The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-03-30
BOLD BANK ROBBERY.
A Millionaire Forced to Sign a
Check for $4,000 at
THE MUzzLE OF A REVOLVER.
Hc is Then Compelled to Get 1t
Cashed in the Presence ora Score
of Clerls-A Dizzy Story That
Comes from Denver.

DENvRR, COL, March 2O,-The boldest
and most successful bank robbery ever
reported in tho West was perpetrated
upon the Fist National Bank at 9 o'clock
this afternoon, The robber succeeded
in getting away with $4,000, The
cashier Of the bank, in an interview,
gave the following account OF the rob-
berry; Yesterday morning, Immediately
after the opening Of tho bank, well
dressed man, with light mustaChe and
complexion aud medium height, walked
into the bank and asked where he could
see Mr.. MoHatt, President OF the bank,
He was informed that he could see Mr..
MOliatt IN an Office In the Chessman
block. He was admitted 10 his private
room, and briefly stated that he had dis.
covered conspiracy whereby the First
National Bank was 10 be robbed OF a
large amount OF money,
Mr.. MofIatt told the man he was very
busy at that moment, but would be
pleased to meet him ut his private Office
In the bank at ! o'clock. With this, the
man left the building, A few minutes
after the hour appointed he called at the
bank aud was shown into the Presidents
Office. Willie remaining standing he in
Quired II the cashier, S. NJ. Wood, was
In, and was told that he was at lunch,
He then asked for a blank check for the
purpose ofshowing how the robbery was
10 be perpetrated, The check was
handed him. He laid 1t upon the desk
in front OF Mr.. MotIatt and said: "lwill
have to do this myself" and pulling q
large revolver from bis coat placed It at
Mr., MolIatt's head, and in decidedly
earnest, but unexcited manner, said:
~ want $4,000, aud | am going to
have 1t. | have considered this matter
and the chances | am running and tho
consequences II | fail and am arrested.
/ am penniless, and a desperate man, and
have been driven during the past week
To that point where l have considered
suicide as the only means Of escape
from hepoverty and misery in which /
exist. You have millions. | AIN deter
mined to have what | have asked for.
II you make a noise, call a man, or ring
q bell, | will blow your brains out and
then blow up the building aud myself
with this bottle OF glycGrinCe (Which he
at that moment pulled out OF another
pocket. Now take your choice"
MoPPAT COMES TO TIMg.
MolTatt started to argue with the man,
but was stopped with the information
that 1t was useless and that he had but
two minutes in which to fill out the
check before him for $2l, 900, u no de-
sired to live. MOGatt seeing no other
alternative, filed out the check and was
then ordered to take II to tho paying
teller aud get 1t Cashed. Mr.. MofIatt
left his office, and with the man behind
him, with the revolver partially con-
Cealed under his ovefcoat and with the
muzzle almost against MoGatt's buck,
marched him behind the counter aud
up 10 paying teller Keeley, with the re-
quest that the check be immediately
casllcd. They then remurched into
MoHatts office without attracting
the attention OF the fifteen or twenty
clerks who were busy at work within
two feet Of where they passed, After
they had remained iu the private office
three or four minutes, the robber in.
formed Mr.. Molatt TINT they were vast
ing time, and that he had better step to
the door and motion his teller TO come
to him, which he did. MofTatt instruct.
ed him to bring the money into his
Office, and as the teller turned TO 60
away the robber told him he wanted
twenty $1,000 bills and $1,000 in
gold. The money was brought in and
handed over to the gentleman who, for
brief moment, had owned the bank,
and waiting until the teller had reached
his desk, he backed out 10 the front
door, making Mr.. MolIatt remain stand.
ing in his door until he had reached the
curbstone. He then raised his hat aud
walked around the corner and has not
vet been heard OF. Mr.. Mofatt Is COM
pletely prostrated with the shock. De-
tecliyes are out after tho man, but no
trace OF him can be found.
The man who committed the robbery
introduced himself to President MofIalt
as j. G. Wells; the name, however, Is
probably assumed. The excitement over
tL. I'LL. T., taNnaaa