Litchfield enquirer., 1881-07-14

900 wasin coupon and registered bonds, $500, 900 in stocks and $12 900 in bank bills. Of the bonds some $35, 900 were in government coupon bonds and easily negotiable. There was a second safein the vault containing with other securities about $100,000 in bonds be- longing to Smith College for Women; but the of this safe the gang had forgot ten to get from Whittlesey and no attempt to open it was made Having hidden their booty part of the burglars took wagon in waiting and rode to Springfield, twenty miles away, where they were joined by their associates who had come down by rail on an early train. The whole party then escaped to New York by different routes.
 The shock to the community here when the news of the robbery spread can be realized on- lY by those who know how small a matter will excite 8 New England town. The people passed through the three stages of incredulity, terror and mysteries. For days the bank was by gaping ere wd, and people came in from miles around to look at the now famous building and hear the story of the rob- bery, Edson was sent for to open the locks, his eomplicity in the crime not having been even then suspected. It took twelve hours to reach the, inner safe, and for that time the success of the robbers was doubted When the magnitude of the robbery was realized and the first shock was over the bank officers took prompt steps to detect the burglars. Printed
 lists of the numbers of the stolen bonds were distributed in every banking house in New
 York city with notice that the firms which bought the stolen securities would be held re- sponsible, and lists were also sent to every money centre in Europe Lynx-eyed detec- tivef were set by the dozen on the track of the burg lars, and, as it had been reported from some soqrce that the bonds were hidden in the town, every street was watched for two
 weeks day and night. Suspicious looking strangers were shadowed, and every suspected hiding place was searched. Here, too, comes in a singular incident of the crime. With ob
 yiOus lack of caution the robbers had left in the upper part of the schoolhouse where they had been accustomed 10 meet bits Of food, a
 lantern and other marks of their profession. These discoveries led to most rigid search of the Building. Partitions were knocked apart, and every part of the structure, save one, that could possibly be used as hiding place was explored. In that single spot left unsearched the bonds were actually concealed. At one end of the lower rooms was s small platform on which the younger scholars used to stand to reach blackboard The robbers had taken up board, placed the stolen booty inside and fastened back the timber with screws. The heads of tne screws however, they covered
 with putty, which had been painted the exact color of the paint on the platform. The searchers examined the board, but the un- broken line of paint threw them off the scent and they overlooked the plpnder when actual ly standing within few inches of it. After the first alarm and general search were oyer one of the robhere returned to Northampton by night, entered the sohoolhouse, secured the bonds and took them to New York. When
 later events disclosed that all the securities
 for which great reward had been offered had been for many weeks within easy reach of anybody in Northampton the chagrin here
 may be conceived. sra as Id .sl.'a-
 The story of the detection of the criminals
 is scarcely less strange than the details of
 their crime. After the robbery Edson fell out
 with his confederates. They had refused him his share of the booty, accused hlm of treach- cry, and feeling sure that he would not dis close crime in which he had been SO impor tant an actor, they desplsed his threats. He as we'll as Scott and Dunlap were closely watched by Pinkerton's detectives, and It may to turn states evidence Whatever the mo. tive he was induced to disclose the secret. Scott and Dunlap were arrested .on the cars at Philadelphia by Pinkerton's detectives, and Scott incautiously admitted the ownership of a hand bag found under his seat and containing burglars tools. The two criminals were hur- ried secretly through New York and to North hampton without giving opportunity for legal delay at the metropolis. In due season their trial came on. They were indicted for enter ing the bank and also Whittlesey's house, and on both indictments were found guilty and sentenced totwenty years in the Massachusetts State Prison at Conpord. The chain of evil dence which secured their conviction was singularly strong. Marks of tools found in Their possession were traced at Whittlesey's house and at the bank. Both robbers were also identified by MF. Whittlesey and others. The handwriting of Dunlap was traced in the addresses of letters proposing compromise with the bank. although the body of the let .ers were in characters printed with a pen. Finally the states evidence of Edson pointed to the guilt of the prisoners, and all the stress that eloquent counsel could lay on the bad character of the testimony of de- 'ectives and confederates in crime failed to ward off the penalty. Both prisoners after sentence admitted their guilt.
 Inthe interval of four years which has elapsed since these doings other picturesque events nave taken place. Investigations by detectives showed that probable accomplices in the great 'ebbery, beside Corners, wereJamesDraper and he famous 'Red" Ieary. The escapades of Leary and Corners with the officers of the law would alone suffice for a thrilling story of hardihood and cunning. It is related
 or instance, that detectives years ago arrested Leary, whom they found in his shirt sleeves. They covered him with their pistols, and Lea y quietly surrendered, only asking that he oe allowed to put on his coat. Bring me my coat" said he to his wife, land be sure you get the light one" She brought the
 fight one. As he drew it on he thrust his hands into the side pockets, drew out pistol
 n each hand, covered the officers and escaped. Leary, Corners and Draper were all arrested for their part in the Northampton crime. Leary dug his way out from the back of his cell in Ludlow Street Jail, and Corners, one pleasant day, cooly walked out the front door 'f the same elysium for evil doers Both were afterward retaken, and in spite of trick ,ry and collusion sent with Draper to North ampton, where they were put on trial some
 hree months ago. Just at this point Scott md Dunlap re-entered on the scene. Desper- ate with four years of confinement they were willing to do anything to amelorate their lot ,r give them even shadowy chance for par ion. They threatened, unless the stolen se- ,urities were returned. to give states evil fence and convict the whole gang. The
 hreat was successful. The stolen securities,
 ess about $150, 900 which had been marketed, were returned. Edson, although he had pre- 7iously testified against Corners. convenient
 y lost his memory, the case against the three ,flsQners fell through, and the curtain drop ,ed on the four years drama of crime. The ,ank stopped dividends for awhile, and the
 tock fell to par, but is now back at it's old figures. Ei Sa 1 sa a
 1t is not strange that the peculiar end of
 his record of burglary left justifable suspic- ons that the bank officers had compounded
 he felony, and citizens of Northampton particularly those who have no interest in the
 toien bonds--mutter these suspicious pretty oudly. The bank officers, however, stoutly ieny the charge and account for the return of
 he securities by the threats of Scott and Dunlap. This is branch of the subject en which public light will probably never be. hrown. It only remains to- speak of legal, decision of import in connection with the
 heft. Among the stolen securities were of Ohio and Mississippi Raj lroad 'onds coupon, but with the principal regis.
 cred. These tue thieves did not dare to ne-