The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-13
HOW HE GOT THE KEY.
The Story of Bank Robbery that Didn't Come
by Telegraph.

by Telegraph
A few days ago about dusk stranger
called at the residence OF bank cashier
in St. Louis, and introducing himself,
said he desired some private conVersa-
tion on business of Importance. The
cashier thereupon led him to a private
room, gave orders that they were not to
be disturbed, seated himself, folded his
ears, and desired his mysterious ac-
qualntance to communicate the object OF
his wish. The man coughed once or
twice, then said:
"Beipg the cashier Of this here finan-
cial ms titution, of course you keep the
key of the satew
The cashier said he did.
"And you know about the bank rob-
bers that 60 round and tie and gag CASH
iers and their families, and with pistols
at their heads compel them TO give up
the keys?'
The cashier said he did.
"And you've heard about the Daven-
port Brothers and the spiritualists and
thingsw
The cashier said he had.
"Now," said the stranger, "I've been
studying up the whole business, and l
have found out how to overcome them"
"You don't say so.'
"Yes, sir. For S. L will impart to you
u SSSlSb WnlCu uldy dL bOllx lubul6 tIHho
save your life and the funds entrusted to
your care. l will show you how to
unite any series of knots, however COM
plicated; to remove gag from your
mouth, and, in tact, to set yourself free.
l can release myself in 2:l41a, and with a
weeks practice I'll bet that you can
show better than three minutes. You
see the advantage Of my systemf There
is no need to resist aud get shot; all you
have to do is to let them tie you up, and,
as soon as they've taken the key and
gone, why you just let yourself loose
and give the alarm"
invention.
"You bet it is," said the inventor,
sand as l never take any money for IL
I'LL my customers are satisfied OF my
honesty in dealing with them, I'll tell
you what Pll do. Just let me gag and
| bind you, and then Pll give you simple
directions what to do, and If you don't
unloose yourself in five minutes and
express your entire satisfaction with
the process, PlI give you $40. If you
find that l am man OF my word, you'll
pay me $5."
The cashier said that nothing could
be fairer.
"Another thing" continued the visi-
| WI l. IN pun mon, anu thAo SoSiOV 40
my only stock in trade, SO Pll ask you
not to teach any one else how to do it,
for that would spoil my business"
| The cashier consented to the arrange
ment.
Take this $40 BILL" said the other.
s'If fail, you keep IL; if you are salts
fed, you will return it to me with
another 50. And now this Is how we do
it," So saying he took roll Of cord and
a gag from his pockets, and with great
dexterity tied that cashier hand and
foot, and gagged him SO that he could
| not wink.
"Now you are tied pretty firmly, amt
your You wouldn't think you could
ever get loose, would your
| The cashier looked the replies he
could not speak.
| II don't think you could myself" said
\ the inventor; "and now let ME tell you,
my name is Jesse Ii. James, the notori-
GUS train robOer, and II you don't fork
over the key in three seconds, pll cut
your throat from ear to ear. l beg your
pardon: you cant, but Pil take ii myself.
| It's no trouble" and, turning that cash
| ier over on his back like a turtle, he
| took the key. 81 won't take your
pocKetboOk," he said, "fOr the $40 is
yours, as l don't think you will be able
| to get loose in five minutes, OF five hours
either. SO long sonny" and, with a
| courteous bow, he quilted the apart
ment, and proceeded W the bank, which
he rifed as completely and leisureIy
as if he had been one VI the directors.
The sad event has cast gloom over the
community Chicago Tribune.