The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-08-03
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ROBBING THE BANK.

A few weeks ago, while staying at
Atlantic City, met at my hotel fine
grey-haired old ge1tleman whose con
versation greatly interested me. He
had evidently seen a great deal of the
world, and was especially couversant
with everything connected with the
banking business.
ln few days We became quite com.
panions, and Mr.. james Archer (for
such was the name Of my new iriend)
Informed me that he had been engaged
in the banking business all his life,
having at various times filled the differ
ent Offices Of cashier, teller and presi.
dent.
"Ishould suppose" l observed, "that
the banking business offers fewer dra.
matte episodes than any other profes
sion"
don't agree with you there" re.
turned Mr. Archer. Judging from
my own experience, should say that
there are but few professions which offer
more dramatic scenes"
"You have been an actor in some
scenes of this character ?" | asked.
81 have indeed. Let US sit down
here on the porch, and l will tell you
what happened to me once out West.
So saying, We fixed ourselves comfort.
ably, aud MIR. Archer related to me the
following exciting episode of his life.
Some twenty years ago | vas cashier
in bank situated in the city Of Mil
waukee, in the State of Wisconsin.
Although large place now, Milwaukee
at the time | refer to was long, stragg.
ling town, with very rough class of
inhabitants.
Like all places on the extreme verge
of civilization, the law was almost dead
letter. Horse thieves, robbers and mur.
derers were there in such numbers that
they struck terror in law abiding citi
zens, and no jury could be found to
convict the most heinous offender. If
it CHANGED to leak out that any of the
twelve jurors were 10 favor of bringing
in verdict of guilty, his or their lives
were sure to pay the forfeit of their
sense of justice.
As natural consequence of living iu
such state ofsocicty, every man walked
abroad with his life in his hand. and
without single exception every one
went armed to the teeth. | have known
men to be shot down like dogs for a
word, or even look.
There We're hundreds of men who
made it their especial business to try to
pick up quarrsls with the better class,
that they might have au opportunity of
killing and robbing them.
You will readily understand that car
rying on bank under these circum.
stances was most arduous task. Every
one of the employees was heavily armed
and the vaults built for the specie aud
yaluables Of the bank were of the most
massive character. In fact, SO much
was this the case, that they became a
kind OF show place for strangers; and
every one who happened to be detained
! In the city was sure to visit the vault
of the Citizens Bank.
Our president was strong, powerful,
energetic man, who had more than once
proved his courage in melee; consc.
.quently the::rqfians of the place kept
him at distance, and for two years
after the bank was started no one offered
to molest us. We had received orders
from him to shoot down the first man
who showed the slightest disposition to
be aggressive.
Mr. Braintrec, for such was our pres.
ldens's name, was accustomed to mingle
greasdeal with the roughcr portion ofthe
community, thinking by this means he
might learn il there was any scheme on
loot 70 attack the bank. OF course
these inquiries were always made ia
disguise, and indeed, Mr.. Braintree
possessed the art of SO altering his fea.
lures that he could deceive even his own
family and particular friends when as.
sisted by change of dress.
He had carried out his plan for about
TWO years without anything occurring to
prove Its necessity or usefulness, when