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Story October 24, 1835

Republican Herald

Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island

What is this article about?

In June, the U.S. Branch Bank in Savannah was robbed of nearly $100,000 using false keys. $23,000 was recovered soon after, but the rest eluded capture until September when suspect John Fitzgerald was arrested in New York, confessed, leading to recovery of $68,000 more, nearly the full amount.

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Full Text

RECOVERY OF THE GREATER PART OF THE MONEY STOLEN FROM THE BRANCH BANK OF THE U. S. AT SAVANNAH.—In the month of June last, this Bank, as our readers are already aware, was entered in the night time with false keys and robbed of nearly $100,000, in bills and specie—Shortly after the robbery, about $23,000 of the money, in bills, was found in some cotton bags on the wharf where the steamboats come in at Savannah: But though some persons were arrested on suspicion, no clue at that time could be obtained to discover who the robbers were or what disposal had been made of the remainder of the property. In the latter end of September, a man named John Fitzgerald, came to this city from Savannah, having in his possession a sum of five or six hundred dollars, most of which was in bills for one hundred dollars each, and for getting some of these bills exchanged he paid a person in this city thirty per cent, and also evinced extreme caution in negotiating the exchange. Jacob Hays happening to hear of the matter suspected that the fellow had obtained the money dishonestly, and took him into custody, and Mr. Hospon examined him so adroitly, that he elicited from him a full confession that he and others were the persons who entered the Bank at Savannah, with false keys, and robbed it of nearly $100,000. He also informed Mr. Hospon where a large portion of the money was concealed at Savannah, whither Mr. Hospon despatched two officers, Messrs. Benjamin Hays and Huntington, on the 2d inst., the day after he got the information, and a letter from them arrived at the Police Office yesterday stating they had recovered $68,000 which along with what was found in the cotton bags makes within a few thousand dollars of the entire amount stolen. It is worthy of remark that immediately after the Bank was robbed, Fitzgerald was arrested at Savannah on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery, and though detained two or three days in prison, nothing could be elicited to prove his guilt. Since his arrest in this city, he has acknowledged that some time back, he three times entered the Butcher's Bank, of this city, by means of false keys, with intent to rob it, but was each time scared away from it before he accomplished his object, by hearing or imagining that he heard some person about to enter the Bank.—Journal of Com.

What sub-type of article is it?

Crime Story Mystery

What themes does it cover?

Crime Punishment Justice Deception

What keywords are associated?

Bank Robbery Money Recovery False Keys Confession Savannah Bank Police Investigation

What entities or persons were involved?

John Fitzgerald Jacob Hays Mr. Hospon Benjamin Hays Huntington

Where did it happen?

Savannah; This City

Story Details

Key Persons

John Fitzgerald Jacob Hays Mr. Hospon Benjamin Hays Huntington

Location

Savannah; This City

Event Date

Month Of June Last; Latter End Of September; 2d Inst.

Story Details

Bank in Savannah robbed of nearly $100,000 in June using false keys; $23,000 found on wharf; Fitzgerald arrested in this city in September, confesses, reveals hiding spot; officers recover $68,000 more. Fitzgerald admits prior failed attempts to rob local bank.

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