OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

 

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Hamilton County, Ohio

Source: Cincinnati Daily Enquirer

Dated: July 14, 1869

THE SAFE ROBBERY AT HAMILTON - EXAMINATION OF HENRY EASTMAN AND RUFUS CAMPBELL - THE ACCUSED HELD FOR TRIAL

     On the night of July 3d the safe of the United States Deputy Collector, Mr. A. W. Scott, at Hamilton, was broken upon and robbed of stamps and money to the amount of $290.  The case excited considerable interest, and some days elapsed before any clue could be obtained looking to the discovery of the perpetrators of the crime.  The matter was put into the hands of skillful detectives in this city who proceeded to shrewdly "work up" the matter and on the following Wednesday they succeeded in arresting two men, named respectively Henry Eastman and Rufus Campbell.  The accused were brought before commissioner Halliday yesterday morning for preliminary examination, when the following testimony was encited:
     A. W. Scott, Deputy United States Collector at Hamilton, testified that he had an office in that city, and had in his possession Government property in the shape of beer and tobacco stamps; also, some money, over $2000 in beer stamps, and $100 in cigar stamps; they were kept in an iron safe, with about $100 in currency; between nine-o'clock on the 31 of July and nine o'clock Sunday morning the office and safe were entered and this property taken away; the safe was opened by cutting away the iron above the lock and forcing the bolt.
     One of the sheets of stamps was recognized by witness, having in pencil mark "20 sheets" in his own handwriting.
     I know Mr. Eastman; did not know the boy Campbell; have seen Eastman about Hamilton almost daily for six months.
     On cross-examination by Colonel L. H. Bond, for the defense, witness stated that he had disposed of these stamps to brewers; didn't sell tem, but when a man paid his taxes for beer he gave a receipt for the stamps, and stamps to correspond.  Do not sell $1000 worth a week; perhaps $2,300 in a month.  Myself and clerk only deliver the stamps.  Do not know that these stamps had passed out of my hands.  Know young Campbell's father; he is a civil engineer on the Junction Railroad; don't know him personally.
     Jesse Worley, of this city, testified to having met Eastman and Campbell, and at their making propositions to him to sell some stamps; I told Detective Mitchell that I thought this robbery might be turned up; I am not here as the prosecuting officer or witness; did not know that a reward had been offered, or have not been promised any part of a reward; have been acting as a ______. ____ detective policeman, a ___ needed any authority to make an arrest I would get sworn in as a deputy constable; was not sworn in this case; cannot swear positively to this carpet sack being the same one; I gave it to Detective Carey, and pretended to be Eastman's friend, for the purpose of getting the carpet sack for Detective Mitchell; I have not any other employment than detective policeman; I have already made my bread and butter, I hunt up cases for lawyers, they paying me $10 and $15 for a case.  I got acquainted with Eastman when I was Deputy Marshal.  He was then in jail.  This was when Shellbaker was Mayor, and Jim Ruffin was Marshal.  I then went on the police force as a detective under Mayor Thomas.  Have not been on the force for four years.  Did not tell Solomon that I was an independent detective or a stool pig on for the officers.
     George Swiger examined - Eastman and Worley came into where I work to get shaved; then Campbell came in with a carpet-sack and ____ by the side of the chair where Eastman was sitting.  This was between three and four P.M. of the 7th.  Am not acquainted with the detectives but have seen Worley several times.
     Mr. Scott recalled - Said he saw Campbell on Thursday morning in the station house; he told me his name was Clark; he said his father was a civil engineer, near Hamilton, which I knew to be false.  I then found out that his name was Campbell, and that his father lived at Liberty, which he denied.  Mr. Mitchell and Carey were present.
     I went to the jail because I was interested in the recovery on the goods.  I did not go to the jail to pump him, but I said that whatever he told me should not be used against him.  It was merely curiosity to know who did the work.  I was a stranger to him, and did not know him.
     Detective Carey called - On Wednesday, the 7th, I and Mr. Mitchell were standing in a saloon on Fifth street, near Smith; saw Worley and Eastman walking up Fifth; they went into Solomon's pawnbroker shop; after a while they came out and went to the Indiana House; I followed them; and from there they went to a third street car; I followed in a John street car to Fifth street, where I jumped into an express wagon and followed to where Worley lived.  They went into his house, and I watched awhile, until I went to find Mr. Mitchell.  About half past four in the afternoon, Mitchell, myself and Lippincott, were on the lookout, and saw Eastman and Worley coming up Fifth street from John, with this carpet sack under Eastman's arm.  They went into Solomon's shop, and staid half an hour, I saw this young man.  Campbell, standing there behind the screen.  Eastman and Worley came out of the side entrance, looked up and down the street, when Eastman handed Worley the carpet sack, and both started off - he toward John street and Worley toward me.  I took the carpet sack; Lippincott went after Eastman and Mitchell caught the boy.  On the way to the Station house Eastman said to me. "This is rather a bad job; can't it be fixed?  I said, "I am not negotiating now"  He said, "You can take it all, if you will let me go.'  At the Station house I asked him how many were in the affair at Hamilton.  He said there were two or three; that the job had been set up in Hamilton; that there were men of position in it.  They had supposed there were from $20,000 to $25,000 in the safe, and they were disappointed; that they got $2,600 in stamps and $90? in greenbacks; that they kept $1,000 of it.  I asked who they were, and he replied that he didn't like to give anybody away (tell on them, he meant;) that if he did they would kill him; that they had killed men for the same thing.  He told me of another case, where $600 worth of stamps had been taken.  He said that D. Frank, on Sixth street, near Elm had got them paying $250 for them.  Said he had nothing ___ with getting them, only in working them off.
     Detective Mitchell called - Received information of the circumstances of the robbery and who did it, and who had the stamps; I told the pawnbrokers not to drive them out, as I would catch them with the stamps in their possession; had some conversation; I asked him why he gave his name as Cannon, when it was Campbell; I told him it was a hard case and he would go up, to which he said, "Yes," and that he did not want his people to know of his arrest; I caught the young man; I saw Eastman coming down in front of the pawnbroker's with the carpet sack under his arm; the carpet sack was opened in the Station house, where the stamps were taken out, and Carey put his name on them; I had some conversation with Eastman, but pledged him my word and honor that I would not use it against him.
     The counsel on both sides submitted the case without argument.
     Judge Halliday said: I have tried a great many cases in my lifetime, but never saw as clear a one as this is.  The safe of the Collector was broken open, the goods taken and found on these parties giving evidence enough for conviction without reference to any confessions.
     I am not astonished at Eastman, but for the young lad.  I am always sorry to deal with a young lad, as he was no doubt led into this by Eastman, who is steeped in crime.
     I deem it a duty I owe to myself, and to the Government I serve, to hold these parties over to answer.  For a man older than I am to conspire with a boy - a man of his age who will so as forget himself as to entice a boy to such a crime - I can not think of any punishment too severe for him.  An old man who will induce a lad to commit a burglary that will send him to the penitentiary must not expect any sympathy from me.  I, therefore, hold them in bail in the sum of $5,000.

Hon. Hocking H. Hunter died this morning at Lancaster, aged 71 years.

COVINGTON -
     The finishing touches are being given to the Children's Home, and the building makes a very handsome and substantial appearance.  The formal dedication of the Home will probably take place next month.
     The colored camp meeting at Buena Vista Garden is attracting the attention of the colored people in this city and vicinity.  The serviesswill be held all week.
     Commadore Sam. COFFIN, of the Backyard Company, has commenced preparing a ship sixty feet long to be displayed in the Exposition parade.
     Hon. H. P. STEPHENS and Judge T. Jeff. PHELPS have formed a new partnership, and will shortly open an office in this city.
PERSONAL  - Mr. Ed. STARKE is entertaining a young bank teller at his home.  - Mr. and Mrs. Amos Shinklic  are at Saratoga, where they will remain a few weeks. - Dr. John STEVENSON reached home Saturday and wife will not be back before the 15th of next month. - Miss Mary HOLMA,  of Indianapolis, is the guest of Mrs. John HAYES, of this city. - Miss Lucy MORGAN leaves today for Lexington on a visit to her aunt., Mrs. DOWLING - Mr. O. F. STARKE, of Paris, is visiting his mother in this city - Mrs. J. B. MECKLENBERG, who has been visiting out at St. Paul, Minn., reached home Saturday night. - The marriage of Hon. Dudley Glenn, of this city, and Miss Mason, of South Covington, takes place at Trinity Chapel, at the latter place, tomorrow afternoon - The Kentucky Central will run a special train, leaving here at 5 o'clock, for the accommodation of guests from this city.

     The union services held by the congregations of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches have been quite a success thus far.  The service last night was held at the Eleventh Street M. E. Church.  The services were conducted by Rev. J. W. WALDEN, pastor of the Fourth Street Presbyterian Church.
     Rev. O. A. BARTHOLOMEW commenced yesterday evening the delivery of the last series of Sunday evening lectures to be given previous to his departure for Philadelphia.  His subject was, Can the Book of Revelation be Understood?"

NEWPORT -
     The Ladies' Society of the Columbia Street Presbyterian Church will give a lawn fete tomorrow evening on the grounds surrounding the residence of J. B. WAGNER, Esq., on Columbia Street.
    
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS -
Wm. E. LANE, trustee to Wm. F. KELLY, lot No. 211, James Taylor's East Row addition (continued), east side of Overton, between Mayo and Ringgold streets, 36 by 125 feet, $1,179.
Same to M. BURKE, Lot no. 253, same addition, east side of Overton, between Ringgold and Harris streets, 36 by 125 feet: $1,188.

PERSONAL -
- Dr. R. H. Thornton is making a short stay at Oakland, Md. -
- Miss Gussie Dittoe is visiting at Ironton, O.
- Mrs. Robert Meehan, accompanied by her father, B. R. Morton, left yesterday for her home in Chattanooga -
- Mrs. J. Lippincot, of Monmouth street, left Saturday for Lincoln, Neb., to visit her son, who is seriously ill. -
- Rev. H. J. Steward, who has been making a tour of the Northern lakes, returned home saturday -
- Edward Amann and Henry Cole are visiting in Southern Ohio
- Capt. John B. Keifer, Paymaster of the Department of Columbia, has been assigned to duty at the Newport Barracks.
- Rev. J. G. Bow, of the First Baptist Church, will attend the annual meeting of the Campbell County Baptist Association, which meets at Persimmon Grove next Wednesday.
- Dr. A. B. Jones is visiting friends in Indianapolis.

HAMILTON -
- Wm. Rhafuse has been appointed guardian of Mary C. Haber et al.
- S. V. Curtis to Asa Schuler, lot 3, 724 and 3,725, Third Ward; $810 -
- J. W. Leight, of Middletown, has brought suit against Phil. Latimer, jr., claiming $1,000 damages; Plaintiff claims it on the ground that defendant injured him and his good name, by accusing him of stealing the plaintiff's cabbage, and onions.
- The Democracy had a jollification meeting last Saturday evening, and like at all of these meetings, every body had a good time.  Judge Follett spoke, and encouragingly too.  Said some good words for the Democratic standard bearer for Congress.  Didn't say anything in favor of the much loved Republican party, but said they needed reformation.  Jas. E. Campbell thanked everybody present for what they had done for him and the meeting came to a close.
- Andew Conrad has brought suit against Adam Ebel, H. Smit, J. Breisford, Jos. Smith, J. Thomas, Wm. Sheard, and Wilson Shannon claiming damages for $2,000.  Plaintiff claims damages on the grounds that defendants tried to injure him and his family by attacking their hose August 17, at a time they were entertaining a social party.  He states the window shutters were all broken, and much other damage done.
- The Democratic campaign will be opened at Darrtown on teh 24th inst.
- The committee appointed on the G. A. R. reunion are requested to meet at the residence of Mrs. JAmes E. Campbell, this evening at 7:30 sharp.

HARTWELL -
- Grown was broken on Burns avenue a few days ago for the erection of a Missionery Baptist Church.
- The Homestead Savings and Loan Company of Hartwell is being continually re-enforced by new members.  Money will be sold tomorrow evening.
- Col. James D. Welsh, of Maplewood, was re-elected President of the International Passenger Association, which met in Montreal, Canada, a few days ago.

SPRINGFIELD -
     Two freight trains collided Friday night on the L. B. & W. Railroad at Shattuc, four miles north of here, ditching both engines and smashing three cars.  Nobody seriously injured
- About 8,000? people were present Saturday at the pioneer meeting in Smith's Grove, New Carlisle, and the affairs was unusually pleasant, the old people of Miami, Montgomery, and Clarke counties attending in great numbers.  County Commissioner D. G. Cory was President, Dr. H. H. Young Secretary, and I. Funderburg Marshal of the day.  Bands of music from Fairfield and New Carlisle enlivened the occasion, and there were sons of "ye olden tyme" by Father Louk's Old Folks' Choir.  The principal address was by Gen. J. Warren Keifer.  Congressman from this district, and remarks were made by several other gentlemen, pioneers and others.  Louis Bancroft, of this city, was the oldest man on the grounds.  Col. Whitfield, a Miami County pioneer, was one of the speakers.  Col. Durbin Ward, of Warren County, who had expected to attend, but was prevented, sent a pleasant letter.  The dinner, free to all, was an extensive spread.  These annual gatherins are becoming more popular every year.  Everybody greatly missed E. T. Weakley, a prominent figure at last year's meeting, since gathered to his fathers.
- Miss Anna Vol_, of this city, who graduated with honor from Cincinnati College of Music in July, gives a concert at Black's Opera House next Thursday evening under the auspices of the ladies of the First Baptist Church.
- There have been nearly 400 entries, a promising beginning, for the Clarke County Fair, which opens tomorrow.  Secratary L. B. Sprague will be at the rooms of the Agricultural Society today to book any further entries exhibitors may wish to make there.  The parade and prize contest of bicyclers is set for the second day, Wednesday.