Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-05-21
No Questions Asked.
HOW THE MILFORD, N. II. BANK bonds
WERE RECOVERED.

Deu ny SIX nldskcu men, WHO enteTeu tne
house of the cashier, Mr.. Frederick r..
Sawyer, gagged that gentleman, and after
closeting his family and putting a strong
| guard over it, led him to the bank by the
aid OF rope about the neck, and compel
led him TO open the safes. Recently the
most of the stolen property has been re-
turned by the thieves for a consideration,
incorrect accounts of which transaction
have been printed in some of the papers.
From Mr.. William b. Towne, the Presi-
| deut of the bank, who was the person ac-
lively engaged on behalf of the institution,
the Nashua IN. H. Telegraph has obtain
ed the true story OF the negotiations, and
we reproduce ii below:
One day about two months after the rob-
berry, Mr.. 1owne received a dispatch from
an independent detective in Baltimore, in
which the sender said that he had informa-
ton concerning the stolen property, and re-
questCd an interview. To tins he paid no
attention. a little later he received sec
Ond dispatch, in which the detective eX-
pressed so much confidence that Mr..
Towne thought there might be something
in II, and consequently lie replied that he
would he at well-knOwn hotel in that city
at a stated time. He accordingly went to
Baltimore, and shortly after he had regis
tered he was cordially greeted by the de-
tective. After few commonplace re-
marks the detective referred TO the nature
of the business upon which conference was
desired, stated that it would be better 10
seek a place where they would not be inter-
rupted, and invited him TO his office. He
was conducted TO place not far away, ush-
cred through a reception room on the first
floor of the building to an Office about IA
by feet in dimensions, where he found
desk in one end of the room, table in the
other, chairs, aud other furniture. This
was in the evening. Mr.. Towne presumes
that the detective, if such was his real avo-
cation, eyed him sharply with a view of
determining his character and the amount
of nerve he possessed, and he is certain
that he returned the compliment for the
same purpose. The two men sat down in
easy and uneoncerned chat.
There was no bombastic bantering as has
been reported, and no inciVilites in word
or accent. After some preliminary con-
versalion in which Mr.. Towne was inform
ed that the speaker obtained his informa-
tion concerning the bonds from an attorney
who was negotiating for client, he was
asked if the bank would pay SAC, 900 or $5O,-
900 to recover the property that had been
stolen. Mr.. Towne replied in guarded
statement that "the bank would pay some
thing for the recovery of the contents Of the
vault "Where are the bonds?" asked
Mr.. Towne. "I don't know" was the reply.
The interview lasted about an hour and
half, and in it was accomplished the sound
ing of each other very thoroughly. As
they were about to separate, the detective
said, "In the course of the night think /
can get a schedule of the property. Will
you meet me at this Office at 10 o'clock to-
morrow morning?" II will" replied Mr..
Tewne. The two men then separated.
At 10 o'clock the next morning Mr..
Towne was prompt to meet his engage
ment. He found his man waiting to re-
ceive him. A schedule had been prepared
and he was Invited to examine it at his
leisure. lie did 50, thoroughly, and after
satisfying himself that the property did
not belong TO the bank said "If this is a
correct schedule the bonds are not ours"
There was short pause. "Then there is
nothing more to be said' added Mr.. Towue.
The detective acknowledged as much, ex-
pressed his disappointment and hiuted
that he would try again. The two men
parted, and Mr.. Towue came home and re-
ported to the directors of the bank, and af-
ter conference il was agreed that in all
probability something more would be
heard from the ostensible detective. 1t ap-
peared like matter OF dollars and cents !;
| as though no positive Information was 10
be obtained whereby the law could reach
the villains, and that the interview had
simply served both sides with a knowledge
of whom they were dealing with. 1t was
agreed to keep quiet and wait for further
Developments.
About a week after Mr.. Towne's return
| he received letter in which nothing definite
| or eliminating was stated, and which con-
| tanned the Interrogation, "Do you mean
business7" Shortly after another telegram
was received requesting another Interview.
A consultation was had, he became satis-
| fled that he was on the right track, and ar
| ranging as a matter of prudence, with his
| family as to what place 1t could track him
should ii happen that he twas missing"
| again went TO Baltimore. He arrived in
| the morning, and was met at the hotel as
| before. He again went TO the detective Of
| flee, and was in consultation without being
| interrupted or annoyed until IL O'clock
| This interview was unlike the first in ma
ny respects. "Have you the money ?"
was the detectives first inquiry. NO."
was the answer, IT have only enough for
my travelling expenses" The detective
| then showed som0 shrewd diplomatic de-
pertinent, and while he was not particular
| ly uncivil, he accused Mr.. Towne of dOub-
| 10 dealing, and an endeavor to trap him
while he was making an honest effort to
render him service. For the first time the
| latter was a little nervous and anxious to
return to the hotel. He saw that the STRAIT
| agem was to learn whether or not he had
| given information to the police, the public
or individuals, whereby detection might
| follow. Satisfying himself ON this point,
| he proceeded to an inquiry concerning how
large a SUN of money would he paid for
| the bonds. Mr.. Towne evaded the ques-
| tion. He thought the sum demanded
| sc, 600 or $50, ,000-toO great a sacrifice, and,
moreover, his confidence had become so
shaken in the detective that he augured
| that he was an imposter. He closed the in
terview abruptly, returned TO his hotel, de-
| termined to abandon the search fer the
| property in this direction and return home.
At6 o'clock that evening the detective
| called upon him at the hotel and solicited
another interview. Mr.. Towne told him
nothing would probably come of it, but as
he urged the matter he complied. "How
much will you gveS" was the first
| where the previous interview took
| place. The President declined Ia make an
| offer, but would entertain proposition.
| This interview was more satisfactory than
| either OF the previous ones. lie nearly sat
| istied MIR. TOwue that he could obtain the
bonds, aud made some propositions he
agreed to submit to the directors of the
bank. The interview lasted several hours,
and at ii o'clock that night Mr.. Towno took
the train north.
Upon arriving at home he laid the matter
| before the directors and those whose inter
ests were identical. At the conclusion of a
careful canvass of the matter, the PROPOSE
tion of the detective was accepted, and the
time for the transfer arranged. He had moi
hitherto considered himself in danger, the
detective, If such was his calling, having
inspired him with confidence to th @ degree
that he set out upon his journey with nc
fear or thought Of what results might fol.
low.
In Baltimore he was again met at the no
tel, and in the night time, conducted 10 the
detectives Office. After the usual courte.
sizes, Mr.. Towne, who had got the idea thai
they were to go somewhere, he knew moi
where, to obtain the stolen property, in
quired, "Where shall we go2" This wal
the detectives cue, and he improved it.