The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-10-26
HOW HE GOT THE KEY.
Tho Story Of Bank Robbery That Didn't
Come by Telegraph.


Come 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 converse
ton on business of importance. The
cashier thereupon led him to private
room, gave orders that they were not to
be disturbed, seated himself, folded his
arms, and desired his mysterious ac-
quaintance to communicate the object of
his visit. The man coughed one or twice,
then said
"Being the cashier of this here finan-
cial institution, of course you keep the
key of the safe r.
The cashier said he did.
"And you know about thn bank rob-
bers that go round and tie and gag CASH
iers and their families, and with pistols
at their heads compel them to give up
the keys2'
The cashier said he did.
"And you've heard about the Daver-
port Brothers and the Spiritualists and
things2"
The cashier said he had.
",Now," said the stranger, "Ive been
studying up the whole business, and I
have found out how to overcome them" "
You don't say soa"
eyes. sir. For $5 1 will impart to you
a secret which may at some future time
save your life and the funds intrusted to
your care. I will show you how to unite
any series of knots, however compli-
Gated; to remove agag from your mouth,
and, in fact, to set yourself free. 1 can
release myself in 2:14!, and with q
weeks practice I'll bet that you can show
better than three minutes. You see the
advantage of my system? There is no
need to resist and get shot; all you have
to do is to let them tie you up, and, as
soon as they have taken the key and
gone, why you just let yourself loose
and give the ALARM"
The cashier said it was a remarkable
| invention.
"You bet it is," said the inventor,
"and as / never take any money for il
till my customers are satisfied of my
honesty in dealing with them, I'll tell
you what I'll do. Just let me gag and
bind you, and then I'll give you simple
directions what to do, aid ii you DOM
unloose yourself in five minutes and ex
press your entire satisfaction with the
process, I'll give you $40. If you find
that am man of my word, you'll pay
me So
Tie cashier said that nothing could bt
fairer.
"Another thing" continued the visi
tor; I'm poor man, and this secret il
my only stock in trade, SO I'll ask yol
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
elf I fail, you keep it; if you are salts
fed, you will return ii to me With al
other S.. And now this is how we d,
it," So saying he took roll of core
and a gag from his pockets, and will
great dexterity tied that cashier hant
and foot, and gagged him so that h
could not wink.
"Now you are tied pretty firmly
amt you2 You wouldn't think you
could ever get loose, would you2"
The cashier looked the replies h
could not speak.
"I don't think you could myself,
said the inventor: "and now let me tel
you my name is Jesse III. James, the no
torious train robbcr, and if you don
fork over that key in three seconds II
cut your throat from ear to ear. 1 bel
your pardon; you can't, but I'll take
myself. It's no trouble" and, turning
that cashier over on his back like q tur
tie, he took the key. 81 won't tax
your pocketbook," he said, "for tn
$40 is yours" as l don't think you vii
be able to get loose in five minutes, o
five hours either. So long, sonny,
and, with courteous bow, he quite
the apartment, and proceeded to tn
bank, which he rifed as completely an
leisurely as if he had been one of th
directors. The sad event has cast
gloom over the community.