St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-27
GONE ASTRAY.
The Messenger and Assistant Book
keeper of the Peoples Bank
Gets Away With s6,O21 and Flees to Parts
Unknown.

report was circulated in banking circles last
Monday to the effect that Edward Mason, the
messenger and assistant bookkeeper of the
Peoples Bank of st. Paul. had suddenly leyanted
or skipped out with about $4,000 of the bank 8
money
The rumor was not authenticated until yester-
day, when it became known that Mason was &C.
tually robber to the extent named, and the
police authorities were informed that he was an
absconder and fugitive from justice. Immedi-
ate steps were taken to effect his capture, and as
1t is thought that he is in Manitoba his arrest
will no doubt be readily accomplished.
Young Mason, who is only sixteen years Of
age, has been in the employ of the Peoples
bank for about year. The robbery took place
last Saturday after banking hours. He remained
after the cashier had left, and proceeded to finish
his days work, the head book keeper, Mr..
Swinton, having left the utsde doors of the
vault open to accommodate him, and
Mason closed it when he got through.
The vault was not opened again until
Monday morning when the loss vas discovered. 1t
is thought that after the departure of Cashier
Rittenhouse. and before the return of Mr..
one OF the cash drawers in the
inside compartment Of the vault
and took therefrom the amount stated
In order to do this he must have known the COM
binatlon OF the vault secret which it sup
posed was known only to the cashier Of the bank.
Mason has heretofore been regarded as a steady,
upright young man and the news of his fall from
grace will be heard with regretby large number
OF friends. His family reside in this city
and are eminenty respectable people
In departing it is supposed that he induced
Charles Parker, constant chum, about his own
age, to go with him, as the former has not been
seen since Saturday. Mason is sixteen years
0f Pnaf oh hso,I, lr~%,@ -, ,1no
plexion, gray eyes and brown hair; he was
dressed in blue flannel suit and wore o white
straw hat.
Parker is eighteen years of age, five feet seven
inches in height, fair complexion, light brown
hair, and wore black cutaway coat, brown
pants and Derby hat
INTERVIEW WITH MIR. RITTENHOUSE.
GLOBE representative called upon Mr.. c. E.
Rittenhouse, the cashier of the bank, last even
ing, to ascertain the bauk version Of the rob-
berry.
Mr.. Rittenhouse said the boy Mason was very.
highly recommended to them by prominent
and respectable merchant, and had been in the
bank for ABOUT year as assistant book keeper
and messenger. Since the robbery he
had heard that the boy has been going in bad
| company, but prior to this development he had
| supposed him entirely honest and trustworthy.
He lived with his mother, Mrs. Drebel (she hav-
ing married second time) on Igehart street,
and was supposed to be correct in his habits
Mr.. Rittenhouse said that within the vault there
are two cash compartments or safes, with
different combination locks, one being used
| to keep the reserve funds Of the bank and the
| other for the current counter cash. He did not
| know that the boy knew either combination and
it is a mystery how he learned it. He (Ritten-
| house) closed his cash Saturday afternoon, az
usual and placed it in the vault, locking the COM
bination. The outer door of the vault was left
open for the bookeepers to put in their
books and close when they COM
| pleted their work. Mr.. Swinton, the
head book keeper went out, leaving the boy,
! Mason, at work upon the books. Mr.. Swlnton
| found that young Mason had put up the books
| and closed and locked the outer doors of the
| vault. The vault was not again opened until
| Monday morning, when the robbery was dis
coz red
| How much money did he get?' was the very
natural query.
.'He obtained $6,O21," was Mr. Rittenhouse's
| reply. .The evening papers give false and ex-
| aggerated account Of the loss but that is the
| exact figure. He only opened the counter cash
compartment and pretty nearly cleaned that out
most of the money was in bills and gold, but he
took $3.50 in half dollars, and left little silver
which was evidently too cumbersome to carry.
| tie left the drafts and checks and papers, dis
| turbng nothing but the cash.
| Mr.. Rittenhouse said that they had learned
since the affair that he proposed the robbery to o
! companion three weeks ago. He went home to
his supper after getting the money, and left
| about p. m., since which time
| ne has not been seen and his wherea-
bouts are unknown. His mother is greatly
| distressed by the crime, but seeks to CONCEAL
nothing, and Is aiding in the efforts to find the
evening
| the bank officials had been informed by detect,
| ives of his loose habits, Mr.. Rittenhouse char
acterzed as absurdedy false. II they had had the
slightest idea of his unreliability, such an oppor
| tunity as he had to commit crime would not
| have been afforded him.