The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-02
How the Northampton Bank Robbers
Began the New Year.
THEIR JOURNEY TO BOSTON
Both Convicts Refuse to Surren-
der Their Plumber.
ANXIETY OF THE NERS


YORK bank breakers whose latest effort WAS the rob-
berry OF tho Nor hampton Bank OF 81 500 900 In money
and negotiable securities. ebrated the advent OF
1878 by commencing career OF twenty years. near
ceraton at nard labor IN the Massachusetts State
Prison. Their crime, Committed two yours ago this
month. together with the Attending circum-
stances and subsequent events OF two trials.
was one OF the most remarkable Of It's class
The robbery was committed on the night or the 27th
OF January 1876 when the entered the house
OF Cashier Whittescy masked and, under cover Of
pistols pcrs uadcd him 10 repair to tho bank unlock
the vaults and surrender tho contents The cashier
was then conducted home aud, together with his
family securely bound aud gagged, when the robbers
made good their escape from tho quiet ana sleeping
town. II was long time Ueforc any trace
had but at length Scott aud Dunlap
were arrested through tho efforts OF some New York
detectives who put the track OF them through
associate OF the robbers Edison, who turned
States evideace secured their and his
own escape. THIS Edson should be explained, prob
ably conceived the idea OF the robbery upon lorna
ton OF the bank and premises which he game! soma
months before while acting In the capacity OF
cnanic IN repairing the locks OF the vaults.
JUSTICE
The offenders Arst tried on the charge of en-.
terng the cashcrs house, instead OF robbing the
bank the latter crime being regarded the grave
house and invites life sentence against sentences OF
twenty years for breaking and ropbing n bank. Ex-
ceptons taken durng the trial anu sustained by
tho Supreme Court, but immediately upon this the
accused triod and convicted Of the bank rob-
berry, and the twenty years which they com.
mcnced today has been tho righteous consequence.
STIRRING SENTIMENTS FROM AN IMPARTIAL JUDGE.
OF course there were exceptions taken the late
trial, in the frst but they were all overrued by
Judge Rockwell when he passed the full sentence OF
the law. "rho prisoners have been convicted" OBJ
served the Court 'by jury and by competent testi-
mony. The question OF new trial has boen care.
fully considered ana reason found for II. Nearly
two years have elapsed since tho crime was com.
mitted. The only which tho State has for pun
shing such offences Is b. Imprisonment 1t is neces-
sary that men possessed of tho ability aud skin to
commit such crimes as this shall be put In position
where they cannot exercise their ability and skill SO
that other persons who may be tempted 10 follow
their criminal lead may DO deferred by their
punishment Our prisons are managed the
humane plan, the best that q ChrIst,an civil
! ization can devise. Tho interests OF justice,
however require that the certainty and speedincss
| punishment for crime shall be assured. And IL ts
difficult to conceive how any prosecuting officer Gun
WISH p0stponement OF sentence in this case. eau
not SEQ It am an instrument in tho hands OF the
law and carry out IT'S dictates. Will now hear
II the oeendants have anything ~ say why they shall
| not be- sentenced" ~~
shook their heads slightly, Scott letting word
"nothinsn slip from his mouth in so Iow that
| II could hardly be heard, and Dunlap utlering no
| sound Then there another silence, more on.
| pressive than the Irst and then the Judge HANDED
the sentence OF orc day OF solitary confinement and
| twenty years OF hard labor upon each man. The
verdict was expected by all including tho prisoners
themselves, who led off to the jail 10 await
their sporation today 10 tho prison from when u
is not likely they will emerge until New Years morn.
| Ing oil 1898. 80
| The PLUMBER STILL HELD BY rHE ROBBERS
Ono remarkable feature OF this robbery Is That the
proceeds OF still retained by the prisoners or
has been turned up nor Is 1t likely TO be unless
accused are granted r iu pardon which, Of course
Gus private dcpositors who lost heavily by the
affair, were anxious for some sort OF a compromise
looking a restoration OF tho funds expense
Of u mitigation OF sentence. but the sudden action
OF Judge Rockwell in pronounc,n: sentence cut short
other sufferers feel sore over the matter but the
general community can hardly fail to rejoice at It ns
signal triumph Of justice over the temptations Of
large private interests.
PREPARING PRISON.
Warden Chamberlain, accompanied by one oil his
Prison to-day. Efforts TO keep the iact from the
public were unsuccessful, and the consequences was q
Northampton bu, at every station between that town
ana Springfield The prisoners, anticipating an
early removal, had scnt to New York for their
friends up and make them parting
visit In response TO the summons Scouts wife made
her appearance early yesterday morning, aud was
from the Jail beng accorded tho extraordinary
privilege oi spending the night with HIM IN his cell
night with him in his cell sheriff Langley II should
DO explained Is very tender hearted, aud II Is SAID
that several years he allowed OF his prisoners
who belonged IN Northampton, to spend the night
with his family and taking advantage OF the courtesy
the murdered his wlie and IS now serving . lie
sentence IN tho State Prison Tor that crime.
FINAL PARTING.
The parting between Scott and WIFE, after the
former mad beon ironed to his companion prisoner.
vprv "a iuvQ
IN tears. sheriff Langley also exhibited little
emotion when the moment OF parting came, and tho
prisoners expressed their regret leaving tho
Iion tor oncwhcre the discipline Will probably be
rigid Outside the JAIL at the depot and the inter
When the prisoners were brought out they wore
dressed IN the extreme Of fashion, ana their appear.
ancc Indicated them to be anything put tho villains
TRYING TO DISCOVER THE PLUMBER
When they mad taken their seats III the cars tho
| prisoners were allowed by Warden Chamberlain TO
| converse with whom they pleased Among those who
talked earnestly with them were several officers OF the
bank ana others who lost securities by the robbery.
They appealed TO them plaintively and At length to
disclose the hiding place OF certain bonds promising
In return to use their Influence obtain nm carly par.
dom Both Of tic prisoners treated all such proposi
with riaicule and contempt, rcmarkng that If
tho victims bad accepted their proposition OF $500
year ago they would have Dcen better or but that
II 100 late TO entertain any proposition what
| ever looking to restitution.
| DEFIANT THE LAST.
1--WE arc very sorry Tor you, remarked Scott, sar.
cas.ically ou' we think we will hang on to what wo
! have got"
There were seven men engaged In tho robbery, and
an effort also made by the bank officials 10 obtain
| the whereabouts OF those still at large.
"Do you take US for damned o0lsY' was tho quick
| response that Scott made to this proposition.
For nearly hour the bank people latoreu with tho
| prisoners, but they were uniformly mot with con-
tempt ana riaicuie. The only information which they
FURNISHED was the hiding place OF the 81, 500 900 Of
| plunder during the month following the robbery.
They stated that It undor tho teachers platform
In certain school house. and Subsequent cxamina-
| lion showed their story 10 be correct The school
houses was several times searched, bat the officers
| failed TO look In tho right place.
| CROWDS ALONG THK ROUTE.
Al every station along the line, from Northampton
to Springfield there crowds gathered aud ut
latter city Of several thousands.
here the prisoners looked anxously around, and II
was surmised by the officers In charge Of them that
| they anticipated effort at rescue Nothing OF tho
kind attempted. however, and the prisoners we're
| quickly transferred to tho Boston train.
Now Tor the first time bev betrayed realizing
OF their situation and both wept freely the tram
| moyad out OF tho depot During the hundred milo