The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-17
A VALUABLE YALTSE.


the robbery of tho City National bank
of l., KY, and the sudden disappear
ance of its teller. Harry w. Swope. AS
usual in such cases, he had been a trusted
employee, member of the church and a
society young man. The robbery was
particularly cool one, the gentleman
having quietly slipped 100000 in notes
into valise on the previous Saturday
afternoon after bank hours and walked
out into the cold world.
That was the last seen of him, and it
was not until after the bank opened OH
Monday morning that any one suspected
anything wrong. The affair created an
immense sensation. Society" was shock
ed, the church scandalized and the bank
directors furious. Thencwspapers print
ed long stories of the Dr. Jelsyll and Mr..
Hyde sort of existence the young man
had led for number of years. and
numerous friends of the "latcly DEPART
ed' knowingly shook their heads us they
told the reporters that they knew some
thing like that was sure to happen soon.
This sensation SO interested me that
when l reached Cincinnati | scarcely
realized the express was, us usual. an
hour behind time and had failed TO make
connection with the train to l.. I
should therefore be compelled to fake
tho last train going west that might.
which would cause me to stop over night
III a one horse town i'll Indiana that did
not contain Il comfortable hotel.
knew Mr.. Swopc by sight having
come In contact with him on Il number
of occasions while doing business with
the bank OF which he was teller. The
L. papers | bought III the Union de-
pot gave further details of the affair
and contained also the announcement
that the bank directors had offered re-
ward of 81 900 for Swope's capture and
III per cent OF tho cash returned, which
would make total of $40, 900 if the ras-
cal was caught before he got rid of his
booty
After eating an unsatisfactory lunch
took seat i'll the general waiting room
of the depot and ruefully awaited INV
train. AS did so noticed ayounp man
approach my seat, and placing his va
Use on the floor alongside my own, to
which it bore strong resemblance, sit
down while he looked cautiously around
at the clock on the wall and then at the
OluCltlS moving ABOUT.
How long he sat beside me l don't re-
member, but after time he slowly arose
and walked over to the telegraph office
at the farther end of the room. Before
he came back strong lunged Individual
III uniform stepped up to me and bawlcd
out the names of the towns which the
train about to start was bound for. Hur-
riedly picking up my valise, l made
straight for the gate and was soon aboard
my train for the west.
The journey was made with the usual
discomfort and monotony. The depot
at N y, Ind, where l had to
stop over from 10 p. III. till tho next
morning, had been rebuilt since my last
visit to that town, and remembering too
well my hotel experience there a wear
before l resolved to spend one night in
the depot waiting room with q few
other passengers who shared my mis-
fortune.
All that night the face of the stranger
who had occupied a seat beside me in the
Cincinnati depot haunted me. There
was something about him that reminded
me of Teller Swope. He was just his size
and build. His mustache, to be sure.
was wanting, but that he should shave
Off this appendage was to be considered
matter of course. The gold spectacles
he wore very much resembled those |
had associated with tho face of the intel
lectual looking teller, and had observed
on his fingers number Of rings, iewelry
that Mr.. Swope was said to be very par
tial to. AS turned the matter over i'm
my no r
had lost splendid chance of capturing
the thief and securing $4,000 reward.
When o'clock at last came round, l
boarded the train for IL, not in the
best of humor, and two hours later ar
rived at homo feeling very blue After
taking slight breakfast, went down
to the office, where the big robbery was
still the talk Of the clerks. Each of
them had theory Of his own as to
where the thief had gone, and when they
appealed to me for my opinion 1 dole
fully recounted my experiences Of the
previous evening. Of course they unani-
mously agreed with Inc that had very
foolishly allowed the fugitive teller to
slip out of my fingers.
Just before going out to lunch mes
senger boy languidly entered the Office
ana handed me note from my wife.
Thinking il was the usual commission to
get yard or two of goods like the sam
pie Enclosed" thrust it into my pocket
and started out to dinner. | had not
gone fr before | suddenly stopped and
took out ihc envelope the boy had given
me, opened 1t and read it. AT first could
not understand what it all meant; then
| turncd it over and went through it
again. 1t ran as follows: