came to Montpelier
where they made a call on Deputy Sherii
futile, reaching the Capitol at about 4 a. III
Mr.. George W. Sargent, the telegraph oper
rator, was next aroused, and dispatches for
warded to st. Adams aud in all directions
To one of these Mr.. Tuttle afterwards re
ceived a reply from Bradford, stating tina
persons answering the description of tn
burglars had crossed the Piermont, N. II
bridge at 6 o'clock, a. m, with Sheriff Jack
son in close pursuit.-ArgHs.