The Osceola times., 1876-09-23
A BATTLE WITH BANK ROBBERS

A BATTLE WITH BANK ROBBERS
Details OF the Raid ON the Rank nj North
field, Minn., and the Murder
Of the Teller.
The st. Paul Press and Tribune of the
ninth brings some further details of
the raid of band of eight mounted men
upon the bank at Northfeld, Mimi,
which resulted in the death of Mr.. Hey
wood, the teller of the bank, and of two
of the raiders, and in the wounding of a
citizen of Northfeld. Mr.. Wilcox, an
attache of the bank which the despera
does attempted to rob, gives the follow
ing graphic account of that event, and
Of the death of the teller
Mr.. Haywood occupied the cashiers
seat at the desk at the end of the coun-
ter. Mr.. Bunker and myself occupied
seats at the desk, Mr.. Bunker being near
est the opening in the corner. The first
thing we knew the three men were upon
or over the counter, one of them ex-
claiming, "Throw up your hands, for we
intend to rob the bank, and if you hal
loo we will blow your Cd d-n brains
out" and we could not do otherwise
than comply.
Then they asked which was the CASH
ier, to which Mr.. Haywood replied, "He
is not in." They then sprang over the
counter and demanded that the safe be
opened. Addressing each one in turn
they said, You are the cashier" which
was denied. Seeing Haywood seated at
| tho oosb;or,a 1aub nna nf tbo r,,T,,,.
went up to him with his long, narrow
barreled pistol, and said, "You are the
cashier, now open the safe you -
son ofa -" Mr.. Haywood said, "It
is time lock and cannet be opened
now." One of the men then went into
the vault, the deor being open, also the
outer door of the safe. Haywood at
once sprang forward and closed the door
of the vault, shutting the robber in,
when another of the men seized Hey
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-complexioned man with
black moustache, then called to the
other TO seize the silver which was
lying loose (about $l5) and put it
in the sack. They did not do this, but
seized about twelve dollars in scrip and
put it into a twe.bushel sack which
they had with them. The dark-complex-
ioned man, who appeared to be the lead
er, then again attacked Haywood, insist
ing upon his opening the safe, threatening
to cut his throat if he did not, and
actually drawing big knife across his
throat. The heroic and 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 bewilde,ed and
terror-stricken lookers-on, were spent in
Heywood's struggling to break from the
murderous villain and gain his liberty.
At length he broke away, and, regaining
his feet, ran toward the door, crying
murder!" The man at once struck
him with a pistol and knocked him
down, and dragging him to the safe door
commanded him to open it. But the in.
trepid clerk solidly refused, when the
william shot at him but did not hit him.
Evidently the shot was intended to in
timidate rather than to injure, but the
scoundrel had reconcd without his host,
for the effect was lost upon Haywood.
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 ef-
feet in the shoulder. Bunker, however,
reached the street water street) and ran
to DIR. Coombs' Office.
During the whole of the time four or
five men were riding up and down the
street, shooting in every direction and
Feeping up an incessant fusilade. One
of the men outside came riding up furi-
ously and called for the men to leave the
bank, The game is up" he said, "and
we are beaten"
Almost Immediately they teok the
alarm and somehow jumped over the
counter, making their exit. The small
man was last to 60. He mounted desk
at the front, and as he turned to go fired
a shot at Haywood, which do not think
is the one which took effect. Haywood
lodged behind his desk, or sank into
his chair, and as the robber made over
the desk-railing he turned, and placing
his receiver to Heywood's head, fired,
shooting him dead. He staggered for
ward and fell behind the counter. The
robbers made out of the door. l do not
remember much more that followed.
Mr.. Manning, of Mill square, whose
store is in the same block as the bank next
came upon the scene. He ran out of his
store with Remington repeating rife
and took deliberate aim, and fired
from the corner, Mr.. Bates calling out,
Jump back now, or they'll get you"
Next, Mr.. J. b. Hige came up with a
double-barrelled shotgun and discharged
the two barrels, and retired to reload.
Rev, Phillips also took turn at the
scoundrels. and l.. Stacy delivered cool
deliberate aim. Mr.. Bates next heard a
report over his head, and saw one of the
desperadoes fall from his horse. The
horse made faltering plunge forN ard
and then suddenly stopped, and the man
pitched over on his face to the ground
and in few moments was dead. This
shot was fred by Henry Wheeler, from
on old carbine, from out one Of the win.
dows of the Danpier house. Mr.. Man
| ming v~sa sfi,l 6riur and sa he mt f<