Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-09-23
THE FIGHT IN NORTHFIELD.
Accounts by Witnesses Of tho Struggle with
Robbers-.-ileroism and Death of u bank
Cashier.

Accounts by Witnesses Of the strssale Will
Robbers... II eroism nm d Death of u Bant
, Cashier.
1t appears, says correspondent writ
ing OF the attempted bank robbery II
Mortified, Mimi, that three common
looking men rode into the town and tied
their horses in front OF u store. They
did not appear to have any particular
business, but sauntered about and
chatted with several citizens on, ordi'
nary topics. At two o'clock party OF
six more men rode leisurely across the
bridge leading to town in couples. No
sooner had they crossed the river than
they all drew revolvers, and, putting
thor horses into a full gallop, dashed
through the street shouting to the peo-
pie on the walks to get inside the stores,
and ornamenting their shouts with the
most fiendish curses and imprecations.
While the ate ntion of the citizens was
called to the proceedings of these vii
lains, the three that had arrived earlier
rushed into the bank, and leaped over
the counter. One accosted Mr.. hay
wood and asked if he was the cashier.
He replied that he was not, but they in
sisted that he should open the safe,
which he had closed Immediately after
Mr.. Taisey had left. The robber BRAN
dished knife and told him that unless
he opened it, he would cut his throat
from ear to ear. Mr.. Haywood replied
that he would have to cut it then, for he
could not open the safe. just at this
moment firing was heard outside, and
the robbers called to their comrades to
| 4 90 hal ~an In
leaped over the counter; one of them
fred at Mr.. Bunker, clerk, wounding
him in the shoulder, and another turned
and pointed his pistol at Mr.. Haywood,
who stopped beneath the counter as
quickly as possible, but not soon enough,
as the fatal shot entered his right temple,
while only the upper portion of his head
was visible. The men rushed from the
bank, leaped on their horses and joined
the remainder of the gang.
The outside robbers, after making the
dash into the town, gathered about the
bank, on the steps of which one of them
met merchant. The robber seized this
man by the throat and threatened to
elbow his head off if he squealed,"
but he succeeded in getting away, and
ran up the street crying murder
Robbers I" Two shots, both harmless,
were dispatched after him, and these
shots, together with the cries of the man,
caused the citizens to know that the in
vaders were something more than agang
of reckless, drunken fellows. Pistols
and guns were quickly secured, and from
the second story window of building
opposite the bank young man named
Wheeler picked off one of the robbers,
shooting him through the heart. An
other shot, thought to be from Wheeler,
Frustrated another villain, and they
found it was time to beat a retreat. 1t
was at this time that the inside men were
called out. A third robber was hit, but
as his comrades rode off they picked him
up and slung him on horse in front of
one of them.
MIR. Wilcox's story is as follows: Mr..
Haywood occupied the cashiers seat at
the desk situated at the end of the
counter. Mr.. Bunker and myself occu-
pied seats at the desk, Mr.. Bunker being
nearest the opening ut the corner. The
first thing we knew the three men were
upon or over the counter, with revolvels
presented at our heads, one of them ex-
claiming "Throw up your hands, for
we intend to rob the bank, and if you
halloo we will blowy your brains out, and
we could not do otherwise than comply.
They then asked which vas the cashier,
to which Mr.. Haywood replied He is
not i'm They then sprung over the
counter and demanded the safe to be
opened. Addressing each in turn they
said "You are the cashier" which each
denied. Seeing Haywood seated at the
cashiers desk, one of the ruf1ians went
up to him with his long narrow bareled
pistol and said: "You are the cashier;
now open the SAFE" Mr.. Haywood said
1T is time lock, and cannot be opened
now" One Of the men then went into
the vault, the door being open, also the
outer door of the safe. Haywood at
once sprung forward and closed the door
of the vault, shutting the robber in,
when another of the men seized Hay
wood by the collar and dragged him
away from the door and released the in
carcerated robber.
The man who came out of the vault
a slim, dark compfoxioned man, with a
black mustache-then called to the
other to seize the silver which was lying
lcoso (about fifteen dollars) and put it
in the sack. They did not do this, but
seized about twelve dollars in scrip, and |
put it into two bushel -four sack which
they had with them. The dark COM
plexioned man, who appeared to be the
leader, then again attacked Haywood,
insisting upon his opening the safe,
threatening to cut his throat if he did
not, and actually drawing big knife
across his throat. The heroic apd
faithful teller, however, was not to be
deferred from his duty, and would
rather sacrifice his life than betray his
trust Some few moments-it seemed |
ages to the bewildered and terror
stricken lockers on-were spent in Hwy
woods struggling to break from the
mur,lerous villain and gain his liberty.
At length be broke away, and regaining
his feet ran toward the door, crying
"Muy,ler !" The man ut once struck
him with pistol, and knocked him
down, and dragging him to the safe
door, commanded him to open it. But
the intrepid clerk stolidly refused, when
the villain shot at him but did not hit
him. Evidently the shot was intended
to intimidato rather than to injure, but
the scoundrel had reckoned without his
host, for the effect WAS lost upon Hay
wood. But upon the discharge of the
pistol Bunker made start for the back
door, and ran for dear life, one of the
robbers pursuing and firing, the shot
taking effect in the shoulder. Bunker,
however, reached the street, and ran
to DIR. Coomb's office.
The statement of Mr.. g. E. Bates,
who witnessed that pant of the affair
which occurred in the streets. is inter
esting. Mr.. Bates said that about
eleven o'clock his attention was called to
four men who came from over the river
They came over the bridge, and were
mounted on four splendid horses. The
men we're well dressed, and Mr.. Bates
says four nobler looking fellows he never