Wichita eagle., 1889-03-30
NOVEL AND DARING.
AfBold Bank Robber Works Successful
Game at Denver.

DENVER, Col, March 29.-The boldest
and most successful bank robbery eve, re-
ported in the west was perpetrated upon
the First National bank at = o'clock this
afternoon The robber succeeded in get
ting away with $4,000. The cashier of the
bank, in an interview with an Associated
Press reporter few minutes after the rob-
berry. gave the following account of the
affair:
Yesterday morning, Immediately after
the opening of the bank, well dressed
man with light mustache and complexion
and of medium height walked into the
bank and asked Assistant Cashier Ross
levin where he could see Mr.. Moffett
president of the bank. MIR. levin in
formed him that he could see
Mr.. Moffett, who is also pres
ident of the Denver & Rio Grande
railroad. at the presidents Office in the
Cheeseman block. Nothing more was
} cen or heard of the stranger until this
morning about 10 o'clock when he entered
the railway office and asked to see Mr..
Moffet on important business lie was
admitted to his private room and briefly
stated that he had discovered a conspiracy
whereby the First National bank was to
be robbed of large amount OF money.
Mr.. Moffett told the man he was very
busy at that moment, but he would be
pleased to meet HIM at his private office
in the bank at ] o'clock, With
this the man left the building.
A few minutes after the hour
appointed be called at the bank
and was shown into the presidents
office. While remaining standing
he inquired if the cashier, 5. \. Wood,
was in and was told he was at luncheon.
He then asked fer blank check for the
e Il n ta
to be perpetrated. The check was handed
him. He laid it upon the desk in front of
Mr.. Moffatt and said: 81 will have TO do
this myself" and pulling a large revolver
from his coat placed it at Mr.. Monett' $
head and in Il decidedly earnest but uneX-
pected manner said: L want SZi,UO0 ana
am going to have it: ] have considered tins
matter and the chances | am running and
the consequences if fail and am arrested.
I am penniless and q desperate man and
have been driven during the past
week to that poinJ where ! have con-
sidered suicide as the only means OF
ESCAPE from the poverty and misery in
which ! exist You have millions. / am
determined TO have what / have asked for
If you make noise, call a man or ring q
bell | will blow your brains out and then
blow UP the building and myself with this
bottle of nitro-glycerlne (which he at that
moment pulled out of another pocket.
Now take your choice"
Moffett started 10 argue with the man
but was stopped with the information that
IL was useless and that he had but two
minutes in which to fill out the check be-
fore him for 81, 900 If he desired to live.
Moffett seeing no other alternative filed
put the check ana was then ordered TO take
;t to the paving teller and get 1t caShed.
Mr.. Moffett left his Office and with the
man behind him with the revolver par
tally concealed under his overc0at, and
with the muZZle almost against Mr.. Moi
fett's back, marched him behind the coun-
ter and up to the paying teller, keely, with
the request that the check be Immediately
rashed They then remarched into Moi
fett's Office without attracting the atten-
tion of the fifteen or twenty clerks who
were within two feet of where they passed.
After they had remained in the private
Office three or four minutes the robher In
formed Moffett they were wasting time
and that he had better step to the doora and
motion his teller to come to him, which
he did. Moffett instructed him
80 bring the money into his office,
and as the teller turned to go away the
robber told him he wanted Atwenty $1,000
bills and 81, 900 in gold. The money was
brought in and handed over to the gentle
man who for 8 few brief moments had
owned the bank, and waiting until the
teller had reached mis- desk, he backed out
TO the front door, making Mr.. Motfett re
main standing in his door until he had
reached the cnrbstone. He then raised his
hat and walked around the corner and has
not yet been heard of.
Mr. Moffett is completely Frustrated
with the shock
Detectives are out after the man but no
trace of him has been found
THE WRONG MAN ARRESTED.
The man who committed the robbery in
troduced himself as c. J. Wells. a moment
after the alarm was given by Mr.. Moffett
a man started rapidly up Sixteenth street
from the bank followed by crowd and
several officers He was followed to room
-, Hallock & Howard block, where he and
two companions were arrested and taken
to the station Mr.. Moffett arrived at
police headquarters at 4 o'clock and after
n glance at the prisoner said be was not
the man and he was Immediately released
1t is said the prisoner was well known
business man by the name of Clark.
The chief of police offered $500 reward
and gives the following description: The
mans age is about 80. height about five
feet FIVE inches, swarthy compieXtlon.
heavy brown mustache, badly sunburnt,
derby hat, light brown overcoat. wears
long linked plated watch chain.