Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-06
The Great Bond Robbery.

. Arrest Of the Thieves and Recovery of the
 Bonds-Chtef Webster and His Detect
 Ives Equal to the Emergency-The
 Property Found Seereted i'm Hot ' house.
 One of the most extensive robberies that has occurred in this city for many years has been ,ferreted out by Chief of Police Webster and his detectives, Brewer and Reilly, and the robbers, who are now in the lookup, are in fair way to be brought to justice. On Tuesday morning the JOURNAL AND COURIER reported an extensive robbery of bonds and stocks from safe in the residence of Elihu Sperry, No. 717 Chapel street. It will be recollected that Charles M. Harland, who was employed by MT. Sperry as servant, was arrested on Monday afternoon on suspi- cion that he was implicated in the robbery. A further investigation was made after Har- lands arrest under orders by Chief Webster. On Tuesday morning Harland asked for an interview with Chief Webster, which was granted, but he still persisted in his innocence. Then Detectives Brewer and Reilly had talk with the prisoner, when he dropped some remarks that threw some light on the affair. Then Chief Webster sent for Mrs. Harland, wife of the accused, who came down at p. m., and after an interview with the Chief she was permitted to see her husband. On returning to the Chiefs office she did not seem much inclined to talk upon the subject, and as but little informa- tion could be gained from her she was dis missed. Harland was then called out, and on the intimation being made to him that his wife had disclosed the whole matter he re- TC hot suffer for somebody else's business" /" He then inquired regarding the pen atty, and said he had been told that it was twenty years in State prison. He then stated that another man was engaged in the rob- bery and that his name was August A. Boden- .schatz employed by E. Malley as gardener, and that he and Bodenschatz concocted the robbery in MT. Malley's greenhouse two weeks ago. He said that the garden CT told him to go home and take an impression of the key of the safe which he did, using piece of soap for the purpose. The gardener made key of tin, which was found to fit exactly. They agreed to rob the safe on Friday night, but Harland slept over. Sunday night was then decided upon as the time for the final consum- nation of their plans, and at 12:3O on Monday morning Harland let his accomplice into the house. Harland then unlocked the safe, took out the bonds and gave them to the
 
 hothouse, where he secreted them. Harland then Cat 2 a. m. ) went to bed.
 Yesterday morning Chief Webster and De- tective Brewer, in company with Harland, went to MT. Malley's greenhouse to search for the bonds The search was unsuccess- full and they returned. The gardener was again interviewed, and he final ly said that if somebody would go with him he would try and find the bonds. Detectives Brewer and Reilly were sent with him, and after search ing for some time Detective Brewer dis covered some fresh earth. which on inves- t1gating, he discovered buried beneath tin can, in which was found a lot of bonds. The search was continued, and in an adjoining hothouse Detective Reilly found, among some empty flower pots, a small tea can, in which were found the remainder of the bonds. When this discovery was made the foolish gardener drop ped upon his knees remarkng, ''Thank God that you have found the bonds. My heart is light, do what you can for me-" The guilty man was then accompanied to his house, when, after an affecting parting inter view with his wife and four children, he was again taken to the police station and the bonds were turned over to Chief Webster. Following is description of the bonds found:
 One $1 ,OOO State of Connecticut; six $1, ,OOO United States bonds one $500 Uni ted States bond; seven $1, 900 Chicago, Mil waukee and St. Paul railroad bonds; l one $f,OOO New Haven and Northampton railroad bond two $1 1000 Middletown and | Air Line railroad bonds; two certificates, ten | shares each, Naugatuck railroad stock, $2,- | 900; four $1 ,O00 New Haven and Derby rail road bonds; two $1, 900 New Haven sewer | age bonds; two $1 ,OOO Hannibal and St. Jo- seph railroad bonds; two $1, 900 New York l Central railroad bonds six $500 Pittsburg Lf<,,,A -5,,- | $1 ,O00 Milwaukee and St. Paul three $1, ,OOO Brooklyn water bonds.
 The only property missing is the gold snuff box, containing about fifty dollars in gold l coin and ten dollars in silver, which was in 8 | linen bag. The entire value of the property l recovered, most of which is rated consider ably above it's par value, is about $5O,O ,OOO. Chief Webster and his detectives are cer- ! tainly entitled to great credit for the prompt ness and efficiency displayed in working up and arresting the guilty parties engaged in one of the most extensive robberies that ever occurred in this city.