The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-04-04
ROBBED.
The Boldest and Most Successful
Ever Perpetrated IN the
West-s2l, 900 Taken.
A Robber Places a Pistol to the
Head of a Denver Bank
President.

DENVER. March 29.-The boliest and
most successful bank robbery ever perpe-
trated in the west was committed upon
the First National bank at 2 O'Clock this
afternoon. The robbers succeeded in get
ting away with $4,000. The cashier OF
the bank, in an interview with an Asso.
dated Press reporter few minutes after
the robbery, gave the following account of
the affair:
Yesterday morning Immediately after
the opening of the bank we'll dressed
man with light moustache and complexion
and of medium height walked into the
bank and asked Assistant Cashier Ross
Irwin where he could see MIR. Moffatt,
president of the bank. The assistant
cashier informed him that he could see
Mr.. Moffatt, who is also president of the
Denver and Rio Grande railroad, at the
presidents Office in the Cheeseman building
Nothing more was seen or heard of the
stranger until this morning about 10
O'Clock, when he entered the railway Office
and asked to See Mr.. Moffatt on i'm portant
business. He was admitted to his private
room, and briefly stated that he had dis
covered conspiracy whereby the First
National bank was to be robbed of large
amount of money. Mr.. Moffatt told the
man he was very busy at that moment,
but would be pleased to meet him at his
tn N41tsn h. 81. l.
With this the man left the building. A
few minutes after the appointed hour he
called at the bank and was shown into the
presidents office. While remaining stand
ing he enquired if Cashier S. N. Wood was
in, and was told that he was at
lunch. He then asked for blank check
for the purpose of showing how the rob-
berry was to be perpetrated. lie laid it
upon the desk in front of Mr.. Moffatt
and said
81 will have to do this myself
Pulling large revolver from his coat
he placed it at Mr.. Moffatt's head, and, in
a decidedly earnest and unexcitei man
ner, said:
81 want $4,000, and am going to have
it. l have considered this matter and
the chances l AMI running, and the conse-
quences If fail or am arrested. l am a
penniless and desperate man, and have
been driven, during the past week, to that
point where l have considered suicide rs
the only means of escape from the pow
erty and misery in which 1 exist.
You have millions. 1 am determined to
have what have asked for. If you make
a noise, call man or ring the bell l will
blow your brains out and then blow up
the building and myself with this bottle of
glycerine," which he at that moment
pulled out of another pocket.
"Now, take your choice"
Moffatt started to argue with the man,
but was stopped with the information
that it was useless, and that he had but
two minutes in which to fill out the check
before him for $21, 700 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 it
cashed. The money was brought in and
handed over to the gentleman, who for a
few brief moments had owned the bank,
and waiting until the teller had reached
his desk he backed out to the front door,
making Mr.. Moffatt remain standing in
his door until he had reached the curb
stone, 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.