Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1871-07-29
R0BBING THE BANK.

grey-haired old gentleman, whose con
yersation greatly interested me. IL
T; had evidently seen great deal of tn
:. world, and was especially conversan
with everything connected with tin
t banking business.
a In few days we became quite com
panions, and Mr.. James Archer 10
) such was the name of my new friend
informed me that he had been engaged
in the banking business in his life
having at various times filled the diff
ferent offices of cashier, teller anC
president.
81 should suppose" " observed, "tha
the banking business offers fewer dra
matte episodes than any other profes
SION"
81 don't agree with you theren re-
turned Mr.. Archer. Judging from
my own eXprience, should say that
there are but few professions which of.
fer more dramatic scenes.n
"H0u have been an actor in some
scenes of this character ?" asked.
81 have indeed. Let Us sit down
here, on the porch, and | will tell you
what happened to me once out West"
So saying, we fixed ourselves COM
fortably, and Mr. Archer related to me
the following exciting episode Of his
life.
Some twenty years ago was cashier
in II bank situated in the city of Mil
waukee, Wisconsin. Although a large
place now, Milwaukee at the time
refer to was long, struggling town,
with very rough class of inhabitants.
Like all places on the extreme verge
Of civilization, the law was almost a
dead letter. Here thieves, robbers and
murderers were there in such numbers
that they struck terror in law abid-
ing citizens, and no, jury could be
found to convict the most heinous
offender. If iG Glanced to leak out
that any of the twelve jurors were in
favor Of bringing i'll verdict of guilty,
his or their lives were sure to pay the
forfeit of their sense OF Justice.
AS a natural consequence Of living
in such n state of society, every man
walked abroad with his life in his
hand, and without u single exception
every one went armed to the teeth.
have known men to be shot down lik
dogs for word, or even look.
IheIc were hundreds of men who
made it their especial business to try to
pick up quarrels with the better class,
that they might have an opportunity
Of killing and robbing them,
You will readily understand that
carrying on bank under these cir
cumstances was almost ardurous task.
Every one Of the employees was heavi-
ly armed, and the vaults built for the
specie and valuabIes of the bank were
of the most massive character. In fact,
so much was this the case, that they
became akind Of a show place for
strangers; and every one who hap
pened to be detained in the city was
sure to visit the vault Of the Citizens
Bank.
Our president was strong, power
ful, energetic man, who had more than
once proved his courage in Il melee
consequently the ru1lians if the place
keep 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
lirst man who showed the slightest dis
position to be aggressive.
Mr.. Braintree, for such was o,r
presTdent's name, was accustomed TO
miuple a great deal with the rOurhpr
portion ofthe community, thinking by
his means he might Learn if there was
ony scheme on foot TO attack tbe bank.
OfCourse these INQUIRIES were ALWAYS
made in disguise, and indeed, MIR.
Rraintree possessed the art of 50 alter
inc his features that he could deceive
even his own family and particular
friends when assisted by a change Of
dress.
He had carried out his plan for about
two years without anything occurring
TO prove its necessity or usefulness,
when one hot July morning he enter
ed the bank about an hour earlier than
was usual with hm.
"Good morning, Mr. Archer,n said
he to me, and be took off his fine black
coat, and put ON an easy-titting
blouse.
"Good morning, Mr.. Braintree, you
are early this morning"
"Yes-I have something particular
to tell you, and thought il better to
lose no time, You must know, in the
first place, that visited the "l'hree
Swans last night.p
The "Three Swans" was one Of the
lowest taverns in the place, and the
rendezvous for all the desperate char
acters in the town and neighborhood.
There was scarcely 4 night passed that
some one was not killed there.
"You visited in disguise, suppose?n
| remarked.
"Certainlv. | was disguised as
drover, and had the extreme pleasure
of being taken for q horse thief by all
the scoundrels present.
"That is at least a compliment to
YOUR success i'm Disgusting yourSelGD |
returned.
ayes that's true. learnt some-
thing at the "Three swans last night,
usr
t,udopd.u returned, prickiug up
NV enrs
3cYou have heard Of "White Haired
Bobby ~ said Mr.. Braintree.
'Do you mean the great DanN rob-
Snyes he himself He has robbed
= ~ ~, a., a,,,, Ion Won In tl,o