Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-08-21
DARING BANK ROBBBR.
A Reckless Bandit Secures
$1,000 in Ohio.
After Killing a Farmer, He Shoots
Two Others and Escapes.

A reckless bandit OF the Jesse James order
entered the Keystone Bank at Columbus
Grove a small town near Lima, Ohio, about
O'clock on a recent day aud shot the cashier
and another man, terriorized the whole town,
and escaped with Sl2OO that he took from the
bank.
The man is described as about five feet
seven inches tall, Of heavy build, with full
face and small black moustache. He wore
black alpaca Skull cap, long alpaca sack coat,
blue striped trousers. AMI no vest.
He appeared TO be about thirty-fve years
old. He jumped off a freight train that
morning. and going to the hardware store of
John Crawford asked to see some revolvers.
He selected two and asked the storekeeper
toload them. When Mr.. Crawford had done
SO, his customer cooly pointed the pistols at
his head an said:
''pII pay you in cold lead if you want me
to-"
He then left the store and went to the
keystone Bank near by I. j. Maple is
cashier. He had opened the bank as usual
in the morning. heavy business was ex-
pected, and he had taken out $1,000 in green
backs and had placed them near the paying
tellers window. To protect money lying on
the counter plate glass about two feet high
runs around the top of the desk.
Sitting on a chair in the LOBBY was O. L.
SYfOrd big, strong man. and courageous
His chair tilted back and he was chat
ting with the cashier. who was not yet busy.
Suddenly man entered the bank. In
each hand he fourished a revolver. He cast
his eyes wildly about the room, and without
a word began shooting.
The first ball flew harmessly through the
air and lodged in the wall above the CASH
ier's head
Before Mr.. Maple could make a move to
secure the revolver that was always kept in
his desk for such an emergency a second
rlcrl1t
Another shot folio ed and the cashier fell
from his chair pierced in the side. Turning
to Syford, the desperate spoke for the first
time, and in foul language ordered him not
to stir or he would meet similar fate.
At this iuncGure William Vandemarl< ap-
pearei on the scene. He was a prominent
farmer living in Union Township. He hal
driven into town that morning with some
hogs and received a check the bank for
his money.
The desperate man without word faced
the old farmer and levelled his revolver
The unfortunate victim had turned half way
around when the ruffian fired.
The ball struck him In the side just above
the thigh, and passed almost through his
body. He fell bleeding and senseless. Still
Syford sat Mortified and spellbound.
That evening Vandemark died. With his
revolvers the robber broke the plate glass,
and showing his arm through the ragged
aperture raked all the money amount
'ng to about $1,000 and thrust it into
-;he side pocket of his long sack coat. By
this time several people had been attracted
by the sounds of the shots. The desperate
realized that it was time for him to be
moving. Again brandishing MS revOlvers
he dasned out on the street. There was
wild scattering on tha part of the people.
No one was looking for thieves and muir
derers and there was not weapon in the
crowd. One poor fellow failed to get out Of
the way in time
Henry Buck fell pierced by ball from the
revolver that already scored two victims.
The robber fired several times and shouted:
''I'm a second Jesse James,
The fellow ran down an alley and was last
seen disappearing into a big corntield at the
edge of town.
W. Z. Maple brother of the cashier came
to Lima, and the local police and citizens
from there and all towns near by went in
fruitIess pursuit OF the rObber.
1t has been learned that after the chase
was given up that night the man stopped
with some laborers building pipe line about
two miles east of Beaver Dam, and at the
crossing of the Lake Erie Railroad at point
one mile west of BlutftOn.
He went into pasture and stole black
mare four miles east of Button, and fol-
lowed a farmer and his family home who
had been attending a show. With the ready
revolver he compelled them to get him
meal The stolen horse was tied to the
branches of tree by rope halter during
his stay at this place, and an attempt was
made to buy buggy and harness or even a
birdie from the farmer but in vain.