Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-21
SHiDOWED.
n.s,ssssd q Robbery without Trace Of
Evidence and Doggsd Day and
NieAt By Detectives.


001pcctcu W CoWpftctty w WV hSs "'s''
express robbery ia the United States, wher
the American Express Company was re
B licycd OF $4,000 IN gold. In two package
Of t35,000 zach. Mr. liaydcn's express
friends, inciud ng The pspers published In
fhe express interest, have often impor
tuned hin to give the story o
the painful ordeal through which h'
passed 10 the public. but he has heretofore
declined 10 do so. Especially has Mr.. Hay
der been besIeged for the statement since
the recent experience Of the Adams Com.
rany on the Frisco and the incarceration oil
Messenger Foihennehsm on suspicion OF
being implicated In the robbery. Last even
ing Globe. Democrat reporter called nj the
residence Of Mr.. HAYDEN, 1909 Ashland
avenue, for ihe purpose Of securing the
statement. He was most courtcously re-
ceived and soon gained the consent OF the
gentleman TO give his experience pub
liciiy. The scene within the cosy home
OF this veteran Of the express service
wss impressive. That II Il model, happy
home was evidenced bv all the surround
ings, and the fsmily circle once seen will
never be forgotten. In the centre OF the
room sat Mr.. Hayden. with heavy, flowing
beard and bair as white as driven snow.
every feature Indicative OF refinement, and
his dark eyes expressive OF the kindly ma.
ture Of the man, bis appearance. actions,
and words Stamping him as nobleman
among men, while near him sat bis inter.
esiing family, forming an ideal picture oil
what home should be.
A HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE.
"Mauy years have passed" said Mr..
HAYDEN, "sInce those days OF sorrow and
suspense, but even now | cannot recall
them without the greatest agitation, rs the
awakening OF the past brings realization
OF the agony underwent while the dark
cloud OF unwarranted suspicion rested over
me. To 1855 l went to Dubuque. Iowa, as
agent for the American Express Company.
AT that time Dubuque was Comparatively
a small place, but IL was one OF the most
important express points In the country.
The Government had an Office there,
aud was receiving large amounts oil
money from the sale OF public
lands. In 1856 they began to ship the trea-
sure to the sub.Treasury 10 New York, al
the average rate OF $4,000 weekly. Tho
money was all in American gold. These
shipments had been successfully made,
without error, from early in the spring OF
1866 until late in September, when one day
/ was startled beyond expression by the re-
ceipt Of telegram stating that two OF the
boxes IN which the gold was shipped, each
containing $4,000. when opened in New
York, were found to contain ieaden bullets
instead OF coin. The high otiici ais OF the COM
pany came on TO Dubuque ut once TO in.
yestigate, naturally suspecting thai the
boxes were made up In Dubuque As
received In New York, with leaden bullets
instead OF gold coins. The officials OF the
sub-Trcasury quickly convinced the ofli-
GERS that the $4,000 had actually been put
In the boxes and shipped. and they next
turned their attention to the Office. which
was in my charge. They ascertained that
the shipment was delivered TO my office be.
tween . and 4 O'Clock in the afternoon, and
rs the east-bound train did not leave until
. A. Nj. II was, Of course. necessary TO re-
tain the boxes in the Dubuque Office over
night. The only place the treasure stopped
from the time IL left the sub-Treasury and
the Dubuque Office was at Chicago, Detroit,
and Buffalo, and destination"
OPENING THE INouIsIrION.
Mr.. Hayden paused for a minute and
then continued "rhe first open evidence
OF suspicion OF the Dubuque Office was
then made manifest. Tue officials turned
their attention In that direction, and every
one connected with the Office was over
hauled, myself among the number. Find
ing no evidence OF the theft having been
committed there, they followed the ship
meBt on East, carefully and rigidly exam
lining every man who had handled the
shipment. When they reached New York
their work had not been rewarded by
any developments. Just prior to the
robbery had arranged to visit
my father and mother in New York
State, and the officials suspecting that !
knew something OF the loss, were perfectly
willing TO let me make the trip. My ac-
tons were closely scrutinized in every
way, and from the first TO the last was
Swallowed by detectives wherever ] went.
l left Dubuque with the officers OF
the company, and went with them to
New York and from there to my fathers. |
went on a visit up into Hponyille, on the
borders q the Adirondacks, and while
there they sent for NE TO come to
Utica, some twenty miles distant.
where went, followed by my shadow. At
Utica underwent an experience similar
TO that OF FotheriDgham IN the Southern
Hotel. While III the Bags House, at
Uuca, In private room, there being pre-
sent A. NJ. c. Smith, Thomas Butterfeld,
William 4. Fargo, and sam. Best-the lat
ter OF whom is now detective in the SER
wee OF the American Express Company
was pushed hard To confess that ! was
guilty OF the crime. / was informed that
they had evidence enough to convict me,
blu. believed that | was not the guilty
party; that Others had planned the robbery
and had Ioped me in. They sought in every
way 10 gain my confidence and confession.
which. beng innocent, could not make.
One day while in the room telegram adj
dressed TO Mr.. Fargo, and purporting TO
come from Henry klp, Of Dubuque, was
opened IN my presence and shown me, IL
read
Proposition from Hayden's counsel to
turn states evidence. Have YOU Hayden
therel"
POLICE STRATEGY.
"who Is 10 make this coniession:" |
aiked.
ITO this query there was no direct an-
swoT, but was led 10 infer that the party
Wa man named Babcock, who ran a store
IN he building in which the Dubuque eX.
riess was located. | informed them that
II he knew anything 1 would like to see
him, ~ l did not. After three or four
hours passed in this way, during which
time ! would have been willing TO have
beeu stretched ON a rack IL | could have
made the gentlemen believe the truth was
telling them, my agony was 30 intense. i
was fnally Informed that they would have
70 ari est me and take me back 70 Dubuque.
To this could say nothing hut all right.
SHOULDN'T you like 10 visit your pa.
rents ;" was asked.
"My parents knowing OF the trouble, and
as had not expected 10 come East for a
year or two, quickly responded yes, Us
earnestly desired 10 relieve their minds as
much rs possible; and II was accordingly
arranged that should pay them visit and
10 meet sam. Best, the detective, at Buffalo,
on the following Tuesday and return TO
Dubuque with him, which ] did, all the
officials accompanying for the purpose Of
making an additional examination there.
TuE R.n. cpIPaiTs.
Eight or ten days later they offered re.
ward OF GEO for the apprehension Of the
thieves and recovery OF the money, bat they
We're a. much in the dark then as at first
Before The party left Dubuque, however
they received their first clew, Mr.. Fargo re-
eciying telegram from banker In 8
little town, TIE name OF which l hayt
forgotten, near Boston, Mass, stating
THAT two men there, named King
y aud Ayers, had just returned from the
West, and were displaying SO much
money that IL appeared very suspicious.
Upon their 1eium from the West King and
Ayers had bought liyery-s,able and made
many other purchases, paying for every.
fh.,o "a, As,.a,fnsp GOLD Tha 1afaeilVpe AZ