Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-06-22
DARING ROBBERY.
A Bank Robbed of see, 900 in Daylight The
Cashier ChlOrOf0rmed.

One of the most daring robheries that has
occurred in this city for years was per-
petrated yesterday afternoos, when the
Mechanics Bank, near the comerof Fourth
and Market streets, was entered, the cash
ier drugged, and the vault robbed of about
100000 About S'oclock last evening Il
young man approached officers Thos. For
man and John Fritch, at the corner of
Fourth aid Green streets, and asked them
toaccompany him to the Mechanics Bank,
as he found something was wrong on the
inside. 1t seems that the young man rooms
in TIE building, and on entering about
half past seven o'clock, he found the vault
door open, an unusual thing. He also
heard the groans of some one in the rear.
He then came after the officers, as above
stated.
We entered the bank with the officers
and found everything in the utmost con-
fusion. The cash drawer was open, and
Immediately under it wss package of 81,
600. The vault was also open, and money
and papers scattered around. Proceeding
to the room in the rear we heard the groans
Of some one, and on examination we found
the cashier, Mr.. Henry l.. Pope, lying in
sensible in Il narrow stairway He was
taken out, and, after partially recovering,
stated that he came to the bank as usual,
nj about four O'clock, to balance the busi-
ness of the day. After he had worked for
some time and before he was aware of it,
two men approached him from the rear,
one armed with a large butcher knife, and
told him not to speak, mt the same time
throwing some snuff in his eyes. They
grappled with him and placing chloroform
to his nostrils forced him back into the rear
room. After this he lost all recollection OF
what transpired.
When found, Mr.. Pope was lying with Il
large shawl around his head, and Il bottle
OF chloroform close to his nostrils.
On examination we found valise that
contained about $4,000 lying open with
s., 800 in gre enbacks lying by its side.
All of the large notes We're taken out Of the
cash drawer, amounting to ten or fifteen
thousand dollars. None of the special de-
posts were interfered with, and everything
looked as if the thieves had made quick
work of il. 1t will take time to get at the
precise amount stolen, but it will approXi-
mate to 100000.
1t is impossible to state at what time the
robbery occurred. Mr.. Pope entered the
bank at 4 o'clock, and il was not discover
ed until s. The robbers had four hours in
which to get away, and left but little clue
for the operations of detectives. Officers
Fornan and Fritch at once notified heasl-
quarters, and detectives Bligh and Booker
| arrived and took the case in hand.
Upon the floor of the bank was found a
fine carving-knife and napkin, which
may lead to some development, The chic
roform was in two bottles, both of which
were nearly emptied.
| As soon as the directors of the bank were
notified of the robbery, they met in tho
paror and made thorough examination.
| They found that none.of the special depos-
! its had been interfered with, and that the
robbers had left Il about six thousand dol
lars i'm the vault and cash drawer. The
bank will not be open for business to-day
~ the directors wish to make a thorough
examination of the books and give pub
| lie statment Of its affairs. LOitisUWe Gam.
D HCfciCH .JuRc is.