The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-07-01
A MYSTERY SOLVED.
Arrest OF the burglars Who Robbed
tbe Manhattan Hank in
New York.

The whole story Of the Manhattan
bank robbery has st last come out
through the confession OF one Of the
burglars. On Saturday night last,
Captain Byrnes and his detectives, OF
New York, who have worked unceas-
ingly on the case, arrested Henry
eileen, Patrick Slevin and William kel-
ley on a charge OF being implicated in
the robbery, whereby money and secu-
rites worth nearly three million dol
lars were stolen on the night OF Octo-
ber -, 1873 One OF them has confess
ed the whole plot TO Captain Byrnes.
The robbery was planned more than
three years ago. 4 burglar known as
Little Tracy" first concerted the
scheme aud organized band OF burglars
10 rob the bank Ii was broken mp,
however. by the arrest and conviction
of most OF the members Of the gang for
other crimes. Then be organized a
second gang, in which we're Jim. Hope,
George Howard, John Dobbs, Jim
Brady and others. They also had in
leagne with them man who was en-
ployed as wGtchman al odd hours in
the bank. Two attempts were made by
this gang 20 rob TIE bank, but each
failed through the inability of the
watchman 20 meet his engagements.
This gang also broke mp. But Hope,
thoroughly convinced OF the feasibility
OF his scheme, lost no time ia reorgan-
izing his forces. Dobbs, big Kid,
who was on foot again, aud others
equally skilled and desperate joined
him, and work began in earnest. One
Sunday morning, when the friendly
watchman was on duty in the bank,
Hope was let into the building and
used his opportunity 10 examine thor
oughly the vaults. The next Sunday
he returned and taught the watchman
how 10 use wax in taking impressions
OF a keyhole. The watchman, Patrick
Slevin, was an apt scholar, and soon
returned a lump OF wax, which the
burglar had brought, with an impress
sion, from which the latter was able TO
make key for the outer street door on
Blocker street, which was fouud 10 flt,
and was put by for use. This attempt
also failed for want Of time, but an en-
trance TO the vault containing the safes
, was effected. Eight months later nego-
tiations were again opened with the
watchman, Slevip. Finally the job was
put up for Sunday morning, October
~, aud IN il were Jimmy Hope, Kelly
aud Dobbs, together with the night
watchman, Slevin. II was thought that
| Slevin would have charge OF the bank
on that night. but an accident frustrat-
cd H. The gang resolved, however, to
carry out their plans after the night
watchman had left and when the day
I watchman came on. How well il has
been carried out every one know, and
nearly three million dollars we're car
ried away. Billy Kelly stood guard
over the manacled janitor. lie gave
/ them the combination 30 the safe, be-
\ ing in mortal terror of bis life.
Detectives went hard TO work and
after long search John Bobbs and the
I younger Hope were arrested. Watch
man Slevin was Swallowed early and
late and was found 10 be drinking hard
and spending money lavishly. He was
arrested n few days ago, and finally
confessed the whole plot to Captain
Byrnes, and Billy Kelly was arrested
on his return from the Jerome Park
races.
Sleyin says that each member OF the
gang was assessed 5000 alter getting
their money hare, which was sent 10
Washington 10 defeat the bill introduc-
ed in Congress to duplicate the stolen
bonds. as u it passed il would be diff
cult 10 negotiate the originals. Mean
while the various town bonds we're ne
go.iated, and Slavin got $1,000 as his
share therefrom, and Jimmy Hope
went 10 Washington 10 have the bill
stopped. Kelley when arrested denied
his guilt. but when confronted with
Slevin he burst into a fit of swear.
ing and said, ''the bank had 10 pay q
dividend on June I and 10 do II would
have 90 come 10 terms aud settle with
us." There are three more members OF
the gang yet at large. but they are
known, and will soon be arrested.