The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-06-19
Capturing a Bank.

Capturing a Bank.
A daring and remarkable robbery was
perpetrated at the bank at st. Gene
We've, No., recently. In the morning
the cashier of the bank was standing on
the steps of the building conversing,
when two strangers walked briskly up
the steps, passing between them, and
entered the office. The cashier, sup
posing that they wished to transact
some business, followed them into the
room, and passing them near the mid
die of the counter, which he intended
to step behind, was suddenly arrested
by sharp Haiti, and turning, found
revolver almost touching his head.
The ruffian who presented the weapon
quickly informed him that a movement
would cost him his life, and the cashier,
being convinced that such was the case,
prudently stood still.
In the meantime the accomplice rush
ed toward a young man present, at the
same time drawing pistol and threat
ening him with instant death if he
moved. The young man, seeing the
intention of the scoundrels, bounded
down the steps and toward the more
densely populated portion of the town,
with the intention of giving the alarm.
He had scarcely reached the ground,
however, when robber No. 2 fired at
him. The bullet passed under the
shoulder of young Rozier's coat, plough
ing furrow through the skin and
flesh, but not injuring the bones. The
young man felt that he was hit, but re-
doubled his speed and was soon beyond
pistol shot range. Robber No. 2, find
ing that his intended victim had es-
capped, Immediately rejoined his COM
panion, and placed his pistol at the
head of the colored porter, who at that
moment appeared. The cashier was
ordered at once to unlock the safe, and
knowing that refusal would result in
his immediate death, complied with the
order.
The robbers then hastily seized all
the money they could find, together
with a tin box belonging to the sheriff
of the county, and containing 500 in
gold, number of notes and some
valuable papers. The greater portion
of the money in the safe was in bills OF
comparatively small denomination,
and although the ruffians evidently
thought they had secured very large
amount, they in reality got only about
$500.
After pocketing the money they
placed the cashier between them, anC
locking the porter in the bank, walked
toward the outskirts of the town. WheI
they had proceeded about two hundred
; and fifty yards they met two confed
crates on horseback who led two othel
horses. AS they neared the two horse
&c tln 1oI o1c tonl- frir oh
and broke away. One of the horsemer
went in pursuit, and seeing anothe
man on horseback approaching, drew
his pistol and threatened to shoot hin
if he did not stop the runaway. Th
cinity, managed to head off and secur
the runaway, and the four. robber
quickly got together on the road.
The cashier, who had in the meal
time been close prisoner, was thel
ordered to leave as soon as his TIVE
captors were mounted, and finding him
self at liberty, turned toward the town
An ominous click, click, caused him t.
Jump quickly to one side in time t,
avoid u pistol ball, and, by livel.
| dodging, he succeeded in escaping
three more shots fired at him. One o
the rutfians seemed inclined to pursu
him on horseback, and kill him, bu
was dissauded by his comrades, and al
four started off at hard gallop.
In the meantime young Rozier ha
! alarmed the town, and fifteen minute
after the gang took their departure te
or a dozen mounted men, armed wit
l double guns, loaded with buck-sho
;. were in lot pursuit.
The cashier, who, while in the roat
had also been stripped of his gol
l watch, chain, and small amount {
. money, Immediately started for s.
! ! Louis to consult with Chief McDonougl
He met the Chief and told him th
story substantially as given above.
! The robbers were superbly mounted
= but their horses were somewhat jade(
1t is believed that they intended
J reach Perryville and the Arkansas lint
. and from there get into the mountains
but if such was their intention it is a
> most certain that the pursuing part
: will overtake them.
The particulars of the daring ban
robbery in Missouri will recall tt
striking similar burglary of the Ban
e of Columbia, KY, which occurred abol
e twelve months ago. Four or five arme
e desperadoes entered the bank in broa
If daylight, forced the cashier to open IL
n safe, and deferred interference fro
Z citizens by shooting at every persc
t. who appeared upon the streets, al
% finally made their escape unmoleste
u after numbering the cashier in co
Il blood. These men were never ca
e tured and the circumstances of the q
1T tack upon the bank at st. Geneviev
le are so extraordinarily alike in every d
At tail-except the murder-to the trage(
d at Columbia, as to suggest its being Il
ID work of the same desperate scoundrel
le