The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-07-10
How the indianapolis Bank WAS Robbie,


A correspondent of the Cincinnati gazette
thus describes the recent daring robbery of
So, 800 from the Central Bank at Indianapolis:
1t had been storming during the entire
morning, but about twelve O'Clock the rain
came down in such torrents that for half an
hodr the streets were nearly deserted. About
this time hack drove up to the bank, and
the driver announced that q lady who was
inside desired to see some one connected with
the institution. The President, Mr. j. NJ.
Ridenour, had been absent since ten o'clock,
and the Cashier, Mr.. c. B. Cones, had just
that moment passed out to dinner, leaving
the Assistant Cashier, Mr.. Israel Taylor, and
teller, Mr.. Robert Parker, IN charge of the
bank Mr., Taylor therefore stepped to the
carriage, and, the better to protect himself
from The rain, took a seat in the hack beside
the lady. She was a large, stout woman,
dressed in II travelling suit, with her face
closely yelled. AS soon as the hack door
was closed she stated that she desired to buy
| So, 600 worth of London exchange; that she
had been advised by "Mr Williams" to do
business with the Central Bank, and she hop
ed he would accommodate her ii possible
Mr.. Taylor replied that his bank could not
accommodate her, but that the exchange
could be procured at Fletcher & Shapes
Bank, two or three doors south on the same
street; they were honest men, and would
treat her with respect Mr.. Taylor thinks he
was in the hack about three minutes. Just
as Mr.. Taylor left the bank by the Pennsyl
vania street entrance, short, stouily- built
fellow, with light hair, reddish moustache
and sandy complexion, entered 1t by the Mar
ket street door, and Immediately inquired of
Mr. Parker If Mr.. Ridenour was in. The tel
Her. who could see Mr.. Ridenours desk from
where he was standing, replied that he was
not, but was expected every moment "Im
sorry" replied the stranger "but perhaps you
can give me the desired information" He
then stated that his sister, having recently
sold some real estate, desired him to place the
proceeds, $4,000, on deposit where 1t would
be safe and draw fair interest, and that he
would be under obligations if he Parker
would inform him of their rules, rates, etc.
Having done so briefly, he desired Mr.. Parker
to figure out Tor HIM the interest on 81 700
Tor one year at j per cent. While this request
, was being complied with Mr.. Taylor came
IN, and the stranger, having obtained the de-
} sired information, quietly withdrew, thank
4 ing the teller for his courtesy. For moment
Q Taylor and Parker exchanged jokes at the
expense OF the "velled woman in the hack"
= when the former not seeing the usual pile of
money ON the counter, said: Parker, where
[ your money" For an instant Parker stood
. like one struck with paralysis, and then, as
! if comprehending the situation, exclaimed
Its stolen, and that man and woman are in
, the conspiracy He ran 10 the rear of the
, room, and discovered that the door leading
4 into the Presidents room from Market street
; was open Just then Mr.. Ridenour entered
[ and. in moment, il was plain 10 all where
4 the money had gone. In leaving the bank.
Q ten minutes before, Cashier Cones had very
| carelessly neglected to lock the back or west
! entrance on Maike, street, and, while the
I lady had "ilir;ed" with Taylor in the carriage
p and the red mus,achcd stranger had engaged
5 Parker. thief number three, having gained
e access through this door, had quietly slipped
e up in the rear of Parker, pocketed the money
7. and as quietly withdrawn and escaped. Sub
! seauent Developments prove the correc,ncs.
:, of this theory. Mr.. James Woodward, of the
|, Journal, who happened 10 he passing Just "a
i that time, saw a man come out of this door
:, with a load of greenbacks under his coat II,
/. wore a light overcoat and gum shoes, ant
,, walked away hastily toward the Circle. Tn,
:. lhacLman, too, who brought the "veIled wo
n man" TO the bank, states that he saw such
r man as Woodward describes standing nea
II that door as he drove up his hack. Ate
Il leaving the hank the two men seem to havt
Y separated. One went directly to the hotel
s where be settled their bill, and calling tor
" hack, ordered the driver, Ben Irving TO driv
d as rapidly as possible for the depot On tn