River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-09-14

had occupied place in front of the
bank, and a spot of blood still marks
the spot. The other man fell from
his horse about one hundred feet dis
tant and on the other side Of tho
street.
BY this time all were mounted. As
the horSeman fell he threw up his
arms, another of the robbers dashed
up to him, said something, and seized
from his belt one OF his navy revolt
vers and dashed on up the street.
While this WAS going on Manning
was placed underline surveillance of two
of the robbers, who wat ched his move.
ments so closely and covered him so
with their revolvers that he dare not
attempt to fire again from around the
corner \ flight of stairs in measure
protected him. II is riddled with bull
lets, and tells of hot fire the robbers
sent at the intrepid and self.possessed
Manning.
lie adopted other tactics and ma
through Lee & Ilicthcock's store and
renewed the fire from the back doCr.
Meantime Wheeler continued to 40
good service from his position in the
hotel windows, us the robbers dasht d
down the street, coming from the
bloody aifray, he wounded another
man. He checked his horse, called
to his companions For God S sake don't
leave me-" and well nigh fell from
his saddle. The other robber pulled
up slightly, spoke To him, and all DISH.
ed on down the main street, the wound
ed man with difficulty retaining his
seat in the saddle.
IN THE BANK.
But let us tell the story of the hero
in the banh, and how he died true to
his trust. H. will be best understood
us 1t came from the lips of Mr.. Wilcox,
Il clerk in the bank. lie says:
"Mr. Haywood occupied the cashiers
seat at the desk. Mr.. Bunker, who is
the teller, and myself occudied seats
at the desk, Mr.. Bunker being nearest
the opening at the corner. The first
thing we knew the three men were on
or over the counter with revolvers
! presented at our heads. They ordered
Mr.. Bunker and my self to hold up our
hands and we could not do otherwise
than comply. The robbers stated
briefly that they intended to rob the
bank. believe this was stated by the
small man of light complexion, vino
seemed to be in command, and who
was first in getting behind the desk.
The second man was large heavy
built fellow with a heavy mOuStache
c1t rather stubby short. The other
one was also a large man and wore no
beard. The man in command ap.
preached Haywood and asked him iflhe
was the cashier, and he replied that he
was not. He demanded of him that he
open the safe.
lie replied that he could not. The
demand was also made of Mr.. Bunker
and myself in succession. We were
asked if we knew the combination.
We replied that we did not. The
outer vault door stood open. An at.
tempt had been made to drag Mr.. Hay
wood to it, and meantime the leader of
the gang had entered the outer vault.
Mr.. Haywood jumped forward and en-
deavOred TO shut the door and shut
the desperate in. One of the ruffians
interfered, however, and prevented it.
During this time one of the party
continued to cover Bunker and myself
with his revOlvers. Bunker thought
he had an opportunity, and cut and
run for the back door. The robber
whom mentioned as the third man
followed, firing one shot which made
the hole shown you in the blind door,
one.half of which was closed. The
shot did not take effect. He followed
Bunker to the door, and rs he stood in
the door fired again at Bunker, who
was making down between the
two buildings in tho rear, the ball
taking effect in the shoulder, and in
flicting nothing more serious than a
flesh wound.
The other two continued their de.
mand of Haywood toopen the safe, but
he persisted in refusing. They SEEM
ed to think he was the man. one of
the number drew "a knife, and pre-.
senting it to his throat, exclaimed,
Damn you open that door, or well
cut your throat from ear TO ear" at
the same time inflicting slight scratch
upon the neck. Meantime, the firing
had continued to increase outside,
and one of the number who were upon
the outside shouted to those in the
room to come ont. Ii was evidently
getting too hot for them.
Almost Immediately they took the
alarm and somehow they jumped over
the counter, making their exit. The
small man was the last to go. lie
mounted desk at the front, and as
he turned to go fired shot at Hay.
wood, which | do not think is the one
that took effect Haywood lodged be.
hind his desk, or sank into his chair
and as the robber made over the desk
railing he turned, and placing his re-
volver to Haywood S head, fired, shoot.
ing him dead.
lie staggered forward and fell he.
hind the counter. The robbers made
out of the door. do not remember
much more that followed.
The desperadoes started their horses
into dead gallop, but checked them
about a mile and half out of town,
and dressed the wounds Of their com
| paniOn. At Dundas, three miles dis
tant, another halt was made and the
wounds washed. When the highway.
men were observed on this occasion
two were riding upon one horse, and
leading the riderless horse Of the in.
| jured man. On beyond Dmdas anoth.
er halt was made and the wounds
again washed and dressed. A number
of the citizens of Mortified, led by
DIR. Wheeler, who did such good serv.
ice, started shortly after, in pursuit.
They were well armed and equipped.
Wheeler did not even stop TO put on
his boots.
THE MURDERED CASHIER.
Mr.. j. L. Haywood, the murdered