The Schley Conty News Thursday, February 1st, 1894. PLANTER'S BANK ROBBED. Cashier Clark Makes Full Confession Of the Crime and Makes Two Attempts to End his Life. Speculation in Cotton Futures the Cause of his Downfall. Dectetive Jones' Good Work. The wildest excitement prevailed Monday morning when it was discovered that the Bank had been robbed. Darcey Peacock, at an earlyhour went out to feed the horse and saw the back door of the building was standing open, he went back and notified his father, and in a few moments a large crowd had gathered. Pres. Murray and Cashier Clark being among the first to arrive. Many were the conjectures as to who perpetrated the crime, but the condition of the vault and the scorched and blackened papers led all to believe that it was the work professional cracksmen. Mr. Murray sent telegrams in all directions to the sheriffs and also to detective Bill Jones of Atlanta who arrived Tuesday morning and immediately began to work up the case. Upon an examination of the vault and safe, his practiced eye readily saw that the drilling was done from the inside, the fine dust falling on the bars inside the vault door. He also found the lock on the Herring safe uninjared, this showing that the safe had been opened and the money taken out before the explosion occcured. A bag of silver was found in a pile of rubbish in the back part of the bank building and showed no sign of being burned. The six steel plugs, which projected into the solid wall of the safe fastened , were uninjared, nor was the safe hurt in any way except having the door blown from its hinges. The facts developed caused suspicion to fall upon cashier Clark. The bare suggestion was such a shock that every one was completely demoralized. Mr. Clark had been highly esteemed, and ! our people were loath to believe him guilty of such a crime. He was not arrested but kept under close watch. Early Wednesday morning he went to the drug store and purchased laudanum, stating that he had an aching tooth. He went immediately to the hotel and swallowed the drug. Dr. Cheney was summoned and found him in a comatose state but by the use of a powerful ????? brought him around all right. When accused of the crime, he at first denied it but finally made a full confession, stating that he purchased the tools in Macon about a month ago and that they could be found in a well near the depot. The well was drawn off and a keyhole saw, brace and bits, an iron handle and wooden handle chisel were found at the bottom of the well. When these were shown to him, he frankly admitted they were the ones he had used. He also gave up about $3000 and Capt. Peacock found in a letter in his trunk $200 or $300 more. Mr. Clark says he lost his money speculating in cotton futures.! A telegram from the Bank's correspondent in New York states that the Bank instead of having $4000 there (as the books show) has only $150 and that they have drafts to exhaust that. Mr. Clark declares that no one but himself is connected with the affair but this statement is not believed by everyone, though it was possible for the work to have been done by one person. In laying his plans and executing them, Mr. Clark was remarkably cool and deliberate. Saturday night he called upon a young lady, stayed until eleven o'clock, he then went straight to the bank, put out the street lamp in front of the door and began operations. His first attempt to blow open the safe was unsuccessful, he then pored the remainder of the two pounds of powder on the floor of the safe, closed the door and lighted the fuse. He stood in one corner of the vault when the terrific explosion turned the safe around and tore off the heavy door, breaking ??? under the iron hinges. When asked by Mr. Murray if he was not afraid of being killed, he said "I felt that I would not care if it blew me into a thousand pieces, I felt so miserable." It was nearly daylight when he finished his work, with the money in his pocket, the tools under his arm, he recklessly walked by the hotel, down past the depot, threw the tools in the well, took off his shoes and left them in the field and walked back in his bare feet, slipped into his room and retired. He made two e! forts to get away before he attempted suicide. He has been allowed to remain in his room at the hotel, but is closely guarded. His mother and other members of his family are with him, completely crushed by the terrible blow that has fallen upon them. The deepest sympathy of everyone is felt for them, and a gloom hangs over our town. He was under a ten thousand dollar bond signed by his relatives which will more than cover the deficit. And this is the sad ending of a promising career. With a desire to rapidly accumulate wealth he began to gamble in cotton futures with no thought of the fearful result. Others whom he considered shrewed business men made money that way, why couldn't he? He yielded to this tempatation, made the fatal error, and must bear the terrible consequences. Later. Bond was fixed at $11,000, in default of which he was carried to jail having waived committal trial. LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE. From the Montezuma Record. Those fellows in this section of Georgia who are pulling up stakes and selling off the old blind mule and the brindle cow and taking their wives and children and going to Texas and "Arkansaw" to get rich and grow up with the country, will find the divine curse has followed them there---that "by the sweat of his face shall man earn his bread." Do what you may, go where you will, There is nothing here but woe, Hardship, toil and struggle, No matter where you go. The same energy, industry and frugality excercised in Georgia as in Texas will bring the same results, besides we have here a climate for healthfulness unsurpassed and water the purest and best. Stay in old Georgia. LOCAL AND OTHERWISE Mr. Olin Dixon spent Sunday in town. Mr. E.B. Hornady was in town this week. Mrs. Marcus Snider is (at) her parents Mr. and Mrs. T.S. Bridges. Mr. J.R. Williams went up to Atlanta this week on legal business. Mr. and Mrs. Kleckley of Americus visited relatives in town Sunday. Mr. Harry Peacock, came down from Buena Vista and spent Sunday with the home folks. Officers Feagan and Barrow of Americus came out Monday to investigate the Bank robery. Mrs. H.T. Arrington and children returned yesterday from a delightful visit to relatives in Quitman. Dr. Cheney has been attending Mr. H.C. Arrington of Sumter Co. through a long and serious illness. He reports his patient much improved. The Ellaville Eclipse Band is honored to have an honorary member in Atlanta and the best feature is that she is a young lady. They received a note of thanks from her this morning. Mr. G.M. Green and Miss Carrie Womack will be married at three o'clock this afternoon at the home of the bride (in) this county. In advance the News extends heartfelt congratulations and best wishes. Mrs. C.H. Smith left Ellaville last week to join the Doctor at New Smyrna, Fla., where they have built a beautiful home and will spend the winter months. The deepest regret is felt by every man, woman and child in Ellaville over the departure of this estimable lady. While the train was stopped for breakfast Saturday morning two of our young men got aboard to spend the time in talk to a Buena Vista belle and were so facinated that they forgot to get off, and were carried some distance up the road. By frantic efforts they succeeded in stoping the train and walked back to town amid shouts and laughter of those about the depot. Mr. Munro Murray killed a hog last week that weighed 458 lbs. Dr. Munro, Mr. Eugene Dixon and several others in town have raised enough meat to do them at very low expense and with plenty of lard, sausage, and juicy country hams. They feel very independant. Money may be scarce this year but there is plenty of "hog and hominy" to tide over hard times. The Ellaville Eclipse Band will give a Grand Oyster Supper, Friday night Feb. 9 at the Court House. Oysters and all kinds of dainties will be served---coffee for the old people. There will be music, fun and lots of entertaining things. Come out and help your Band: Anmission 50 cts. including supper, etc. end # 5.