Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1876-11-16
How he got the Key.
The Story of Bank Robbery that
Didn't Come by Telegraph.
Chicago Tribune.

Chicago Tribune.
A few days ago about dusk 3
stranger called at the residence Of
a bank cashier in St. Louis, and
introducing himself. said he desir
ed some private conversation on.
business of importance. The
cashier thereupon led him 10 \
private room, gave orders that
they were not to be disturbed,
seated himself, folded his arms.
and desired his mysterious &C
quaintance to communicate the
object of his visit The man
coughed once or twice, and then
said:
s being the cashier OF this here
financial institution, Of course YOU
keep the key Of the safe?
The cashier SAID he did.
"Aud you know about the bank
robbers that so round and tie and
gag cashiers and their families,
and with pistols at their heada
compel them to give up the keys
The cashier said he did.
"And you've heard about the
Davenport Brothers and the Spir-
itualiSts and things
The cashier said be did,
"Now," said the stranger, "Ive>
been studying up the whole bust
ness, and | have found out bow to.
Iovercome them"
''Yes, sir. For s. will I'M
part to you a secret which may
at some future time save your lie
and the funds intrusted to your
care. l will show you how to.
unite any series of knots, however
complicated; tc remove the gag
from your mouth, and, in faci, to
set yourself free. l can release
myself in 2:l49, and within a
weeks practice LII bet you can
shoW better than three minutes.
You see the advantage Of my sys-
tenn? There is no need to resist
and get SHOT; ali 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 your
self loose and give the alarm"
The cashier said it was a re.
markable invention.
"You bet it is, said the inveil-.
tor, "and as | never take any
money for it I'LL my customers are,
satisfied OF my honesty in dealing
with them, Ill tell you what III
DO. just let me gag and bind
you, and then I'll give you sia4,.
pie directions what to do, and II
you don't unlooso yourself in five
minutes ard express your entire
satisfaction with the process, III
give you $40. If you find that l
am man of my word, you'll pay
me S."
The cashier said nothing uld
be fairer.
Another thing" continued the,
visitor; I'm a poor man, and this
secret Is my only stock in trade,
so I'll ask you not to teach any
one else how to do it, for that
would spoil my business"
The cashier consented to the
arrangement.
"Take this ten dollar bill, said
the other. "If I fail, you keep it;
if you are satisfied, you return it
to me with another s.. And
now this is how we DO it." So
saying he took a roll of cord and
l 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 firm
Iy, amt you? You wouldn't
think you could ever get loose,
would you?"
The cashier looked the replies
he could not speak.
81 don't think you could my
self" said the inventor; "snd now
let me tell you my name is Jessie
Il James, the notorious train rob
Der, and if you don't fork over that
key in three seconds I'll cut your
throat from ear to ear. | beg
your pardon; you can't but III
take it myself. It's no trouble"
ard turning that cashier over Oh
his back like a turtle, he took the
key. Il won't take your pocket
book, he said, ''for that $40 il
yours, as | don't think you will
be able to get loose in five min
utes, or five hours either. So
long, sonny" and with courte-
Gus bow he quilted the apartment
and proceeded to the bank, which
he riaed as completely and leis-
urely as if be had been one of ihs
directors. The sad event has odss
a. gloom over the community,
A Chicago girl received a dis
patch from Wisconsin announcing