The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-08-24
DARING ROBBERY.
The First National Bank of Kewanee, fIl.,
Robbed of $4,000 by Two Men-The
Cashier and Lady Assistant Beaten
Insensible and Locked in the Vault.


Robbed of $4,000 by Two Men-The
Cashier and a Lady Assistant Beaten
Insensible and Locked in the Vault.
KEwASEE. H.. August Il.
Two men called at the First National Bank
during tn s afternoon, and asked permission
to leave a sachel for a while About six
O'Clock, as Cashier Pratt and Assstant-Cashier
Miss Palmer were counting up, they knocked
at the door, asking to get the saeheL Miss
Palmer opened the door, when one of them
grabbed her by the neck and choked her al
most insens bic. The other man rushed by
her toward the vault where Pratt was stand
ing. knocking him inseRsible with revolver,
after which both employees were forced into
the vault and locked up. The robbers then
taking about $4,000, One-fourth of it being In
gold, decamped. Mr.. Pratt, after working an
hour, by the aid of a ten-cent piece he had in
his pocket loosened the screws in the combi-
nation, and broke the lock and released him.
self and Miss Palmer.
One of the robbers is described as being
about six feet tall, slim, dark complexioned,
low, square Jaw, and had on stiff hat and
long linen duster; his appearance was that of
aJew. The other apparently is five feet high,
with red face, blue clothes with brass
pearl buttons, and slouch hat. He had no
beard. He carried a worn leather sachel
Parties are securing the country in every di-
rection, and great excitement prevails. For
GOODNESS, this robbery is unequaled in this sec
ton of the country.
Especial to Chicago Tribune1
KEwANEE, August Is.
Your correspondent arrived here, the scene
of last nights daring bank robbery, at
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 yeritable spirit of Jesse had materialize1
and returned. President c. G. 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 $4,000 to $200s
600. Yesterday there was $4,000 in the vaults
in gold, silver, greenbacks, bonds, and other
collateTals. Tt has been the custom to do busi-
ness with farmers after banking hours-fOur
o'clock p. m.-and frequently they would call
until six in the evening. The bank occupies the
first floor of the east half of the cty-hall. 1t
has a very strong vault of brick, five by nine
feet, and seven and one-half feet in height.
Within the vault is common safe in which the
more precious packages are kept. The Cash
ier of the bank, G. S. Wentworth has been in
st. Paul for several days. and in his place were
the assistant, young man numed J. J. Pratt,
and the book-keeper Miss Charity Palmer,
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 reeite 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
and bruised shockingly. Miss Palmer said:
After opened the door they rushed upon me
so quickly did not have time to think. One
grabbed my throat with his hand and pulled
al fba fcf fbfo off,
/ thought of shutting the door, and tried to do
it, 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 said and then don't re-
member any more. When 1 came to was in
side the vault. Then 1 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 corre-
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 wcrk was done, or rather when it
was commenced. The President had gone
home some time before, leaving in the bank
theAssistant-C -Cashier-P Pratt-and Miss Palmer.
There was rap at the window, and Mr.. Pratt,
who within the vault putting away the
money. said To ket: $50 to the door and see
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 the main room. Shs 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
fl st heard the noise, and spranR for the open
door to the Directors room, intending to close
/ hUTf hn w mt n n q
| 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 oot. 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 i've rods
| away, with their SlS,0J0 in a valise. They
| walked leisurely out OF town. Mr Pratt
| gan to release his companion. Both were weak
! from the loss of blood, and nearly sufOcated.
L He finally got hold of silver dme and, using
! this for screw-drIVer, turned two screws IN
| the combination-lock from the inside and got
! out His recital of the struggle makes it ap-
| parent that it was only by accident the two
| ing the window gave the alarm, and help was
| at hand within sixty seconds Posses were
| Immediately organized numbering I7S men
/ and the country searched all night. UP TO
| four o'clock this evening the robbers were at
1 large although they had been closely pursued
| All the shops, factories and stores have shut
| down to-day, and the fields for miles around
are filled with boys and men, with everything
/ possible and impossible in the shape of fire.
arms. The utmost excitement prevails, and
! lynching is as openly talked of as the daring