The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-05-09

Desperate Attempt to Rob an Allegheny Saw
ings Bank.

Desperate Attempt to Rob an Allegheny Saw
ings Bank.
A thrilling scene was recently wit
messed in Allegheny City, Pa. At
Mr.. Dahlinger, bookkeeper. of the
Workingmen's Savings Bank, started
home to get his dinner, leaving the
cashier, Mr.. Walter, alone. A few
minutes after the departure of Dahlin-
ger two men entered the bank. One OF
them stopped at the door, but the other
walked up to the counter and asked the
cashier if he could change 81 note.
The cashier said he could, and, taking
the note, he picked up fsur silver quar-
tiers from large pile which was stacked
up on shelf behind the counter. AS
he turned around to give the man the
change, he was astonished to see the fell
low had drawn a Misunderstanding re-
volver. AS he caught the cashiers eye,
he said, with dreadful oath, "If you
speak, you are dead man." Mr..
Walter, realizing his critical position,
without moments hesitation grabbed
the weapon and wrenched it from the
mans hand. The accomplice, who had
had been looker-o on all this time, see-
ing his companion had been disarmed,
drew his revolver and advanced to the
rescue. The position of the cashier at
this moment was certainly most alarm
ing, but with the weapon already Sc
cured he retreated behind the heavy
oaken partition at the rear of the bank.
Both of the men, who exhibited the
most audacious boldness, jumped up on
to the counter, and, springing over the
glass framework, were within couple
of feet of the money desk, upon which
at the time was piled a sum aggregating
$4,000.
The presence of mind of the cashier
did not desert him at this juncture,
and, from his concealment behind the
rear partition, he opened fire upon the
nearest man. This, however, did not
in the least discomfort the villain, who
jumped down behind the counter. An
other shot whistled past his head just
as he was making dash at the money.
Mr.. Walter then boldly advanced from
behind the partition and fred third
time at the same man, who, seeing that
he was getting in tight place and re-
ceiving no effective aid from his accom-
plice, who had been disarmed, hastily
over the counter without Sc
curing any of the money, and, followed
by his companion, dashed out of the
bank, separating as they reached the
street, which by this time was crowded
with people drawn thither by the firing.
One of the men made his way to the
Allegheny river, where he disco vered
skiff containing two boys who had just
started to pull across the stream. The
nearest pursuer of the fellow was with
in fifty feet of him, and, evidently des-
perate, the villain pulled out his revolt
yer again, and, turning around, told his
eager follower that if he didn't stop he
would shoot. The pursuer stopped,
and then the robber hastily dashed
down into the water, and, again bring
ing his weapon into requisition, COM
PEELED the occupants of the skiff to
take him aboard. Nearly scared to
death, the boys obeyed; and then, with
the revolver pointed at their heads, the
man commanded them to row down the
river. The skiff passed under the sus-
pension bridge at high speed, and soon
reached the steamer Samuel Miller,
which was moored short distance from
the Pittsburgh shore. AS soon as the
skiff touched the steamer the man
leaped on board of her and either con-
ceNed himself in some part of the hold
or swan ashore before the crowd ar
rived.
The other desperate also succeeded
in making his escape, notwithstanding
he was pursued by q crowd of several
hundred people.