Portage Sentinel

Bank Robbery—Removal of the Deposits.

For a few days past the public mind in this vicinity has been somewhat excited by a mysteriously whispered rumor that the "Wayne Branch Bank," at Wooster, had been robbed of a portion of its "hard."

The Bankers have been very quiet, saying but little about the matter, except among themselves, but their actions have told plainly that something was out of joint, in their beautiful system. We have made considerable inquiry about the matter, and find that on Friday night last, the room containing the specie belonging to the Bank was entered and robbed of a box of coin. When the person having charge of the room went into it that night he discovered a box was gone, but supposing the Cashier had probably removed it, he said nothing about it. On making inquiry in the morning, however, he soon ascertained that the Cashier had not touched it, but that some rogue had entered the room in the early part of the evening and made a pick of the pile. A box containing gold was selected from among a number of boxes with silver in, and carried off. We have not been able to learn the exact amount the box contained, but understand from a very creditable source, that not less than $10,000 and probably $15,000 was taken.

The Bankers fearing a run don't care much about letting their loss be known.

Up to this time no clue has been obtained to the intruder—scarcely a suspicion is entertained of who done the deed. It was a bold act, and when we come to view all the circumstances and take into consideration the time and place the theft was committed, we cannot refrain from the belief that come one connected with the institution, or intimately acquainted with the arrangement, intentions, &c. of the Bankers is the guilty one. Ever since the Bank went into operation they have occupied a room in the second story of the "Merchants Emporium;" during the daytime they kept their specie in this room, but at night would remove it to the corner room, immediately over Mr. Stibbs' store, where it was supposed more secure, and a person slept there to watch over the treasure. Their new Banking house was finished and it was their intention to move their specie into the new stone vault the next day, (Saturday.) Now it seems evident the robber, whoever he was, knew all this—he knew where the "hard" was kept—knew they intended to move it—and knowing that the person who usually occupied the room was absent, he went up stairs—walked some distance along the hall to the room—unlocked the door, and from amongst a number of boxes, picked out one containing gold coin and removed—locking the door after him and leaving every thing in good order behind. Now, is it possible any stranger could have done this? Is it not self evident that some one acquainted with the affairs of the Bankers and their arrangements, is the guilty one? Most certainly! and we are compelled to view the whole transaction as the legitimate offspring of the banking system—a system that is the source of more crime, misery and degradation than all other causes combined. It corrupts the most pure—renders callous the hearts of the most generous, and turns out villains by wholesale.—Wayne Co. Democrat.