Delta chief., 1884-10-01
ATTEMPT TO ROB A BANK.
The Plot Discovered and One of the Would-
be Robbers Slain.


be Robbers Slain.
The Tribune Republican of the oath
has the following special dated Las Vegas
Sept. %:
"a desperate attempt to rob the First Ma
tional Bank of this city eliminated this morn
in the death of James Pearson one Of the would
be robbers. A deep laid plot was disclosed. Yes
terday morning the Bank officers discovered
that the door Of the vault was difficult to open,
and upon an investigation 1t was shown that
one Of the immense stones in the floor OF the
vault had been raised half an inch. Suspicion
was arouse I and the floor was sounded, show
ing an excavation beneath. Two doors east Of
the bank is a vacant house, from the cellar
of which the mouth of the tunnel could be
seen, leading beneath the drug store adjoining
the bank.
'sNo alarm was given, but last night strong
watch was placed on the vault. The noise OF
the work was heard beneath the floor at l
O'Clock this morning, and, supposing the rob,
bers to be In the tunnel, shots were fired
through the drug store floor, and guard was
placed at the mouth of the tunnel in the Gel
lar of the vacant Ldilding. James Pearson
rushed from the hole, but he fell pierced by a
dozen bullets. He died without revealing the
names of his confederates.
ga close inspection Of the tunnel failed to
find the other robbers, and the supposition Is
that they were on the outside. The remainder
OF the gang has not been captureu, cut rlues
are in the possession Of officials who hope to
apprehend them.
IA trip through the tunnel showed long and
patient work on the part OF the rascals. Inc
tunnel Is sixty feet in length, and is construct
ed on scientific principles. 1t contained
supply of provisions and water Tor a short
space of time, and full outfit OF mining tools.
From the appearances, at least three months
have been consumed In digging the hole, and
during that time no suspicion has been felt.
Beneath the vault of the bank large chamber
was cxcavated in which were found two jack
screws which were used In raising the stone
from the floor Of the vault. The stone which
was partly raised weighed more than ton.
''There is great excitement here and the rest
of the gang will hang If they are caught.
Pearson, the dead robber, was well known
and respected, and had three thousand dol
lars on deposit with merchant here. lie
was a stonemason by trade and helped to
build the bank vault four years ago. Had the
thieves effected an entrance to the vault they
would not have secured any booty, as all OF
the valuables were placed in Yale safe, OF
an improved pattern, which could not have
been entered under twelve hours.
''The utmost confidence is felt in the bank.
ing institution, which Ia under the control OF
the well-known Reynolds Brothers, and IS
one Of the strongest financial concerns In the
West. The bank was trarsacting business
regularly to-day, and its business Will not be
affected by the attempt.
t.Bob Ford and Dick Liddell formerly mcm-
bers of the james gang in Missouri, who were
here, were ordered to leave town by the yigi-
lantes on the suspicion Of their being con-
nected with the attempted robbery"