The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-08-25
Especial to Chicago Tribune.1
KRwANRE. August

Especial to Chicago Tribune1
KEwANEE, August Is.
Ycdr correspondent arrived here, the scene
of last nights daring bank robbery, at an
early hour this morning, and has, by the con-
nected version Of all the actors save the two
principal ones, gathered the correct details Of
the horrible affair. The deed rivals in auda-
ciousness any Of the works done by the James
or Younger brothers, and it would seem as If
the veritable spirit Of Jesse had materalized
and returned. President C. c. Blish, Of the
Kewanee National Bank, occupied an hour
this afternoon in explaining how the work
was done. The bank has a capital Of $4,000,
a surplus of $4,000, and undivided profits of
$1,000 The deposits run from s15O, 900 to S:OO.-
600. Yesterday there was Sic, 900 in the vaults
in gold, silver, greenbacks, bonds, and other
collaterals. 1t has been the custom to do bust
ness with farmers after banking hours-four
o'clock p. inland frequently they would call
until six in the evening. The bank occupies the
first floor of the east half of the city-hall. 1t
has very strong vault Of brick, five by nine
feet, and seven and one-half feet in height.
Within the vault is q common safe in which the
more precious packages are kept The Cash
Ter of the bank, C. S. Wentworth, has been in
St Paul for several days. and in his place were
the assistant, young man named J. j. Pratt,
and the book-keeper, Miss Charity Palmer, a
young lady sixteen years of age. She has been
in the bank three years, and is called an expert
book-keeper. The young lady was found at
her home at noon, confined to her couch,
but she was free to recite her
story Of the crime as best she could. She was
badly bruised, there being two severe scars on
her forehead, while her face was scratched
H.
AFTER opened the door they rushed uponme
SO quickly did not have time to think. One
grabbed my throat with his hand and pulled
me along the floor through to the other room.
/ thought Of shutting the door, and tried to do
1t, but could not. He choked me and blinded
my eyes, and tried to poke his fist down my
throat. could hear them whisper, but could
not tell what they slid, and then don't re.
member any more. When came to was in
side the vault. Then / saw what the situation
was. I had my handkerchief in my hand
when went to the door, but it was partially
showed down my throat"
Then the young lady told the Tribune CORE
spondent as to how she and Mr.. Pratt began
freeing themselves, and how they finally got
out. 1t was about six o'clock last evening
when the work was done, or rather when II
was commenced The President had gone
home some time before, leaving in the bank
the Assistant- Cashier Miss Palmer
There was rap ut the window, and Mr.. Pr att,
who was within the vault putting away the
money, said tn her: 'Go to the door and zee
what is wanted" 1t had not been an unusual
thing to do. in view Of the custom alluded to
above, and when it was remembered that dur
ing the afternoon two strangers had called
and asked permission to leave a sachel,
which was readily granted. To reach the
front door Miss Palmer opened the door lead
ing into the Directors room, and also the door
out Of it into tho main room. She left both
doors ajar. The very instant she opened
the front door she was caught as she relates In
her story. Mr.. Pratt was in the vault when he
first heard the noise, aud sprang for the open
door to the Directors room, intending to close
1t; but, as he was in the act of doing so,
second robber met him with a revolver. He
was knocked down, and lay upon the floor in
sensible. Then the fiendS began pounding their
two helpless victims. They had deliberately
planned the work in all its details. They had
provided themselves with a roll of strong
bandages. With these the robbers gagged Mr..
Pratt and Miss Palmer, and tied them hand
and foot Mr.. Pratt was thrown into one cor
ner of the vault and Miss Palmer upon top Of
him. 1t was during this time of non-resistance
that the bandits took their booty. They then
locked the vault and left, going out of the front
door in plain sight Of twenty men not five rods
away, with their $4,000 in valise. They
walked leisurely out Of town. Mr.. Pratt
finally worked his hands loose and be-
gun to release his companion. Both were weak |
from the loss Of blood, and nearly suffocated. |,
He finally got hold of silver dime, and, using |
this for a screw-driver, turned two screws in |
the combination-locs from the inside and got |
put. His recital of the struggle makes it APP /,
parent that 1t was only by accident the two |
persons got out alive. Mr.. Pratt, upon reach |
ing the window, gave the alarm, and help was |
1t hand within sixty seconds. Posses were |
organized numbering It's men |
ind the country searched all night. Up to |
TOUR o'clock this evening the robbers were at |
arge, although they had been closely pursued.
All the shops, factories and stores have shut |
Town to-day, and the fields for miles around |
ire filed with boys and men, with everything |
possible and impossible in the shape Of fire |
rms. The utmost excitement prevails, and |
ynching is as openly talked of as the daring |
obbery itself.