The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
DARING BANK ROBBERY.
THE L0NGVIEW, TEXAS, FIRST
NATIONAL LOOTED.

A Gang Invade the Institution and
Begin to Shoot at Once-They Get
a Lot of Money, XIII One Citizen,
Iniure Several Others, Lose One OF
Their Own Men, and Dash Away.
At3p. N. a few days ago two rough-look-
inc men walked into the First National Bank
at Loneview. Texas. One had rife con-
cealed under his coat. He handed this note
to President Clemmens.
HOME, May %.
First National Bank. Longview:
This will introduce to you Charles Speck-
,lemeyer, who wants some money anI Is
II was written in pencil legibly on the
hack of printed poster. The bank Presi-
dent thought II a subscription to some caar-
ity. and started to ask for particulars, when
the stranger pointed his rifle at him and
told him to hold up his hands
The other man rushed into the
side wire door and grabbed the cash.
Tom Clemmens, cashier, and the otner oank
officials also were ordered to hold up their
hands. The robbers hurriedly emptied the
fills fills and went into the vaults. securing
10000 and three s1O and nine 800 unsigned
Lonpyiew 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 fired
on BIZ City Marshal Muckleroy and Deputy
Marshal Will Stevens. The firing made the
robbers in the bank nervous, and they hur-
ried the bank officers out and told tnem 10
run. This was done to save their lives.
Bullets few thick and fast, and the Dank
men fastened around the corner with seTerai
shots fylng after them. George Buckln2ham,
who was shooting at the robbers In the alley.
was shot and killed. While he was lying on
the Ground the robbers shot at him several
times. CITY Marshal Muokleroy, who was
shooting at another robber, received O ball
In the abdomen. The ball glanced up from
some silver dollars he had in his pocket, but
It was partly spent. J. W. Mcqueen,
saloon keeper, thinking the SHOTS were loe
fire alarm, ran out In the alley ana was snot
in the body and 1t was thought mat ne "aS
mortally wounded.
Charles 8 leonard was walking through
the Court House ward and was shot IN the
leg. necessitating amputation. L. Z. sum,
mers was shot in the left hand. Deputy VIII
Stevens was not hurt, though ne STOOD IN
short range and killed one OF the roDoers.
The bank officials all escaped unhurt, e1-
cept T. E. Clemmens, who In the scune WIKI
the robbers got his hand where the manner
of a robbers pistol came down, anu was
badly hurt. A., ou,,
The robbers who stood guard In the alley
would veil at every one who came III sight
and shoot instantly. The robbers so terror,
led the community that they escaped and
rode away. The body OF the dead roooef
was soon identified as George Bennett
The dead robber was dressed ike COW,
bov. with high-heeled boots and spurs, and
a bslt full Of cartridges, and two double
action reyo!yere. His horse, which was
captured, had 800 rounds OF ammunition
strapped to the saddle. Another OF the ron-
hers. Jim Jones. the man who gave Presl.
dent Clemmens the note, was tdentlneo oy
several. He married q respectable young
woman near Beckville last fall, but later
went to Mexico. he was well known at
Lonpytew, having worked at mill four
miles from there. It Is thought Bennett mas
a brother in the gang II so, only one man
remains to be identified. a.
The robbers rode rapidly out OF town, GUS
playing their firearms and the money tney
had GOT. An armed posse was soon IN put-
suit and when last heard OF was nIleen
minutes behind them. The bank onereo
$500 for their arrest, dead or alive, ana oe 1ae
citizens supplemented the amount Dy SZoo
more.
Deputy John Howard was shot at aoout
fifteen times but not hurt. He empt1ed MS
pistol several times and wounded one rooper
In the face No less than 200 shots were
fired. The robbers started out OF town, go
ING BIZ the home of George Bennetts Vile
and the mill where Jim Jones worked.