The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1889-04-04
a COOL ROBBERY.
The President of a Denver Bank Compelled
to Draw His Check For s2 1, 900 and Get
1t Cashed BY n Cool But Daring Thief.

The President of Denver Bank Compelled
to Draw His Check For s21, 900 and Get
1t Cashed BY a Cool But Daring Thief
DENVER, Col, March 3o.-The boldest
and most successful bank robbery ever
reported In the West was perpetrated
upon the First National Bank at two
O'Clock yesterday afternoon, the robber
succeeding in getting away with $21, 900.
The cashier of the bank gave the follow
ing account of the affair: Thursday
morning Immediately after the opening of
the bank, well dressed man, with light
mustache and complexion and sf medium
height, walked into the bank and asked
Assistant Cashier Ross levin whore he
could see Mr.. Moffett, president of the
bank. Mr.. Levin informed him that he
could see Mr.. Moffett, who is also presi-
dent Of the Denver & Rio Grande railroad,
at the presidents office in the Cheeseman
block. Nothing more was seen or heard OF
the stranger until yesterday morning about
ten O'Clock when he entered the railway
office and asked to see Mr.. Moffett on inn
portant business He was admitted to his
private room and briefly stated that he
lad discovered conspiracy whereby the
First National Bank was to be robbed of
a large sum Of money. Mr.. Moffett told
but would be pleased to meet him at his
private Office In the bank at one o'clock.
With this the man left the building. A
few minutes after the hour appointed, he
called at the bank and was shown into the
presidents office. While remaining
standing he inquired If the 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
robbery was to be perpetrated.
''The check was handed him. He laid it
upon the desk in front of Mr.. Moffett and
said: 4 will have to do this myself and
pulling a large revolver from his coat,
placed it at Mr.. Moffett's head and in a de-
cidedy earnest but unexcited manner,
said: i want $2l, 900 and am going to
have it. | have considered this matter and
the chances | am running and the conse-
quences if fail and am arrested. / am
penniless and desperate man and have
been driven during the past week to that
point where | have considered suicide as
the only means of escape from the pow
erty and misery in which exist You
have millions. | am determined to have
what have asked for. If you make a
noise, call a man or ring 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 his pocket), Now take your choice
Moffett 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 be-
fore him for $2l, 900 If he desired
to live. Moffett, seeing no other alterna-
native, filled out the check and was then
A~l- al i
get it cashed. Mr.. Moffett left his office,
and with the man behind him with the
revolver partially concealed under his
overcoat, and with the muzzle almost
against Moffetts back, marched him be-
hind the counter and up to Paying
Teller Kelley, with the request that the
check be Immediately cashed. They then
marched into Moffett's office without at
tracing the attention 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 robber in
formed Mr.. Moffett that they were wasting
time aud that he had better step to the
door and motion his teller to come to him,
which he did. Moifett instructed him to
bring the money into his Office aud as the
teller turned to go away the robber told
him he wanted twenty 81. 900 bills and
1000 in gold. The money was brought
in and handed over to the gentleman
who for few brief moments had owned
thu bank, and, waiting until the teller had
reached his desk, he backed out to the
front door, making Mr.. Moffett remain
standing in his door until he had reached
the curbstone. 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 man who committed the robbery in
troduced himself as c. ]. Wells. A re-
ward Of 81 300 has been offered for his ar
rest,