Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-04-10


State street is enclosed by an iron fence,
with heavy Iron gates which arc open dur
ing the day. Tho President is in tho hubit
Of taking tin box, containing large
quantity Of valuable securities, from the
bank vault IN the morning and placing it
on shelf 10 tho closet just elluded to
during the day 10 order to have it within
oasy reach. The door of this closet is
locked by an improved spring lock with q
somewhat peculiar key.
Yesterday ubout huff past 'clook Dr.
Simonds left his room for few inmates
passing through tho back yard to State
street. This fact was noted BY John Rob
inson, tho colorcd janitor Of tho bank
building, whose house is in tho rear, aud
he began to keep lookout upon the Prcsi-
dents room. Passing it few moments
afterwards no heard ''rus,ling" inside,
thinking os he says, that DR.. Sinonds had
returned very quickly, he slightly opened
tho door and looked IN. Tho door Of the
closet on the opposite side from him was
open aud he could see
a sRANGE CoAT.TAlL
evidently belonging to some one inside The
closet and concealed by tho door. The
appendago was 10 state Of agitation indi-
outing that its possessor was working lur-
riedly and rapidly. Closing the door softly,
Robinson ran through a side door into the
main banking room and hastily requested
the gentlemen thcro to stop tho man whom
he suspected to be in tho Presidents closct,
should he attempt to pass out the front way.
lie then slipped back through the side door,
opened the one leading FROM the yard to
tho Presidents room, and entered that
apartment. As the janitor entered on this
side, young gentleman was passing out on
the other through tho directors room; and
the closet door wos closed and locked again.
TIE YOUNG GENTLEMAN
is question was cool and uncouccrncd, hand
somcly dressed, quite good looking, and
oorc drown linen bundle under his arm.
According to Robinson's suggestion, he was
stopped ns he was passing through the
banking room BY one Of the officers The
stranger was of good address, but apparently
had 10 time to waste in idle talk, as he
answered the questions put him carcessly
and cvasivcly and pushed BY Robinson,
however, had followed him out, and when
he had reachod the front door enforced his
attention by catching him by the arm and
propounding series Of queries, looking to
un explanation Of tho strange young gentlc>
mans presence in tho presidents closet.
The latter replied that ho had been to see
DR.. Simonds, and finding him out had left
note on his desk about somo books.
A PRACTICAL MAN.
Robinson appears to be man Of pract.
cal and somewhat cynical turn Of mind, for
neither the strangers gcntemanly appear.
ance aud manner nor plausible story proved
satisfactorily to him. The sharp young
man from the North and the comparatively
unsophisticated darkey we're pittcd against
one another, and for once tho former had to
submit. lie proposed to return to tho
Presidents room where he would show the
note he had left us proof of his vcracity
This was assented to, and the two went
back, Robinson following close upon tie
however tarry with him long AZ they
reached the Presidents room the stranger
suddenly dropped
HIS LITTLE BROWN BAG,
threw open tho door, and tore through the
yard like deer, with tho janitor hard after
him. Tho leader was exceedingly fleet of
foot, but Robinson proved dark horse 10
moro scuscs than one, suddenly developing
surprising capacity for rapid locomotion,
and hanging on galantly, although he
gradually lost ground; but he used his
mouth and lungs to good purpose, yelling
"Stop thief!" "Police!" DO, in stcntorian
tones. The course led through tho yard 10
State street, up State street to Chalmers,
and through Chalmers towards Church.
The contest OF this stage was still IN doubt,
and it was on open question rs to who
would win, pursuer or pursued.
oppoRTUyE POLICEMEN.
1t so happened, however, that privates
Morrissy and MeIncry, of tho police, were
walking down the West side Of Churcl,
street on their way from dinner AS they
approached Chalmers that thorouShfaro was
10 an uproar Of excitement, people running
from all quarters 10 the direction Of the
chase. Both policemen thought there was
the "biggost kind Of row" in progress.
ever in for 1t, Mac" said Morrissy, and
the. two rad towards Chalmers street. As
they did 80 the strange young gentoman
shot swiftly around the corner into Church
street, on the East side, and red in the face,
and breathing heavily, bat running well,
with Robinson good second, and the
remainder Of tho field strung out behind.
The policemen being of duty had neither
clubs nor pistols, aud hastily girdcd up their
loins for tho race. Ona venture, however,
one Of them c,led out as the stranger was
nearly opposite, "Ilut!" Charleston po-
licemen have an ugly reputation for shoot
ing when disobeyed, aud the command was