The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-03
PETERSBURG.

n,nTy-DEATH FROM AN OVERDOSE OF !.AUD-
~.,.u,SsrAI, STATIsTICS-oTHER NAT
TIERS OF INTEREST.
,cn-,cs,ondence OF the Richmond D'spatcit.i
''''> JANUARY 2. 1877.
Tho community was startled this morn
;rr hy the report that the Bank OF Peters
h,,rg had been robbed OF Sl6, 700 by one OF
tha Clerks employed in the Citizens Bank.
TIE renorts nd first were not credited ny
many. and were consequently whispered
aho,t in the most cautious and careiui man,
ner. but they were subsequently con
when an officer OF the bank appeared Deiore
the Mayor and swore out Warlah. ~, ."S
arrcSt q; Samuel II. Thorburn, charged
with the theft Of the money. AS well as
80, Ia,r, the facts in the case are about rs
follows:
The Bank o; Petersburg, OF which Judge
y " Jones, ,Jr.. is president, has no vault
in its clearinghouse, and has been In the
habit every afternoon after the close OF bust
ness Of depoSiting its money and Taluables,
locked up in a box, in the vault OF the Cltl-
zens Bank, which is one OF the best in the
CITY, This was done rs usttal on Saturday
afternoon, and rs usual the box was depos-
tied inside the vault but outside OF the bur
clar-proof apartments. These two burglar
nroof apartments contain the money and
yaluahIcs OF the Citizens Bank, and can
only be opcncd-onc by the cashier and the
other by the teller.
:. II. Thorburn was employed as book
keeper. his duty being to keep individual
accounts. His business commences at the
close OF banking hours. On Saturday,
being the last day Of the year, he was de-
tanned ut work later than usual. Inc
cashier left the bank between and
he would be detained an hour longer at his
books. 1t was understood, OF course, that
when his work was finished Thorburn
would place his books in the vault, lock the
door. and then lock the door Of the bank.
This was all done; but that was the last
seen of Thorburn. 1t is supposed the
money must have been taken before
o'clock on Saturday evening.
Yesterday was a legal holiday. and the
banks were not open for business; but, as
usual on the first day Of the quarter, the.
committee OF the Citizens Bank met at their
bank and examined all their books and
money. found everything correct, and so
reported Thorburn was absent, and ames-
scngcr was dispatched to his house to in
uuirc after him. He was not there, but no.
thing was thought Of it.
This morning the messenger OF the Bank
Of Petersburg applied for and received his
box, which was closed and buckled with a
leather strap. Nothing was discovered
wrong about it until it was opened at the
bank by the proper officer, when the lock
WAS found to have been broken and the top
priced open. On counting over the funds
the amount OF $4,000 was found missing.
Word to that effect was sent back to the
Citizens Bank. Mr.. Thorburn not yet
having put in an appearance, and no one
being able to find him any where, suspicion
attached TO him rs the guilty party, and &
warrant was sworn out for his arrest. He
is believed to have lett the city on Saturday
night, having on that afternoon told his
family that he had to go way on business
for the bank. What direction he took is
not known.
Mr.. Thorburn is L young man. married.
and has several children. He is member
OF the First Baptist church: has been in
the employment Of the Citizens Bank for
four or five years, and has always borne a
good character. The matter has caused
unhounded surprise and regret.
The Citizens Bank has always received
the money-box OF the Bunk of Petersburg
as a matter OF accommodation, with the
understanding that no responsibility should
be attached to it; and, OF course, will lose
nothing by the robbery. This accommoda-
ton has been extended ever since the latter
bank commenced business.
The loss OF SIG, 700 will, of course, not at
ali affect the credit or standing OF the Bank
Of Petersburg, which has large capital, is
doing fine business, and has just declared
handsome dividend.
Mr. Richard Avery, we'll known citizen
OF Prince George county, died several days
ago from the effects OF an overdose OF lauda-
mum, taken to induce sleep. He had been
suffering from severe nervous attack,
which opium had failed to relieve. He
took some laudanum, swallowing too much,
and died.
Mr.. j. r. Glover, of Brandon church,
died last week OF pneumonia.
There was 4 considerable mutiny among
the negro prisoners OF our jail last night,
but they were oyerpowered and placed in
chains in the dungeon.
Mrs. William b. Irby, aged about seventy
years, died yesterday morning at the resi-
dcnce OF her husband, in Nottoway county
near Blacks and Whites. The deceased was
one of the most highly-cultured as well as
one OF the most hospitable ladies in this
whole section, and was known far and wide
and held in universal esteem. She was
stricken with paralysis on Christmas day,
and fingered unconscious until Sunday.
Captain Samuel Cook, an old and re-
spected citizen Of Prince George, and for
many years harbormaster at City Point, died
on Saturday, after protracted illness.
The internal revenue collections in the
Petcrburg district for the year ending De-
cember 81, 1876, amounted to $685.
392.77-as follows: On spirits, 49,
004.93; on tobacco, 1895, 1929; on
fermented liquors, 1886; banks and bank
ers, S22, 022.24; other articles, 1898. C5; pen
alties, S1,228.26. Excess OF receipts for 1876
over 1875. S25,ll9.72. The collections FROM
tobacco show an increase OF $50, 1855, or
more than ten per cent.
The report of the Auditor shows that the
expenditures Of the city through his Office
for the past year amounted to $111 ,403.
This amount does not embrace the reduc-
ton Of the debt during the year, OF the
payment Of interest.
There were 154 marriages in 1S76--63
white and 81 colored couples.
The mortuary report for. the year shows
go deaths OF whites, $50 OF negroes; total,
$50 .....n
The marine report shows the arrival at
this port during the year of GA vessels,
with tonnage of 45,403.
The number OF cases disposed OF in the
Mayors Court was 1900, and the amount
OF Zines collected $3.50. During the year
there were committed to Jail for felony 81
persons; for larceny, 1903; misdemeanor,
81; breach Of the peace, 42S; tramps, 664;
for lunacy, 13.
The inspections OF tobacco at the several
warehouses in this city for the year aggre-
gated II 500 hogsheads, and the amount OF
loose tobacco sold during the same period
reached over 5000, 900 pounds.