Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-07-10
A Daring Bank Robbery.


A correspondent of the Cincinnati
Gazette thus describes recent robbery
of five thousand and eight hundred dol
lars from the Central Bank at Indian
apolis:
1t had been storming during the entire
morning, but about twelve o'clock the
rain came down in such torrents that for
half an hour the streets were nearly de-
serted. About that time a hack drove up
to the bank, and the driver announced
that 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.. G.. 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 travel
ing suit, with her face closely yelled.
As SOON as the hack door was closed she
stated that she desired to buy three thou
sand dollars worth of London exchange
that she had been advised by "Mr. Will
liams" to do business with the Central
Bank, and she hoped he would accom-
modate her if possible. Mr. Taylor re-
piled that his bank could not accom-
modate her, but that the exchange could
be procured at Fletcher q Sharpes
Bank, two or three doors south on the
same street they were honest men and
would treat her with respect. Mr.. Tay
Tor thinks he was in the hack about three
minutes. Just as Mr.. Taylor left the
bank by the Pennsylvania street en-
trance short, stoutly built fellow, with
light hair, reddish moustache, and sandy
complexion, entered by the Market street
door, and Immediately inquired of Mr..
Parker if Mr.. Ridenour was in. The tel
Ter, who could see Mr.. Ridenour's desk
from where he was standing, replied that
he was not but was expected every mo-
ment. "Im sorry" replied the stranger,
'but perhaps you can give me the desired
information. He then stated that his sis
ter, having recently sold some real es-
tate, desired him to place the proceeds,
four thousand and seven hundred dol
lars, on deposit where it would be safe
and draw fair interest, and that he
would be under obligations if he Par
kerr would inform him of their rules,
rates, etc. Having done so briefly, he
desired Mr.. Parker to figure out for him
the interest on four thousand and seven
hundred dollars for one year at five per
cent. While this request was being COM
piled with Mr.. Taylor came in, and, the
stranger, having obtained the desired in
formation, quietly withdrew, thanking
the teller for his courtesy. For a mo-
ment Taylor exchanged jokes at the ex-
pense of the "veiled woman in tie hack"
when the former, not seeing the usual
pile of money on the counter, said, "Par-
ker, where's your money!" For an in
slant Parker stood like one struck with
paralysis, and then, as if comprehending
the situation, exclaimed, " It's stolen,
and that man and woman are in the con-
spiracyw He ran to the rear of the
room, and discovered that the door lead
ing into the Presidents room from
Market street was open. Just then Mr..
Ridenour entered, and in moment it
was plain to all where the money had
gone. In leaving the bank ten minutes
before, Cashier Cones had very carelessly
neglected to lock the back or west en-
trance on Market street, and while the
lady had "flirted" with Taylor in the
carriage, and the red moustached stran-
ger had engaged Parker, thief number
three, having gained access through
-. IL II.
rear of Parker, pocketed the money, and
as quietly withdrew and escaped. Sub
sequent developments proved the correct
ness of this theory. Mr.. James Wood
ward, of the Journal, who happened to be
passing just at that time, saw man
come out of this door with a load of
greenbacks under his coat. He wore 4
light overcoat and gum shoes, and walked
away hastily towards the Circle. The
hackman, too, who brought the yelled
woman" to the bank, states that he saw
such man as Woodward describes stand
ing near the door as he drove up in his
hack. After leaving the bank the two
men seem to have separated. One went
directly to the hotel, where he settled
their bill, and, calling for hack, ordered
the driver, Ben. Irving, to drive as
rapidly as possible for the depot. On the
way the other man was picked up, and
after settling their hack fare, both were
lost in the crowd. The thirty-fve min
utes past twelve train for Chicago, via
the /. C. and L. train, was about leaving,
and it was thought the trio departed on
it.
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