Year: 1879

The mystery which has surrounded the death or D.
W. Barron. cashier of the Dexter Me- Savings Bank
for nearly year. seems to have been unravelled
at last. 1t has beeD very vexed question, and
one in which the sympathies and interest OF the
whole country have been elected Barron, it
will be remembered was found dead in the
vault of the Dexter Bank the even
ing of February -, 1878. The circumstances
indicated that the man had been murdered by men
whose object it was to rob the bank. When the
search instituted the parties engaged found the
,apk locked and the building having every appear
of being deserted. An entrance was obtained
through the Dexter National Bank in the same build


ing the safes of both institutions being close prox
unity. On opening the outer doors of the vault the
search rewarded by hearing the heavy breathing
of man the other side. man squeezed him
self in through the aperture made. and he i'm
mediately reported that Mr. Barron was lying upon
the floor of the vault with his head resting upon
tho edge of a small trunk with gag in his mouth
and his hands fastened behind him with pair of
patent ratchet handouts. Crowell cut the
string with which the gag was fastened. and
with the assistance of Mr.. Curtis tho dying
man forced through the space between the safes
and into the vault of the National Bank from which
he removed to the banking room and medical
assistance summoned. Dr. Clough was in attend
within few minutes. and addressed himself to





time he arrived relapsed into insensibility.
The manacles were cut from his wrists
by willing hands. and all that could be
done to bring him back to consciousness for
ment was DONE All efforts were unavaing, how
ever. for Barron opened his eyes only and i'm
mediately became insensibe again. All that could
be done to alleviate his suerings preserve his life
unavailipg. and after having several fits he
died at about six O'Clock in the morning.


BLEEDING.


On examination slight scratch found on the
forehead another under the left eye, slight purple
mark under the right and another the back of
the head. There also swelling side of
the head the temple. One singular fact was
that. with all the marks there abrasion Of the
skin discovered and not drop of blood anywhere to
be seen. There were no marks of choking on his
throat and evidence Of any violence having been
used in putting the gag in his mouth. Soon after
the body of the unfortunate treasurer taken
from the vault the door leading to the savings bank
forced open and examination made of the
outer door of the vault, which fastened
with combination lock. This opened by Mr..
Curtis. who knew the combination, and the inner
doors of the safe also found securely locked.
The questions next to be decided were-How did Mr..
Barron come to his death? and hoY did he get into
the vault? The following morning the attempt to
solve the mystery renewed. The townspeople
having by that time become apprised of the affair.
the greatest excitement prevailed. and theories to
how he to his death were about as numerous as
there people in the town.


CASHIERS KEYS FOUND.


In the room leading from the place in which the
banking business transacted the key the hand
cuffs was found. In pile of rubbish in corner
of this room his bunch of keys was found. Among
them key to the inside door of the vault.
one to the outside or door leading into the street.
key to the door opening into the banking rooms keys
to three doors in Masonic Hall, located
in the top Of the building beside several other keys
belonging to different parts of the building door
ut the head of the stairs leading Masonic Hall was
found open as also three other doors Leading
through the hall. A window in the rear room was
found open and the iron shutters swung open.
On the floor of this room. which used
for the storage of coal. coal hod was
found tipped its SIDE Four feet
from the coal hod Mr.. Barrons false teeth were dis
covered and exactly four feet from the teeth his pen
ana holder were found lying the floor. All the
evidence pointed to the theory that Barron had been
murdered for refusing to open the safe. In the
drawers in the counter were found SIS and a
few cents On the counter found a divi-
dend statement. which was made out on the
lst of January, settled up and carried to tho
accounts OF the different depostors. In addition
to this statement the general deposit book was also
found upon the counter. Besides the sl5 in the
money drawer there 500 worth OF revenue
stamps in one pigeon hole in the inside safe SIS in
money in another and s35 in still another II was
also noticeable fact that there was no trace of
thieves having been in the bank; not a tool of any
kind had been left behind by the supposed murderer
murdcrers


SIXTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS MISSING.


Almost the first opinion expressed was that foul
murder had been committed. and the mourning for
the dead treas sincere. The townspoople
very much excited. and the result was that for
sometime aiterwsrd attempt was made to account
for the affair only as the work of murderers and
robbers. An examination Of the cash book
II balanced TO that day, showed
the cash account TO be correct, and
that on the day the supposed murder committed
there ought to have been 81 600 on hand. II was
supposed that that amount had been taken by the
robbers. as there only SIS in the money drawer
at the time Barron found Included in the
$1,000 was a five hundred dollar bond. which was
entered on the cash book as having been re-
ccivcd the day prcvious-Fcbruary 2l. The
efforts TO unraycl the mystery and
the amount OF public sympathy expressed in letters
and substantial contributions have been already fully
detailed in the HERALD. detective was for six
months on the case, and noted burglar, Jenny
Hope. was brought and tried for the murder and
robbery. but acquitted for lack OF evidence Two
detectives of this city next employed work up
The case and they have gone the ground thor
oughy. investigating every clue and circumstance.


GREAT DrscnEPAScrEs DISCOVERED.


These officers interviewed the president and treas.
urer and found that neither has ever been satisfied
with the fact of Mr.. Barrons being in the bank until
haf-past four O'Clock in the afternoon on Washing
toms Birthday and OF his being busily engaged
that he could hnd time TO 90 to his dinner They
never have been reconced To the mechanical manner
iwhich the coalhod, false teeth and penholer we're
arranged, and there some other details n
nectcd with the discovery about which they thought
great deal. though saying but little. On
the LIST of November 1873. Mr.. George Hamilton,
the new cashier IN making up his statement to send
to the bank examiner. ard never before having per-
formed such duty. took a sample the copy Of
the one made by Mr.. Barrow on the previous
Xla In I'M 4la Halall M