Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-02-02
The Northampton Bank Robbery
MILLION DOLLARS STOLEN.

!
! On Wednesday night Of last week, about midnight,
seven men, disguised, entered the house of John
| Whiitlesey, cashier Of the northampton National
Bank and speedily took possession Of it, Mr.
WhlItesey was awakened By the grasp OF a mans
hand upon his throat and his wife, lying by his
side was aroused by the hands of another man at
hct throat Therhands were quickly handcuffed
but thoy were assured that II they did as they
were told no harm would come 10 them. Mr. Whit
lesey was taken to a lower room, and one Of the
gang held pistol to his head and another stand
ing by with pencil and piece Of paper they
demanded his keys and proceeded to question him
IS to the combination Of the locks Of the vault
doors Here their GOODNESS and skill were dis
played in an extraordinary degree Mr. Whit
tcsey was told to answerc correctly and as rapidly
as possible the numbers Of the combination on
the outer vault door and the inner vault door and
Of the locks ON the inner safes In the vault lie
answered. but gave false combinations in each
case. No sooner had he gone through the list,
than the man who had taken down the numbers
ordered him to repeat them This, Of course he
was unable 70 do, and it thus being evident that
he had fasified he was then obliged to give the
true combinations, being prompted to haste and
the part Of the burglar who had the pistol. Al
though forced to give the true combination OF the
lock, Mr.. Whttlesey assured the burglars that it
wonld he Of little use TO Them as he had but one
Of the four keys necessary to move the combina-
ton of the outer vault door After getting the H.
formation they desired from Mr. Whittesey, they
gagged him as they had previously gagged and
bound the other members OF the household his
wife, servant girl and visitor, Miss Matte c.
White, of Williamsport, Pa as well "a three per-
sons In the other part of the house-T. Il. Cutler,
lis wife, and Maria Benton, an invalid boarder,
making seven persons in ALL Waiting till four
o'clock, the time at which the two or three watch
men Northampton possesses, including one whose
special duty is 10 look after the safety Of the
banks, were accustomed to go home five burglars
proceeded TO the bank, which they found no
difficulty in entering. When the last burglars,
they who were left on guard, finally left Mr.
Whit,lesey's house, about five O'Clock, they LETT
all the inmates gagged and bound; but Mr.. Whit
tlesley and Miss White soon succeeded in getting
rid Of their gags, and by their calls attracted
passers by, who came in and released them. While
waiting at the house the robbers took the precai-
Iion to take Mr. whittleseys gold watch, worth
two hundred and fifty dollars, and also what
money they could fnd-no very large sum One
OF the men wore for a mask half a leg of pair Of
mems drawers, with holes cut In II for the eyes,
and left II behind In his haste to depart. Inc
thieves secured as booty about one million dollars
worth Of securities belonging 10 special deposit
tors, and made their escape; and up 10 tins ume
there Is no trace of them.