The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-01-05

N.
They walked over 20 Folkestone, reach
ing there before the boat came In.
They walked about the pier till she ar.
rived, when Chapman and his assistant
left the Office for the pier. The con-
federates hurried TO the door--fortune
fhvored them--it was not even locked.
While Pierce watched outside, Agar
entered, hurriedly took an impression
OF the key and then both left the Office
before the return of the stafion-master.
They hurried TO Dover, and back 10
London the same day.
Upon their return Agar had some
blank keys made, and began To file
them down 10 the size OF the Impression
he had taken. II was weary work.
He commenced at Pierce's, but. having
made up an old quarrel with his mis-
tress, Fannie Kay, he hired house at
Cambridge Villas, and there finished
his task. A new actor now made his
appearance on the scene; Burgess was
made acquainted with all that had been
done. "It Is q good job" said he,
s.and l will do my best to help you
The next step was to fit the keys 10 the
locks Of the bullion-chest, and Agar
made some seven or eight trips with
Burgess in the van before he succeeded
in so doing.
A year had now passed in constant
preparation, and, in order to secure a
fitting reward for their toll and trouble,
the confederates determined to wait
until at least 200 pounds went down
the line. The final arrangements were
made. Pierce and Agar went TO a shot
tower beyond Hungerford suspension
bridge and purchased 200 pounds OF
shot, which they carried to Cambridge
Villas in eight-pound and four pound
check bags. The smaller packets were
put in four courier-bags made of drab
leather, which buckled high up around
the body and were concealed by short
capes. A small black leather bag. large
enough to admit bar Of bullion Of the
standard size, was also provided for
Tester, who was to 60 on to Redhill,
there receive part Of the gold, and con-
vey it to London Every thing being
IN readiness for the robbery, Agar and
Pierce met nightly at London bridge to
watch for their opportunity. For
week there was no chance, but on the
eighth day they heard from Tester that
there was large consignment soon TO
be seLt down the line, though he could
not ascertain the precise day.
The friends buckled on their courier
bags, took two large bags" dunn
mics in each Of which was a smaller
one, with quantity Of hay, and, hiring
a cab, drove in the evening to st.
Thomas Street. Agar got out and
walked toward the station; Burgess
came to the door and wiped his face.
II was a preconcerted signal, and he
and Pierce purchased their tickets and
hurried 70 the train. The latter put his
luggage in charge Of Burgess, and got
into first-class carriage, while Agar
walked up and down the platform until
the train started, then jumped unob-
served into the van, where he crouched
down into q corner. and Burgess threw
his apron over him.
No sooner was the train fairly under
way than the energetic Agar CON-
operations. He opened one
safe and took out wooden box fastened
with nails and iron bands and sealed.
He had provided himself with pincers,
lockwood wedges, sealing-wax, and
taper. He quickly pried open the box,
took out four gold bars, put one in
Testers bag and three in the carpet
bags. He then filed it up with shot,
and sealed it. By this time
The train had reached Redhill. Tester
made his appearance. Burgess
handed him his bag, and he started
back for London. Agar then
opened some large safes, and several
small ones, known as Californians.
Having secured all he thought he and
Pierce could carry, he filled the boxes
with shot, closed and sealed them, and
them 10 the safes. The debris
was swept up, and when the train reach
ID Folkestone, Pierce and Agar buckled
ID their courier-bags and took the va
lie out Of Burgess van. The safes
we're taken from the train at Folkestone,
Dut the confederates remained on board
ill they reached Dover, where they put
up 1t the Dover Castle Hotel The
waiter asked them il they wanted beds.
= No." said Agar, " we 20 back to Lon
Ion by the 2 .. m. train" He then
> aIked to the pier and threw all his
ools into the sea.
After supper they walked to the rail-
way, and on the port.r asking TO see
heir tickets they presented the Ostend |
,nes, which they had procured. In this
hey were somewhat overshrewd, and |
nearly brought about their own detec-
ION, for the porter, surprised at the
light Of the tickets and bags, said that |
10 luggage had passed through the
;ustom house that day, and he sup
,0sed that he ought to call |
he Inspector. "No," answer
ID Agar, I've came yesterday" and
ae closed the porter's eyes by slipping
sovereign into his hand, and they