Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-01
THE WINTHROP BANK ROB-
Berry.
Recovery If The SieleU Property.
S5O.OOO in Bonds Returned
by the Robbers.
FULL ACCOU vTOFIHE NEGOTI ATOMS
WITH THE ROBBERS AGENT.

formed the job, the public excitement in relation
to the matter has very naturally subsidized, and
there are many who shook their heads in doubt,
entertaining the belief that the stolen property
would never be recovered 1t was never suspect
ed that in the meanwhile, the trustees of the bank
were hard at work IN the most Sc cret manner try
ing to ferret out traces of the daring and skillful
rascals and leaving no stone untulnod to recover
the missing property. But such are the facts.
And 80 well did they keep their counsels, and 30
admirably have they managed 10 keep the public
in ignorance of what they have been doing that,
now that success has crowned their efforts in re-
gaining possession of the missing property, the in
formation will be pleasant surprise to the COM
munity at large, and mere especially TO the num-
crous depositors of the savings bank, most of
whom were poor people, who could lily afford TO
bear the loss they had met with.
The robbery, it will be remembered took place
at an carly hour on the morning OF July 70, and
the total amount OF punGcr was some S9O,0OO.
principally in government bonds, railroad and
municipal securities and currency. The savings
bank sustained the lions share of the loss, the
National bank suffering only slight loss OF some
$40 900
Shortly after the robbery, a reward Of $4,000
was offered for the detection Of the thieves and the
recovery of the stolen property. The services OF
Maine detective were temporarily secured, but
when the time expired that his labors should cease,
and il was found that he was making no headway
in getting clue to the whereabouts OF the rob
bcls the bank officials turned their attention else
where. Fortunately, about this time Mr. Joshua
Taggart a well known detective OF Phi!adelphia,
having an experience Of Learly thirty years, and
at the head OF the Pennsylvania detective bureau
of the Quaker city, came to inthiop. lie hap
pcncd to he in Boston on business, where he heard
Of the robbery, and having curiosity to see how
the lob was performed thinking he might form an
opinion as 10 whom the craftsmen were, he W as
led to make visit to Winthrop. When he reach
ed that village, and made himself known to the
officers Of the bank, he found that the safe which
the burglars had busted" and riied, had been
sent 10 Boston the day before, and that the presc:
safe, new one had taken its place. The old safe
however, was fully described TO TaggaIt. and the
manner in which II had been operate Il upon. OH
er facts in connection with the robbery were also
furnished him, and from such information that he
CLEANED, he did not hesitate 10 express his opinion
that the robbery had been committed by one OF
two parties, both of whom be knew personally.
The job looked SO much Ike the work Of the pro-
fessionai he had in mind, whose peculiar handi-
craft in such operations he familiar with, that
he felt quite sure that lie could work the up
to a success full issue.
The bank officials during this visit of Tagga,t
were not in position to secure his services, on
account of the time of the Maine detective they
had employed not having expired. They were so
favorahIy imp essed however, with Tagg ats ap-
pcarance, as well as his statements that they gave
him to understand that when tae engagement Of
the Maine detective had expired he might hear
from them. Taggart then returned 10 PAiladel-
Ihia.
A few DAYS after he had gone, the bank officers
received letter tom Tagpart asking for full
description Of the supposed robbers. This in
formation was promptly sent. AT stili later day
another letter received from Taggart, to the
effect that it was his opinion that the robbers
property might be reached but IN a few days more
he was in hopes fully satisfy himself whether his
opinion was fell founded or not. When this time
had expired. another letter was received by the
bank officers from Taggalt, directing them TO send
one OF their number to Philadelphia without delay.
with authority to act for them. When this last
letter received the bank trustees held a meet
ing Immediately Y, and decided TO comply with lag
CART request; the result was Col. Charles A.
Wing unanimously selected to proceed TO
Philadelphia and Taggart 1t may be well
enough mere to state, that before Col. ing left
on his mission, the court into whose hands the al
fairs of the savings bank had been placed for the
purpose OF closing them up and appointing re-
cevey, was consulted III the matter, and approved
of the course that the trustees were taking.
On the 9Th Of September, Col. Wing started for
Philadelphia, reaching that city at noon the next
day. lie found Taggart, who informed him that
he had been approached by mddeman in the in
terest of the robbers, who offered TO make iesti-
tuition of the property on certain conditions. As
the result Of Col. Wings interview with Taggart,
arrangement was made for a meeting with this
middleman two days later on the 9Th At
ABOUT noon OF lnat cate, tNls OCCuITtu III
a secluded place in the city, and not in a desirable
locality 1t was held in a room over barroom
irequented, undoubtedly, by the lower and per-
haps more dangerous class of society. Col. Wing
was not armed in fact during the performance Of
his responsible and in some respects dangerous
mission, he had no weapon with him to defend
himself in case he had been so required.
The middleman who put in his appearance was
a sharp, otI-hand fellow, who evidently knew his
business. The first question that Col. Wing put
,,<k.o Con Sha
parties holding the stolen property: His reply
was 81 have been requested TO, and have con-
sented.'
do you know" continued Col. Wing, "of the
whereabouts of the parties"
81 do not
"should any arrangement be made at this meet
ing, how long time do you need to carry it out
on YOUR part y
Probably ten days-a week at least
''Should any arrangement be made to-day, am
to understand" remarked Col Wing, "that such
arrangement embraces the government bonds
which were stoleni'
at cannot embrace government bonds, nor the
currency taken, but all the other securities"
Col. Wing eyed the man for moment and then
remarked Am TO regard your answer as hnal
one in relation to government bonds :;
"Yes," replied the man firmly; "the govern
ment bonds cannot be restored.
Turning to Mr.. Taggart, Col. Wing then said,
"If this be the fact don't know as | have any
further business with this man.
At this point in the conversation there ensued
a few moments of silence, during which the rob
bers' agent maintained an air of absolute indtfcr-
ence as he smoked his segar and twirled cane
that he carried
The silence was broken by Taggart. who re-
marked, Cant some portion OF the bonds be
reached in some way p
"No, they cannot" replied the man.
Col. Wing then observed, "lnasmuch as l am
here we may we'll see upon what terms the
proposed securities can be returned"
"My directions are for twenty per cent, said
the man.
Col Wing then raised the que stion, whether the
twenty per cent. had reference to the face OF the
bonds, or their market value. at the same time
stating that portion of the bonds had become
greatly deprecated in value since their purchase
by the bank.
To this the man replied coolly, GAS business
man, | should say the twenty per cent. should APP
ply to the market value of the bonds"
as this proposition your ultimatum = asked
Col. Wing.
"Yes; these are my Instructions.
At this stage Col. Wing suggested to Iaggart
an adjournment of the interview to an hour thfee
hours later, which proposition was approved
Another place was also agreed upon for the next
interview.
1t appears that before the next interview took
place, Taggart during the intermediate time saw
the robbers representative, at the instance OF Col.
N';ntr x,,hoSa object " In have Tapuart the