The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-20

4
it not unre asonable to think Of him in
connection with some Of these later ex-
press rotberics in the western part of
the country! All Of them seem to indi-
cate that the attempts were made or di.
rected by person perfectly familiar with
the railroad and express business, and
there is probably not in the whole United
States man any better posted in this
respect than Filkins. Over twenty years
OF his life was spent in q baggage and ex-
press car. He commenced as brake
man on passenger train between Albany
and Springfield, and for over twelve
years he was through baggage master be-
tween Boston and Albany. Afterward
he was messenger for the American Elk
press Company, between Boston and
Springfield, and subsequently between
Al bany and Suspension Bridge. In the
latter part Of his career in the express
business he had charge Of the transfer
ring Of the money safes Of the American
Company in Albany, q position which he
resigned TO- the purpose Of engaging i'll
business for himself. During all Shis
time he was uniformly faithful and hon.
est, and there were many days when mill.
ions Of dollars passed through his hands.
When he went into business for himself
he was unfortunate, and, to relieve him.
sell Of the opportunities Of his creditors.
he became so desperate as &c resort to
ROBBERY AND MURDER
lie was always regarded as singular.
~ genial fellow among his friends, and in
the qualities of bravery and rocklessness
there are few who could equal him. AS a
daring robber he possessed all the re-.
Quisites, and that he ignored consequences
is manifested by his bold and successful
attempts to escape from the Clinton pr;s.
on. The attempt made to rob train on
the Vandalia railroad, last Thursday
night, looks like a job of Filkins' man
agement. The engineer, Milo Games, " no
was shot by one of the robbers, belonged
in Washington, Mass, and was employed
on the Boston and Albany railroad the
same time Filkins was.
INCIDENT OF TIE ALBANY ROBBERY.
Twas we'll acquainted with Filkins, and
at the time of the Albany robbery I in
terviewed him about the probable per-
petrator, and his opinions were forwarded
to the Herald. He expressed much SYM
pa thy for Halpine, the messenger, who
was shot, and hoped that the assassin and
robber would be speedily arrested. The
next time ] saw him was when he was
arraigned for the crime himself, and he
apologized in joking way for not fur
nishing me with fuller particulars on the
occasion Of the first interview. If this
correspondence meets his eye, hope he
will furnish the Herald with an anthem
tic denial Of the skeleton story which
comes from the Clinton prison.
Uncle Sam Wants an Old Debt Paid.
And now it looks as if the little Repub-
lie of Venezula was to be put upon the
ragged edge it will be remembered that
Venezuela is indebted to the United States,
the debt having originated in injuries to
some Of our citizens By the Venezuelan
authorities, prior to 1866. The indebt-
edness has been the subject Of special
comment in the messages of the Presi-
dent to Congress, the last in his annual
message of 1873, when he said:
at is apprehended that that govern
ment does not realize the character of its
obligations under that convention. There
is reason to believe, however, that its
hesitancy in recognizing them springs in
part at least from the real difficulty in
discharging them in connection with it's
obligations to other governments. The
expediency of further forbearance on our
part is believed to be worthy Of your
consideration" Since then our minister
to Venezuela has been repeatedly in
structed to urge the payment of deferred
installments, until at last the Venezuela
government has expressed disposition to
do so, but claims the privilege of desig-
mating the particular parties to whom
the money shall be paid. 10 this our
government will not consent. The propo.
sition, apart from other considerations
being contrary to the items of the con-
vention, the Venezuela government will
| be informed of the rejection, Of it's propo.
sition, and unless the money shall be paid
as stipulation requires our minister to
Venezuela will be probably withdrawn.
! A Somnambulisl'sC apers.
On the night of the 18th strange case
of somnambulism occurred at Spring
Lake, Mich, the principal actor beirg a
lad named Robbie, son of David Patter.
son, a prominent lumberman. At about
A. NJ, ncighbor hearing noise, and
fearing burglars, arose, and looking out
Of the window saw what he supposed tc
! L IL -