The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-05-30

LONGvIEvV, Tex, May 23.-At D. m.
today two rough-looking men walked
into the First national bank one with
a slicker on. with a Winchester concealed
in its folds He handed the following
note to President Joe Clemmons:
HOME, May %.
First National Bank, Longview;
This will introduce TO you Charles
Speckelmeyer, who wants some money
and Is going to have It. B. & F."
1t was written in pencil, m a fairly good
hand, on the back of a printed poster.
The bank cashier thought il was an i'm
Fortunate subscription to some charity
and started to donate, when the robber
pointed his Winchester at him and told
him to hold up The other robber rushed
into the side wire door and grabbed the
cash. Tom Clemmons and the other
bank officials were ordered TO hold up
their hands. The robbers hurriedly
emptied the vaults, securing $1,000 and
seven unsigned Longview bank notes,
which may lead to detection.
While this was going on two Of the
robbers were in the rear alley Of the
bank shooting at every one who ap-
peared, and were being fired on by City
Marshal AUckley and Deputy VIII
Stevens.
The firing made the robbers in the bank
very nervous and they hurried the bank
officials out and told them 10 run TO the
horses and to mount This was done in
order TO keep the posse from shooting.
but as bullets flew thick and fast the
bankers tore loose and ran around the
corner with several shots after them.
George Buckingham, who was shooting
at the robbers, was shot and killed While
he was down the robbers shot at him
several times.
City Marshal Muckley, who was shoot
ing at another robber, received a VIM
chester ball in the bowels. The ball
glanced from silver dollars he had in his
pocket, which may save his life. The ball
passed through the cavity.
J w. Mcqueen, saloOnkeeper, thinking
the shots were for fire, ran out in the
alley and was shot in the body and, il
is thought, MORALLY wounded
Charles 5. Leonard was walking
through the court house yard and was
shot in the leg. necessitating amputatioa,
and Theodore Somers was shot in the left
hand.
stevens Bags One.
Deputy Will Stevens was not hurt.
though he stood in short range and killed
one of the robbers.
The bankers al escaped unhurt except
T. z. Clemmons who. in the scuffle with
the robber, got his hand in the hammer
of the robbers pistol. which came down
and cut a hole in his hand.
The robbers who stood graTd In the
alley would yell at every one who came
in sight and shoot at them instantly.
When the robbers rode away and saw
one of their comrades dead they re-
marked:
poor Bennett is dead"
The body Of the dead robber was soon
identified as George Bennett a reckless
fellow, who had been here some months
ago. and married a daughter Of a re-
suectable farmer living near this place,
but left her and went TO the Indian ter
TftOry The dead robber was dressed
like a cowboy, with high heeled boots
and spurs and had on a belt full Of
cartridges and two double action revolt
vers His horse. which was captured.
had 500 rounds of ammunition strapped
10 the saddle.
Another OF the robbers. the man who
gave President Clemmons the note, was
identified by several here. He married
a respectable young lady in Pamela coun-
ty last fall, but later went to Mexico,
and has not been heard of since until
today. He was well known. having
worked near here. 1t is thought Bennett
has a relative In the gang. II so only
one remains to be identified.
Posse In Pursuit.
The robbers rode rapidly out Of town.
displaying their firearms and the money
they had secured. An armed posse was
soon in pursuit, and when last heard OF
was fifteen minutes behind them.
The bank has offered $500 for their ar
rest. dead or alive, and the citizens sup
plemented the amount by 5000.
Deputy John Howard was shot at If
teen times, but was not hurt.
He emptied his pistol several times
and wounded one of the robbers in the
face. No less than 200 shots were fired
The robbers started out of town, going
by the home of George Bennett. They
met a farmer four miles north Of here
and took his hat and gave him an old
one and told him 20 tell the posse &c
come on; that they were going TO keep
on the big road