The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-08
nov HE GOT THB KEY.
The story Of n Bank Robbery that Didn't
Como by telegraph.
from the Chicago Tribune.


A few days ago about dusk stranger
called at the residence Of bank c shier In st.
Louis. and Introducing himself, said he desired
some private conversation on business OF In
portancc. The c ishier thereupon led him to
frivate ROOM gave orders that they were not to
be disturbed. seated himself. folded his ears,
communicate the object Of his visit. The man
coughed once or tw-.e, then said
" lieing the cashier OF this here financial in
stitution, Of course you keep the key Of the
safe Z"
The cashier said he did.
And YOU Know about the bank robbers that
60 round and tie and gag cashiers and their
families, and with pistols at their heads compel
them to give up the keysI'
The cashier said he did
And you've heard about the Davenport
Brothers and the Splritualists and thlngs2"
Inc cashier said no 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 80"
"Yes, sir. For S. will impart to YOU a secret
which NAV at some future time slve your life
ahu the FUNDS intrusted to your care. j Will
show YOU how to unite any series OF knots, how
ever complicated TO remove gag from your
mouth, ana. IN fact, to set yourself free. can
release myself In 2.l4lS. and with weeks lrac-
tice u bet that YOU can snow better than three
here 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've taken tue key and gone why
you Just let yourself loose aud give the ALARM
The cashier said It was a renarkabi g invention.
You bot IL II" SAID the inventor. land as
are satisfied Of my honesty In dealing with them,
III tell YOU what III do. Just let me gag and
bind you. and then III give YOU simple direc-
tons what to do, and II YOU don't unOose YOUR
self in five minutes and express YOUR eutife sat
isfact lou with The process, III give you SO II
you nnd that anu a man Of my word, yuull pay
me So"
The cashier said that nothing could he fairer.
Another thing" continued the visitor; "i'm
poor man. ANA this secret Is my Oniy stock in
trade, 50 II ask you not to teach any one else
how to do u, Tor IN wOuld spoil my business"
The cashier consented TO the arrangement.
IaNe This so Dill said the Otner. " 1t fall
you Keep IL VI YOU are satisfied. you will return
we do IT." 50 saying he took roll Of cord ard
n rag from his pockets. and with great dexterity
tied that cashier hand and foot, ana gagged bin
50 that he could not wink.
" Now you are tied pretty firmly, aln't you 2
You wouldn't think YOU could ever get loose,
would you -
The cashier looked the replies he could not
speak.
~ don't think you could myself said the in
ventor and now let me tell YOU my name IL
Jesse III. James, the notorious trdin robber, and
II YOU don't fork over that Key In three seconds
III cut your throat from ear to eur. | beg your
no trouble" and. turning That cashier over on
his back like turtle, he took the KEY. II won't
take YOUR pocketbOok," he said, for the $lU is
yours" rs l don't think you Will be able To yet
loose In i've minutes. or i've hours either. So
long, sonny and, with a courteous bow. he
quilted the apartment. and proceeded to toe
bank. winch lie rined Is completely aud leisurely
as II he had been one OF the directors. Tue sad
event has cast gloom over the community.