Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1889-04-11
DARING BANK ROBBERY.


DENVER, March 90 The boldesi
and most successful bank robbery
ever reported in the west was perpe-
trated upon the First National bank
ut = o'clock this afternoon, by which
the robber succeeded i'm getting away
with S2I 900. Yesterday morning,
Immediately after the opening OF the
bank, u well dressed man, with light
mustache and complexion and OF me-
dunn height, walked into the bank and
asked Cashier Raislein where he could
see Mr.. MOffat, who is also president
of the u. Il X. q. R'y. He was told
Mr.. Moffatt was i'm the presidents s
office, i'm the Cheeseman block. Moth
,,c more was seen OF heard OF the
stranger until this morning about IL
o'clock, when he entered the railway
office and asked to see MOffatt on
important business. lie was admit eel
to his private room and briefly stated
that he had discovered a conspiracy.
whereby the bank was to he robbed
Mr.. Moifatt told him he was very busy
at that moment, but he would be
pleased to meet him i'm his private
office ut the bank at / O'Clock. With
this the man left the building. \ few
minutes after tho hour appointed Inc
called at the bank and was shown the
president office. While remaining
standing he inquired if the cashier was
in, and was told he was at lunch. lie
then asked for n blank check for the
purpose oi showing how the robbery
was to he perpetrated. The check was
handed him and he laid 1t upon the
tahla f+e44t- ~ -A4,iftrt++-, yirr-
Il will have to do this myself" Pull
ing large revolver from his coat,
placed it at Mofiatt's head, and in a
decidedly earnest but excited manner,
said: II want S2l 900 and am going
to have it. have considered this
matter and the chances am running
and the consequences If fail and am
arrested" Mr.. Moffatt started to
argue with the man, but was stopped
with the information that it was Use
less and that he had but two minutes
in which to fill out the check beiorr
him for $2l 900, if he desired to live
Moffatt, seeing no other alternative.
filled out the check and was then
ordered to take it to the paying teller
and get il cashed. Mr. MOffatt left his
office and the man behind him with
the revolver partially concealed under
his overcOat and the muzzle almost
against MOffatt's back, marched him
behind the counter and up to the pay
ing teller with request that 1t he
Immediately cashed. They then re-
marched into Mr.. Moffatt's office with
out attracting the attention OF fifteen
or twenty clerks who were busy at
work within two feet OF where they
passed. After they had remained in
the office three or four minutes, the
rObber informed MOffatt that they
were wasting time and that he had
better step to the door and motion to
the teller to come to him, which he
did. Moffatt instructed him to bring
the money into his office, and as the
teller turned to 60, the rObber told
him he wanted twenty $1,000 bills
and 81 900 in gold. The money was
brought in and handed over to the
gentleman, who waited until the teller
had returned to his desk, backed out
to the front door. Mr.. Moffatt re-
mained standing in his door until the
fellow had reached the ecurbstOne. The
thief then raised his hat and walked
round the corner and has not been
heard of since Mr.. MOffatt is COM
pletely prOstrated with the shock.
Detectives are out after the man, but
there is no trace Of him.