Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-05-21
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terry anu VIII give you all tne uetallS
of it, and n good deal of gossip besides.
Anson the banker was for years a wild
over, but ut the age of 55 he married
again. The wife was less than 30, and
while he was sedute and devoted to
business, she was frivolous and wanted
to shine in society. Gossip predicted
quarrels and unhappiness and a sep
hration, and it was only few months
before it was towns talk that peace
and harmony had fed from the bank
er's home. The wife had eXtravagant
tastes in every direction, while the
husband was inclined to be conscrva-
tive in social display as well as in busi-
ness matters.
One morning, six months after the
marriage, it was noisett about that the
bank had been robbed in mysterious
way. 1t had vault of stone and iron,
and this was defended by door which
was opened by combination of four
numbers. So careful and prudent was
the banker that he had never trusted
this combination even to his cashier.
He himself was always there to open
and close the vault. Within the vault
there were shelves and boxes, and the
place was used as q safe deposit by
many of the townspeople. All the en-
ployes had been in service for many
years. There were cashier, u book
keeper and nephew of the banker
who was sort of general utility man,
and n porter. One morning when An
son went to the vault to take out
money for the days business, he dis
covered that package of $4,000 in
greenbacks was missing. lie had laid
away n certain amount that night be-
fore and made his tally. His tally was
there but the money was gone. There
could be no mistake about 1.-THE
money had been taken from the vault
The door had not been forced, but
somebody had worked the combination.
Who was that somebody?
The banker gave no alarm, but took
matters quietly, and after awhile
slipped out to consult with the sheriff.
He got little consolation in that quar-
ter, however. The banker was the only
person who knew the combination; had
one of the employees been left alone in
the bank for week he could not have
struck 1t. The porter was the only
man who had passed even an hour
there alone, and he was to be left out
of the question altogether. The bank
was not watched at night except by the
outside watchman on the block, and
there was not the slightest sign that
anyone had entered the place by force.
The sheriff tried to make Anson believe
that he had made false tally, but the
banker was too careful and methodical
for that. He felt certain that he was
correct; but rs the mystery could not
be solved. he also felt helpless. The
sheriff let the matter leak out, and
there was much talk; but the case final
ly wore out. 1t was the general opin-
Jon that the alleged robbery was a mis-.
take, though the people in the bank
knew better.
A period of about six weeks passed
and there was second robbery. This
also took place at night and was dis
covered next morning. This time {
package of $4,000 had been taken
There was the tally of the amount O.
money laid away the night before, bu
the count was just $4,000 short. WheI
satisfied of this, the banker agair
sought the sheriff; but things came ou
pretty much as before. 1t was impos
sible to suspect any employe, and ther,
was absolutely no clew for the de
Eective, who came into the case prett,
Boon, to work on. He nosed around TO
q few days, shook his head and locke,
wise; but the mystery was not solved
Gossip revived, and as a consequence
the bank began to lose business and tn
banker to worry until he was i'll for tn
first time in his life. He was, of course
advised to change his porter, to pu
q watchman inside, and all that; bu
he made no changes. Had robber Ell
tered the bank by means of key an
worked the combination, why did h
mot take all the money instead of
email sum? Anson would not admi
that he suspected anybody, but ther
were those who asserted that he suf
pected himself. He was somnambr
List, and perhaps he figured it out tha
he had taken the money and hidden
AWAY Dcg Ohu iCuNy hiiNnhB' %hp oi
rate, neither of the stolen package
was found or the crime brought HON
to anyone; and SO 1t went on for thre
OF four months.
was then boy of IA, livin
In the town. OF course heard all tn
talk, and may tell you that I wa
probably more interested than an
other outsider. I gave that matte
thought both day and night, and ha
q dozen times / went to the sheriff
be laughed at. suspected the porte
of the bank, and it was wonderful wha
n case worked up against him alon
and singlehanded. His wife had t,
ceived legacy of $500, and this fa'
they were keeping secret. discoyere
that she sent money away TO siste
Ind that they were buying luxuries
also that they were planning to build a
hddition to their house, and varior
Dther things, which looked suspicion
under the circumstances. But fortui