The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-14
Daring Attempt TO Kldnap a Cashier and
Rob A Bank.

ANNE = A"N
The town Of Chillcothe, No., was
thrown into state Of great excitement
one night reCe ntly by an attempt Ia rob
the savings bank in that place.
Smith Rembo, n large, heavy, pow
erful man about IS years Of age, lived
about seven miles south Of Chillcothe,
md was oStensibly q farmer. He had
n wife and two sons ut home, and a
bright, interesting daughter at school
in town. During the war he was active
as lOynlist in marauding and bush
whacking among the families Of those
who were on the other side.
After the war he became IN active and
prominent politician. but strange ru-
mors began TO float about concerning
him. He employed n good many hands,
and rented portions of his farm to ten.
ants, and many Of them were believed
to be hard characters.
Finally, he laid n plan to rob the saw
ings bank by capturing the cashier in
the night and forcing him ut the point
Of the pistol to open the vault OF the
bank and deliver the contents. In MAX
ing his arrangements with some of his
gang, he discovered that he was over
heard by young man named Brunk,
who had once been in his employ. He
then made confidant Of Brunk, who
agreed to mid in the enterprise. He,
however, acted rs detective, and re-
yealed the whole scheme to the cashier,
Mr.. McWilliams, and the assistant
cashier, Mr.. Cooper.
After some delays the execution OF
the plan was attempted. Rembo drove
to town in his wagon in company with
Brunk and two others, named Monroe
and AIanseau. Rembo loafed about
and made himself agreeable until eve-
ming, when, under pretence Of going
out Of town couple OF miles to stop
with u friend, he hitched up his team,
and with his companions drove out into
the country. After going a short dis
tince, they concealed the horses and
wagon among some underground, and
between ten and eleven O'Clock in the
night proceeded towards McWilliams's
house, which was about half mile
out OF town.
They had thoroughly disguised them.
selves by blackening their faces and
wrapping black Grape around their
heads. In the meantime McWilliams
had prepared for their reception. Six
well.armed men had been concealed in
the bank, and eight more, including
the officers OF the bank, were with Nc.
Williams in his house.
The night was dark and starless. As
they approached the house Rembo said:
I" Now, boys, we must tie McWil-
liams and wife, and take them into that
woods there in the rear OF the house.
We will then leave enough Of us to
hold the family under guard, and the
balance Of us will take McWilliams
down town and make him enter the
vault silently, under penalty Of death,
open the vault and get the money.
Then we must kill McWilliams, GER
tain"
The party then approached the
house. Rembo, Brunk, and Manseau
going on the portico. McWilliams was
called for, with the announcement that
a friend was there and wished to see
him. At that time window shutters
were thrown open, and the detective,
Brunk, sprang into the window, aided
in so doing by large box previously
placed beneath it by Mr.. McWilliams
to aid him in entering. AS he entered
he fred at Rambo, and several other
shots were fred by the men within.
Rembo fell and died Immediately,
having been shot four times. Monroe
Immediately ran, dropping his pistol
in his fight. Manseau fired two shots,
one Of which made slight flesh wound
on the inner side OF Mr.. Cooper's right
thigh. The men in the house started in
pursuit OF the retreating robbers.
Monroe and Manseau were followed
to their homes, were both captured,
brought to town, and lodged in Jail,
both OF them coniessing their COM
plicity in the affair. Rembo's body
was brought into town and placed in a
room in the court building, where it
was looked upon by hundreds Of citi-
zens. 1t was aiterward delivered to his
two sons, who are not suspected OF hay.
ing had any knowledge Of his plans.
Monroe and Manseau are both poor
men with families. They were both led
into the affairby Rembo, who had some
pecuniary claims against them, and
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