Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-12
The Winthrop Bank Robbery-A Little
Light upon the Subject.

READFIELD, Nov IL, 1875.
Mr.. EDIToR Some of the accounts published
several days strcc, Of the affairs OF the Winthrop
been taken for the recovery of its stolen property,
seem to have given the impression that the rights
| and safety of the public had been sacrificed or
overlooked, in the effort to recover the bonds and
securities of the bank. But no one having full
knowledge on the subject, could honestly have in
tended to give such impression, because such IS
| not the fact. With your permission, will give a
brief statement of the proceedings in the case and
of what has been done by those officially chai ged
with the settlement of the banks affairs.
| The robbery was July 23d, 1875. On the 9th
day Of August followinsy the trustees of the bank
fled bill in equity in the S. j. Court, represent
ing its con5ititn n, praying for the sequestalon OF
It's property, the appointment Of a receiver, and
such further action as is provided by the statute.
pom due notice a hearing was had September
9Th, an order of sequesiation passed, and q re-
cever and commissioners appointed. Prior to
this time, the trastees had been making diiigent
efforts secure the robbers and the stolen
property. And from all the information that could
be obtained, they became satisfied that there was
but way by which the property could be re-
covered, so as TO be made available to the deposit
ors; and that.wa by offering reward for its re-
turn. If this could be done, they had strong hopes
that the whole, part Of the property, could be
secured.
| | nder this state Of facts the receiver petitoned
| the court for instruction and direction, 70 the
the proper action 10 be taken in the premises, and
on the 18th day Of October an order was passed
authorizing hin TO offer reward of not exceeding
Sl0,oU0 for the recovery and return IN good con
diton OF all the stolen property belonging to the
| bank. On the 2lst Of October, this reward was
offered, and the 9TH Of the present month it Wa
paid to Col. c. A. Wing of Winthrop, on leceiv-
| ing from him all the bonds and securities stolen
| from, and belonging to the savings bank These
Amounted their yRlup Si,6 100 The
receiver also, at the same time obtained under the
reward, securities pledged to the bank by i1divd-
uals, as collaterals, amounting to 1890:
! The order Of the court, under which the reward
was authorized was not silent on the question of
| compromise with the robbers, but in most explicit
terms, forbade anything to be said or done, IN any
way shielding them, or their accompces, before
or after the fact, from the prosecution and pun
| isbment their crimes deserve. And in the offer OF
reward, this order referred to, and these pro-
visions made part of its terms and conditions
AS matter of fact the person who restored the
property did not ask any protection for the guilty
| parties, and no act was done, or assurance given
| in connection with its recovery and return, that
not strictly in accordance both with the letter
and spirit of the order Of the court.
The public may rest assured, that no party now
| charged with any duty connected with the affairs
of the bank will relax any effort for the discovery
| bold and daring robbery. What has been done,
has been entirely in the interest of the deposors
and they may we'll deem themselves fortunate in
the result of the efforts made Their expectations
| as to dividends. however, must be moderated by
the fact that the present market value of the Sc
curtes recovered, will fall very much below their
| face value.
| Tue statements referred to have been repeated
more less at length by the press generally, and
| it would seem TO be but act of justice to those
officially charged with the settlement of the affairs
of the bank, that this communication should have
| the same publicity.
Very respectfully,
EMERY O. BEAN,
Receiver of w. s. Bank.