The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-05
FATAL ENCOUNTER WITH BANK ROBBERS.
A Respectable Citizen shot mt Alton, Ill.

[Trom the st. Louis Republican, Nov. 81
The city Of Alton was thrown into intense excite
ment on saturday morning by the announcement
that Mr.. Marccllus H. Filey. one or our old and well
known citizens, had been shot and instantly killed
while attempting 10 arrest party OF burglars who
national BANK. d the corner Of second and STATE
Streets The facts OF the case so far be accu
rately determined, are briefly these:-Mr. Flev has
been employed FOR some years past rs private Eight
watchman by = number OF merchants and Ills beat
lay through what may be considered the business
portion Of Alton embracing the area between piasa
aud William streets and extending fre.m the levee to
Fourth street. He has always ben regarded as
faithful ana Competent man, and was trusted az
sucl un ne sealed his devotion 10 duty by sudden
anu d6lent death. Ia the necessary Investigations
pertaining 10 his ONCE, .he was much assisted by
faithful dog, which accom panied him Ia his lonely
night watch and served not only for companion,
bur most efficient AID; inls dos YVES a poisoned By
thought that his death was caused b. the same per-
CONS who have since murdered his master, aud That
the act was portion OF the plot 10 rob the bank.
About four O'Clock saturday morning, MIR. RILEY,
In coming round the corner oil state and Friend
streets discovered the side door OF the bank building
open, and Immediately proceeded TO examine tie
premises. IL 10 probable that he hardly got beyond
tue entrance before he was met by the rufans with
IN. and the struggle began The evidence goes TO
show that lie ire1 twice at the assaants, ana then
gfappei with one OF them. The other burglars for
there were either three or Jour in the party,
came 70 the rescue OF their conrade and
struck Mr. Fnley on the back OF the head
with short croy bar, or some sim lar
weapon in1lcting a terrible wound, but not frac-
turing the skull. BY this time tile contestants were
out OF the doorway, across the sidewalk and nearly
IN the middle of the street. and the blow prostrated
the unfortunate man at once. While lying his
back helpless, one OF the gang deliberately Shot him
through the breast. The explosion OF firearms and
cries OF "nurderp had now reused the dweliCrs In
the vicinity, aud number Of citizens were speedily
Oh the spot. The nrst person who approached AFR.
Fley asked him Where he was shotan lie replied
'.In the breaatn He was then asked who did IL and
answered, "the men who were rooblng the bank
On being conveyed ~ the Franklin House and .aid
upon couch, he showed so little signs OF life that
one OF the watchers pronounced him dead. The dy.
Inv man heard the remark, and said:-"So, ] an not
dead yeLr These were his last words, however; IN
a few moments he was corpse. post norton
the ball penetrated just Deiow The breast bone,
and ranging upwards passed through the
heart, the ieft lobe of the lungs and struck
the spine, near which 1t was extracted. Imme-
dlately after the shooting, three men were seen
running 10 different directions, but owing 20 the
early hour a. which the occurrence took place and
the comparatively few people present no attempt
was maze to arrest them, and up 10 THIS time the
perpetrators OF this horrible crime are al large aud
unknown From traces II blood near Shoocts Mil
i Is quite certain one Of the murdercrs was hard hit
~ Mr.. Fuley's bullet and must have mad prompt
assistance 10 enable him TO escape la the bank was
lound complete kit or burglars tools, comprising
every tool known to the profession, with lamp, dark
lantern oil, tc., proving beyond any doubt that the
tnbOeTs were no greeuhoIns but most accomplished
sneFes. coat or two and some other minor arti-
80 we're ieh behind, which may possibly lead 70
idehuncauon The safe Itself aud contents were
ha.oaCne1' Mayor Drummond has offered rev ard
toV1 IoI he capture aud conviction or the criini.
III @iu NC detectlse force Ia this and neghb0rins
,ics hre already on the track II s certainly to be
success. 80
BIT. Filley has resided in Alton and immediate
was acting a. guard In the state Pepltentisry lie
was aged about uty years and leaves widow and
four chjldrar