The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-13
DARING BANK ROBBERY.
THE ELONGVIEW, TEXAS, FIRST
NATIONAL LOOTED.

A Gang Invade the Institution and
Begin to Shoot at Once-They Get
Lot Of Money, Kill One Citizen,
Iniure Several Others, Lose One Of
Their Own Men, and Dash Away.
Asp. m. few days ago two roush-look.
Ing men walked into the First National Bank
at Longview, Texas. One had rife con.
cealed under his coat. He handed this note
TO President Clemmens:
HowE, May %.
First National Bank Longview:
This will introduce to you Charles Speck-
lemeyer, who wants some money and Is
going to have it. B. and +.
It was written in pencil legibly on the
hack of printed poster. The bank Presi-
dent thought it subscription to some char
ity, and started to ask for particulars. when
the stranger pointed his rifle at him AID
The other man rushed into the
side wire door and grabbed the cash.
Tom Clemmens, cashier, and the other bank
officials also were ordered to hold up their
bands. The robbers hurriedly emptied the
tills and went into the vaults, securing
$4,000 and three $40 and nine 800 unsigned
Longview bank notes, which may lead to de-
lection.
While this was going on two confederates
were In the rear alley shooting at every one
who appeared. They were soon being hred
on by City Marshal Muckleroy and Deputy
Marshal Will Stevens. The firing made the
ried the bank officers out and told them to
run. This was done to save their lives.
Bullets flew thick and fast, and the bank
men hastened around the corner with several
shots flyine after them. George Buckingham,
who was shooting at the robbers In the alley,
was shot and killed. While he was lying on
tne ground the robbers shot at him seVeral
times. City Marshal Muckleroy, who was
shooting at another robber, received Dali
in the abdomen. The ball glanced up rom
some silver dollars he had in his pocket, Dut
il was partly spent. J. ". Mcqueen, a
saloon keeper, thinking thu shots were for
fire alarm, ran out in the alley and was snot
in the body and It was thought that ne was
mortally wounded.
Charles S. Leonard was walking through
the Court House yard and was shot In the
leg, necessitating amputatlon. 1. Y. Sun, l,;
mers was shot in the left hand. Deputy VIII
Stevens was not hurt, though ne stoou 10
short range and killed one OF the roooers.
The bank officials all escaped unhure, ex'
cent n. IS. Clemmens, who in the scuft1e with
the robbers got his hand where the manner
OF robbers pistol came down, and was
badly hurt. A. o,,,.
The robbers who stood guard In the alley
uould veil at every one who came IN slgnt
and shoot instantly. The robbers so terror.
ized the community that they escaped ana
rode away. The body OF the dead roooet
was soon identified as George Bennett.
The dead robber was dressed ike COW,
boy. with high-heeled boots and spurs, ana
a belt full Of cartridges, and two double
action rerolvers. Bis horse, which was
captured, had 800 rounds OF ammunition
strapped to the saddle. Another OF the roo-
bers. Jim Jones, the man who gave ftesl.
dent Clemmens the note, was identihed py
seyeral. He married respectable young
woman near Beckville last fall, but later
went to Mexico. He was well known at
Loncvfew, having worked at mill four
miles from there. 1t Is thought Bennett mas
a brother In the gang; If 80, only one man
remains to be identified. -,
The robbers rode rapidly out OF town, dis
nIavtne their firearms and the money they
had cot. An armed posse was soon IN pur.
suit and when last heard OF was nItee9
minutec behind them. The bank onereo
$500 for their arrest, dead or alive, ana tns
citizens supplemented the amount ey eZoo
more.
Deputy John Howard was shot at about
fifteen times, but not hurt. He empt1ed MS
pistol several times and wounded one roooer
In the face. No less than 200 shots were
fred. The robbers started out OF town, SO
ing by the home OF George Bennetts vile
and the mill where Jim Jones worked.