Contributed by Maine Historical Society

Description

A broadside announcing a "10,000 Dollars Reward" for information about a robbery at Cumberland Bank on August 4, 1818.

On the eve of August 1, 1818, two individuals robbed the Cumberland Bank on Exchange St. in Portland, Maine using a “false key.” They made away with $200,000—over four million dollars in today’s currency.  Until the Civil War, many American banks printed their own currency. This broadside indicates the Cumberland Bank printed most of the stolen money.

The $10,000 reward added $9,000 to an already posted $1,000 offer. The case was quickly solved. The two-man team included Benjamin Rolfe and Daniel Manley. The police found Rolfe first, who gave up $1,600 in his possession, fled from police, and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Manley was soon arrested and all remaining funds recovered. According to newspapers, the useful tip came in before this broadside was posted, and the bank only paid out the original $1,000 reward.

Transcription

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About This Item

• Title: Cumberland Bank reward broadside, Portland, 1818
• Creator: Cumberland Bank
• Creation Date: 1818
• Subject Date: 1818-08-04
• Location: Portland, Cumberland County, ME
• Media: Ink on paper
• Dimensions: 33 cm x 25 cm
• Local Code: Coll. 463, No. 43
• Collection: WPA broadsides relating to Maine, Massachusetts, and World War I
• Object Type: Text

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Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

• Awards
• Broadsides
• Cumberland Bank (Portland, Me.)
• Posters
• Robberies--Maine--Portland

Other Keywords

• Rewards

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For more information about this item, contact:

Maine Historical Society
485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website

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