Huntsville gazette., 1885-03-07
A DARING SCHEME

To Rob the Nebraska State Treasurer Frus-
trated BY a Pal, Who "Gives the Snap
Away"-One of the Robbers Killed and
the Other Captured by Detectives Lying
in Wait.
LINCOLN, NEB., March 2.-The city
was thrown into fever of excitement
yesterday afternoon by one of the most
daring, though unsuccessful attempts 1T
robbery that has ever occurred in Lin
coin. Had it not been for the services of
. stool pigeon, who gave information to
the detectives while acting as one of the
thieves, the boldness of the scheme and
the lack of preparation in the place at
tackled would have undoubtedly crowned
the crime with success. The thieves had
planned well their escape, but owing to
the work of the stool pigeon the officials
in the State Treasurer's office were also
we'll prepared for the expected visit.
About two O'Clock, while both houses
of the Legislature were in session, three
men entered the Treasurer's Office in the
capitol, drew revolvers and said to
Deputy Treasurer Bartlett, who stood
behind the railing,
"HOLD UP YOUR HANDS,"
and the muzzles of pistols almost touched
his head through the railing. Bartlett an
swered: "What does this mean, men?
Is it fooling or business?" but his hands
went up all the same. "No talk" re-
torted man who appeared to be the
leader, 'just hand out your money, and
be quick about it.' Bartlett passed over
a package of gold and notes. "Here it Isl
help yourselves" Two men took the
money and backed toward the door, the
third presenting a cooked revolver at the
head of the Deputy Treasurer, and warn
ing him not to stir on peril of his life.
OFFICERS ON HAND.
The loud tone in which Bartlett told
them to help themselves was signal to
Detectives Pound and Davis, who were
concealed in an adjoining room, and they
at once sprang after the retreating rob-
bers, who fed through the public door of
the office. The detectives were about
ten yards behind the robbers, and cried
"Halt." One of the robbers was a Grip
pie, and little distance behind his COM
panion. Fearing capture, he turned about
with his revolver on the detectives.
Pound leveled shotgun in twinkling
and got in the first shot, the robber fall
ing with charge of buckshot in his body.
chase was then made for the other,
who was caught before he could
reach horse which he had tied to post
fifty feet from the door of the building.
The third man, instead of following his
companions, jumped through rear win
dow and escaped. Few noticed the fact
till afterward, and no effort was made to
overtake the one who made good his es-
cape. There is no clew to his where
abouts, and he was not recognized as any
one known about here.
The money was recovered by Pound,
amounting to about $500, and returned
to the Treasurer's office.
THE ROBBERS.
The wounded robber was carried into
the building, his companion being guard
ed by Davis in a back room. Their
names are Jim Griffin and A. Mcguire,
Griffin being the cripple who received the
charge Of buckshot. A physician was
summoned and examined the wounds.
There was little internal hemorrhage, but
he bled profusely from the mouth, his
right lung evidently having been shat
tered bv the shot There is no hope
of his recovery. Mcguire was taken to
Jail. 1t transpires that the plot has been
known to detectives some time, the third
robber, name unknown, being the sup
posed informant of the detectives. Every
thing was prepared for the reception of
the thieves, care being taken that no
harm should come to the one who es-
capped. Great excitement prevails through
out the city. Banks will be more care
fully guarded for some time to come, 1t
being rumored that other schemes are on
foot by members of a notorious gang.
THE DEAD ONE.
Some Indignation is expressed at the
killing of Griffin, it being claimed that
there was no chance of his escape. De-
tective Pound, however, holds that II
Griffin had not received buckshot he
(Pound) would have undoubtedly been
the recipient of the revolver bullet. Grif-
fin has wife and several children living
in to wn, and has been sick for consid-
erable time, having lost portion OF one
leg few years ago. His family are liv-
ing in poverty, and he being unable TO
provide for them otherwise took this
means of replenishing their finances.
ABAD GANG.
Mcguire is well known in police cir
cles, having served several terms in re-
formatory institutions. The city is in
tested with bad characters at present
who have never been known here before,
and it will not be surprising if other
schemes of a similar kind are at
tempted. Every precaution IS belng
taken by citizens who will deal promptly
E l. L. ind