South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-09-22
A BOLD OPERATION.
The Peoples Bank Robbed.
IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.
$3.50 STOLEN FROM A DRAWER
THE RAScALs MAKE THEIR ESCAPE

A Clerk Shot at Three Times.
THE RASCALS MAKE THEIR ESCAPE
Yesterday at about half past IL o'clock,
Main street, in the neighborbood of the
Peoples Bank, was startled at bearing four
pistol shots, fred iE rapid succession, and
at seeing two men rush out, holding cooked
revolvers IN their hands, which they point
ed at whoever attempted to stay their pro-
gress. As swift a. wild-6re the word ran
along the streets that an attempt had been
made to kill George Feeney, clerk in the
institution, and to rob the Peoples Bank
The facts are as follows: At the hour
named, there being DO one in the Bank but
George Feeney, two ordinarily dressed men
entered the institution, leaving one on the
outside, on the watch. AS soon as the
strangers got opposite to Mr.. Feeney, they
drew their receivers and told him they had
come TO take possession, ordering him to
go into back room without resistance, if
he would save his life. George replied,
"You have come to take possession, have
you Z" and he took step back towards
draWer.where q loaded revolver was lying
No sooner did be move backward than one
of the desperate robbers fred his revolver,
the ball grazing Feeney's head and burying
itself 10 the window casing. AS Mr. Fee
ney drew his revolver 10 return the shot,
both the rascals blazed away at him, he at
the same..time shooting at the tsllest of the
two, who was trying to get behind the
counter.
Almost at the same moment that Mr..
Feeney got back to the drawer and drew
out his revolver the taller of the two men
sprang forward and grasped at the packag-
es OF money lying In an open drawer on the
table, and at the same time the two fired as
stated above. It was thought at first that
the robbers had been foiled in their designs
Oh the banks funds, but,the loss of Sl,-
$50 was discovered afterithe bank closed
last night.
The rapid. firing soon ldrew a crowd to
the door, and the robbers saw that their
game was up and that they would have to
90 or be taken prisoners Holding their
pistols against the breasts of those who
stopped their egress, they got out on TO the
street, where the cry of "Stop thief called
out great number Of persons. Alexander
Laugblin made an attempt to stop them on
Main street, but ooe of them leveled his
pistol aud shouted "COme on :" but Alex
like sensible man, didn't "come on" As
they turned up Mulberry alley they met
Joseph PAUL. The taller Of the twos ras
cal1 placed the muzzle oThis pistol agains'
Joe's breast, shouting 'IIet me pass, sir"
Joe instantly removed any obstruction his
presence might have been, and said, Pass
on, stranger"
Turning down The alley that runs from
Monroe to John street, they ran to Oak al
ley, up past Luke's stable, and out into
East Wheeling, making their escape by the
very holiness of the operation, and by OPP
posing their arms against unarmcd men
We doubt if the whole history Of crime
furnishes holder attempt at robbery and
murder than this. The audacity of men,
who, in broad daylight and on one Of the
busiest streets of the busiest portions Of the
city, attempt to rob bank, almost provokes
admiration.
GOODNESS aud nerve Of Mr. Feeney under
these most trying circumstances. Had be
wavered for an instant or shown the least
fear, all the money entrusted to his care,
If not his own life, would have been taken
After the Tascals started to run away he
gave the alarm, but staid and took care Of
the bank instead Of attempting to join in
the chase after the scoundrels, as most men
would have done.
The men who made this attempt are
known to the police, aud have been under
the eye Of Captain Conant for some time
They first came to the city about two
months ago, aud remained but few days,
long enough to put up the "job" they yes
terday attempted to make success -
Wheeling Register, Sept IL
re- The best authenticated instances Of
longevity are as fellows Peter Lorton, Of
Hungary, aged 1875; Louisa Truzo, nc
gress, Of South America, l76 John Rovin
Of Hungary, 172; Sarah, bis wife, IG4 :;
Henry jenkins, Of England, 1863 Mrs.
Judith Scott, Of England, 1852 Thomas
Parr, of England, l52; Ivan de Outryel, Of
France, 1916; the Countess Of Desmond, Of
Ireland, l40; Alexander McCullock, Of
Scotland 1872; Peter Garden, Scotland. 131