Smyrna times., 1873-11-12
The wilmington Bank Robbery.

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the following account of the attempted bank
robbery in that city on Friday evening last.
The account runs as follows:
Just about half Epast six o'clock thatevening,
Mr. Samuel Floyd, cashier of the National
Bank of Delaware, and his household, were
taking supper in q room in the basement OF the
bank building The household at the time
consisted of his wife, his sister, MISS MARY
Foyd, two nieces, Misses Irene Charlton and
Jennie Hates, and colored domestic, named
Hannah. Suddenly there came gentle tap
nt the Kitchen door, which Mr.. Floyd, deeming
il no unusual occurrence, arose to answer. Ills !
wife attempted to dissuade him from SO doing, /
but, thinking that it was only some casual
caller he opened the door. As he did so a
tall, large and evidently very powerful man,
with the greater portion of his face concealed
by a mask, rushed past him into the room. !
Mr.. Floyd's first impression was that the man
was either drunk or crazy and so he decided
to step 10 the gate and give an alarm. But
rs he attempted to step out the door he was
confronted by four other men, who promptly
seized him. In less time than it takes to tell
it, his hands were hand-cuffed behind his back
and he was quickly hustled back into the
kitchen, where one of the burglars took charge
of him, and enforced silence by holding a
cooked revolver close to his head. The others
pointed their revOlvers at the frightened
women, aud sternly commanded them to make
no noise. Miss Charden almost tainted, and
thi, dissonce ted the burglar somewhat, as they
seemed disposed not to injure the women if
they maintained silence, and endeavored, by
soothing words to convince them OF the fact.
Meanwhile, the colored girl, Hannah, with
commendabe GOODNESS, dropped down under
the table and endeavored to get to the door,
but was discovered by the burglars and dragged
out.
While all this was going on Miss Jennie
Hates, young lady of sixteen, a visitor, con-
trived to escape. Selling upon the time when
the colored woman was being dragged from
under the table, as the most favorable oppOr
tunity, Miss Jenny dropped under anotht
table, which stood close by the door leading up
stairs. Against this door the robbers had
placed chair but the brave girl quietly re-
moved this obstruction, and quietly opening
the door, few swiftly up stairs. Her escape
was n,tantly discovered. Catch that girl,
exclaimed Que OF the robbers, aud another one
followed her but she few along the hallway
which leads from the head of the stairs to the
9th street door. The heavy faStenihgs of this
door she unclOsed almost as if by magic, and
opening it, went out, and slammed it shut in
the face of her pursurer. Down the flight OF
stone steps she fell, 6ut gathered herself up,
and sped around the corner and up Market
street, still followed by her bold and
audacious pur>uer, who essayed to Iecapture
the girl even on the most public street in the
city SO closely did he follow her that Miss
Hates imagined she could hear him gritting his
teeth as if with suppressed rage and passion.
Fearing that he would Overtske her she ran
into the first place of refuge which presented
itself, which happened to be Gordon'S trim
ming store, few doors above the bank. Here
her pursu er paused, and after looking into the
window, went back to the bank to alarm his
confederates. Upon being apprised of the
state of affairs the whole gang left as suddenly
aud with as little ceremony as they had entered
This was most bold, daring aud well arranged
attempt at bank robbery, frustrated 5y the
coolness and intrepidity of one brave young
girl.
AS soon as the robbers left, the girl Hannah
and Mrs. Floyd went out TO the gate and called
Justify for help. In a few minutes officer
Carberry arrived, and learning the state OF
affairs, gave prompt pursuit. alter notifying
the other officers Officer Hettrick soon fol-
lowed
Meanwhile large crowd quickly gathered,
and Mr.. Floyd was released from his uncom.
Portable position. alter considerable difficulty,
by fling the handouts. On the table wa.
was found black mask, heavy new chisel !,
about l6 to Is inches long, and u gag. These
articles and two new umbrellas, which the rob
bers had left behind, were taken to the Police
Headquarters.
Quiet was then restored to the house, and a
search made for Miss Hates who had given the
alarm. She was found at the residence of Mr.
Fipps, No. 6O4 Market street, and being
assured that the robbers had left, returned tC
the rest of the family, who were overjOyed tC
see her They had almost feared that the
robbers had injured or perhaps abducted her
Meanwhile officer Carberry was giving close
pursuit Noticing suspicious looking mar
going up Market street, he followed him
When near Walnut street, on the upper sid,
of 8th, he discovered just in advance Of him
three men, one of whom he had seen at 6tl
and Market streets. He called out 10 the mel
that he wanted to see them, when all thre
stOpped. Without considering the danger o
his position, the officer promptly advanced AM
inquired why they hurried SO fast. In answe
one of them tapped him over the right ey
with black jack, another, at the same time
stepped to the other side and struck him a Vi
olent blow on the head with some sharp an
heavy instrument-probably a chisel. Th
third discharged revolver, the ball from whic
Just grazed the officers cap The severe blow
received by Carberry caused him to stagger u
against the fence, in which position he fire
twice OF his assailants, who rapidly fed. Tvs
Of them rushed up Walnut street, and III
other down. Oh # Brady attracted by th
shots, arrived Rt the spot, and took chare
of officer Carberry, and had his wounds DIRE
sed. He was seriously hurt.
Officer Hettr k, after thoroughly searchir
the bank premi ~, went home, put on his ci
izen's 8 clothes, and started out on the searc
When pear Bra nards saloon, at Tenth sire
and the Railroa |, be saw two suspicious cha
acters, whom he hailed and ordered to sto
In answer, both d 'charged pistols at the of
cer who returned their fire, and gave chas
The men ran in a north-westerly directio
until they struck Van lever Avenue, whe
they met man, evidently a confederate, dri
ing horse attached to buggy. Into the v
hicle the men sprang, and drove rapidly
towards Market street
During the evening. diligeut search alo
King street, between Sixth and Seventh,
suited in the finding of various articles viii
the burg lars had thrown away in their higl
Officer o Nel brought in heavy blue arr
overcoat and cape quite new. Inside I
sleeve was the makers stamps follow
"John I. Man-lihe balance of the nan
consisting Of three letters, ulinteligab
s,nl shraa