The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-01-18
THE STORY OF A CRIME
HOW THE MERCHANTS BANK MES
SENGEA WAS ROBBED.
One of the Principals i'm the Famous
Affair Relntcs the True Story of the
RObbery-MOrris, Whj Was Not
Cnught, Took the Geld.

ST Paul, Jan. 17.-How Messenger
Renaldo Lares, of the Merchants Ma
tional Bank, was robbed of IS, 600 in gold
has never been truly related, in spite OF
the many stories that have been pub
lished and told. At last the real facts
in the famous performance are revealed,
and they come from one of the men who
had a hand in the job. The information
comes in such a direct way that there Is
no reason to discredit it, and, indeed,
the authorities are confident that the
truth at last has come to light.
The story accords with all the facts
in the possession of the police, and veri-
fies all their theories. 1t is a straight
forward tale Of a famous crime that
was concocted many miles from st. Paul,
and executed exactly as it was planned.
Had the subordinates in the job acted
strictly in accordance with the orders of
their chief, they never would have been
suspected of the crime, and the two
men now Willing away ten years in the
penitentiary would at this moment be
free and in position to enjoy their
spoils At the time Of the trial of Tom
Fleury and Old Man Meiggs, County
Attorney Butler was in possession Of
most of the real facts in the robbery,
but the law restrained him from develop
ing them in court
The plans for the robbery were con-
cocted in San Francisco. 1t was there
the five men came together. Fleury
and Miller were from Australia. Morris
came from 'anywhere." Howard is Il
gambler and hard luck threw him into
the company of the others. He was
away dawn on his luck,' he was almos
STRIVING and ready for any job that
,,l, NIni~ ic q
icon" man and one of the cleverest IN
the country. He was totally unused to
such vigorous and daring jobs as the
bank robbery and his nerve failed him
at the last moment.
On the morning of Aug. IA Morris ex-
plaiEed the job to his pals. They Were
we'll drilled, and expressed themselves as
ready for the act. A few minutes pre-
yitus to the robbery they met on the
col err of Jackson and Fifth streets and
rete ived their final instructions. 1t will
be remembered that they were seen there
in conversation about Ills that day
When Messenger Lares and Porter Ja-
cobs were seen coming from the Mer-
clients bank whit heir golden burden
between them the robbers approached
flon, various points and made way fol
the bank. Morris, Howard and Fleur.
entered the bank proper, and Meiggs
was left in the doorway as Il ''stall.
His instructions were to block LARS il
case the latter discovered the robber.
in time to give chase. Fleury was no
the Tip toe as has been commonly sup
posed Morris had essayed to play tn,
part himself, but Howard was selected
70 play the leading role. He acquitted
himself with credit as it proved. Whel
Lares had deposited the sacks of gold OF
the window sill Howard was standing OF
his left hand. AS Lares started to rea,
his clearing house certificate How ar,
dropped 81 bill on the floor. He wa
so close to Lares that when he stopped
to pick up his bill his hips gave tn
messenger sharp nudge and attracte,
his attention away from the gold.
Lares turned to see what had jolte
him. Howard was just in the act o
picking up the bill he had purposl
dropped. AS he arose the messenge
was still looking at him.
81 thought it was FIVE" said Howar
with a smile, and Lares made some It
mark to thu effect that it was too ba
it was not
Lares action in turning toward Howar
was fatal. In that brief instant Morri
who stood close to him on the other sid
the bags of gold and passed it quickly
Fleury, who was standing behind hir
Fleury tucked the sack under his co:
and made for the doorway, Morris clo
to his heels.
Reacoing the door Morris was asto,n
ed to notice that Meiggs had gone. F
ground his teeth with rage and himse
acted as. the block to Lares rs the latt
came through the open door an insta
later. Howard was with the messenge
and they We're talking together excited
as they came out.
Howard told Lares that the thief h;
run toward the Merchants National ban
When Lares was out of sight the fl
men met around the corner, whe
Meiggs was given the money. TIL
then went to their boarding house, VIII
the money was divided. Morris, t.
leader, is the only man who was Il
captured. Howard and Miller are yet
be tried.