The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-04-06
NEWS AND GOSSIP.
BOLD BANK RDBBER.

/
!, Denver few days ago, gave an &C
count of the boldest and most sue
cessful robbery ever reported in tn
west. 1t was perpetrated upon tn
First National Bank in Denver, ant
the robber succeeded in gettin.
away with $21 900. Thursday morn
ing. Immediately after the opening
of the bank, well dressed man
with light moustache and complex
ion, and Of medium height, walked
into the bank and asked the assist
ant cashier where he could see Mr.
Motfatt, the president of the bank
The cashier informed him that he
could see Mr.. Moffatt, who is also
president of the Denver and Rio
Grande railway, at the presidents
office in Cheesman block. Nothing
more was seen or heard till the next
morning about 10 O'Clock, when he
entered the railway office and asked
to see Mr.. Moffatt. on important
business. He was admitted to his
private room and briefly stated that
he had discovered a. conspiracy
whereby the First National was to
be robbed of large amount OF
money Mr.. Moffatt told the man
he was very busy at that time, but
would meet him at his private office
at the bank at II O'Clock. A few
minutes after the hour named, he
was shown into the presidents Of
flee. While remaining standing he
inquired if cashier S. N. Wood was
in, and was told that he was at
lunch. He then asked for a blank
check for the purpose of showing
how the robbery was to be perre-
trated. When the check was handed
to him he laid it upon the desk in
front of Mr.. Moffatt and said: II
will have to do this myself" and
pulling q large revolver from his
coat, placed it at Mr.. Mohatt's head,
and in an earnest, but unexcited
manner, said: II want $4,000.
and am going to have it. | have
considered the matter, and the
chances | am running, and the
consequences if | fail and am
arrested. l am penniless and a
desperate man, and have been driv-
EN- during the past week to that
point where l have considered sui
eide as the only means of escape
from the poverty and misery in
which exist. You have millions,
and | am determined to have what
asked for or your life. If you
make a noise, or call man or ring
a bell, | will blow your brains out
and then blow up the building and
myself with this bottle of nitro
ylycerine, (Which he then pulled
out Of another pocket). Now take
your choice" Moffatt started to
argue with the man but was stop !
ped with the information that it
vas useless, and that he had but
TWO moments in which to fill ou,
he check before him for $21 GOO if
ne desired to live. Moffatt, seeing
no other alternative, filled out the
check and was then ordered to take
t to the paying teller and get it
Mr.. Moffat left his office,
and with the man behind him with
he revolver partially concealed un-
Ter his overcoat. and with the muz-
lie almost against Moffstt's back,
marched him behind the counter
md up to paying teller Kelley, With
he request that it be Immediately
They then remarched into
Motfatt's office without attracting
he attention of one of the fifteen or
wenty clerks who were busy at
work within two feet of where they
passed. After they had remained
n the private Office three or four
the robber informed Mr..
lotfatt that they were wasting time
md that he had better step to the
loor and motion his teller to come
o him, which he did. Motfatt in
tructed him to bring the money
nto his office, and as the teller
urned to 60 away, the robber told
lim he wanted twenty $1,000 bills,
nd thousand in gold. The money
vas then brought in and handed
yer to the gentleman who for
ew brief moments had owned the
'ank, and waiting until the teller
lad reached his desk, he backed out
o the front door, making Mr.. Mof-
att remain standing in his door
ntil he had reached the curbstone.
lie then raised his hat and walked
round the corner, and has not vet
cen heard of. Mr.. Mofatt is COM
letely Frustrated with the shock.
are after the man. The
obber introduced himself as c.. J. {
Wells, but no doubt that is an as I
lmed name. The chief of police t
as offered $500 reward for the G
rrest of the robber, and gives the /
blowing description: Age about !
1irty-seven years; height 5 feet s I
lches, swarthy complexion, weight S
40 pounds, heavy brown nous G
lche, badly sunburned, derby hat, c
ght brown overcoat, wears long G
nked plated watch chain. There b
:u. :A. ~ T.