Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1894-06-01
DARING BANK ROBBERY.
THELONGVIEW TEXAS, FIRST
NATIONAL LOOTED.

A Gang Invade the Institution and
Begin to shoot at Once-They Get
Lot of Money, Kill One Citizen,
Injure Several Others, Lose One of
Their Own Men, and Dash Away.
At 8 p. IN. a few days ago two rough-look.
ing men walked into the First National Bank
at Longview, Texas. One had rifle con
cealed under his coat. He haaded this noto
to President Clemmens
HOME, May %.
First National Bank, Longview
This will Introduce TO you Charles SpocS-
lemeyer, who wants somo money and Is
going to have it. II. and F.
1t was written in pencil leStbly on the
back of a printed poster. Tho bank Prest-
dent thought it q subscription to somo char
ity, and started TO ask for particulars. when
the stranger pointed his rifle Mt him aad
told him to hold up his hands.
The other man rushed into the
side wire door and grabbed tho cash.
Tom Clemmens, cashier, and the other bank
officials also were ordered to hold up their
hands. The robbers hurrlcdly empticl the
tills and went into the vaults, securing
$4,000 and three SO and nine $50 unsigned
Longview bank notes, which may lead to dc
lection.
While this was going on two confcdcratcs
were in the rear alley shooting at every ono
who appeared. They were soon being tlred
on by City Marshal MuCElerOy and Deputy
Marshal Will Stevens The firing made tho
robbers in the bank nervous, and they hur-
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 fastened around the corner with several
shots flying after them. George Buckingham,
who was shooting at the robbers in tho alley,
o-l,7 q. ha 10 ii IA
the ground tho robbers shot at him several
times. City Marshal MucklerOy. who was
shooting at another rObber, received II ball
in the abdomen. The ball glanced up from
some silver dollars he had in his pocket, but
il was partly spent. }. w. Mcqueen a
saloon keeper, thinking the shots were for II
fire alarm, ran out in tho alley and was shot
in the body and it was thought that he was
mOrtally wounded.
Charles s. Leonard was walking through
the Court House ward ami was shot IN the
leg necessitating amPutatiOn. /. {. sum
mers was shot in the left hand. Deputy VIII
Stevens was not hurt, though he stood IN
short range and killed ono OF tho robbers.
The bank officials all escaped unhurt, cX'
cept T. f. Clemmens, who in the scum" with
the robbers got his hand where the hammer
of robbers pistol came down, anu Wa-
badly hurt.
The robbers who stood guard in the alley
would veil at every ono WHO came IN sight
and shoot instantly. The robbers 50 terror
ized the community that they escaped and
rode away. The body of the dead robbei
was soon identified as George Bennett.
The dead rObber was dressed Ike n COW
boy, with high heeIed boots and spurs ami
| a belt full of cartridges, and two double
| action revolvers. His horse, which was
| captured, had 300 rounds OF ammunition
| strapped to the saddle. Another of the rob
| bers, Jim Jones, tho man who gave ireSl'
| dent Clemmens the note, was identified by
| several. He married a respectable Young
woman near Beckville last fall, but later
| went to Mexico. He was well known al
| Longview, having worked at mill iout
| miles from there. 1t is thought Bennett has
brother in the gang; if so, only one man
| remains to be identified.
| The robbers rode rapidly out OF town, dls-
| playing their firearms and tho money they
had got. An armed posse was soon in pur'
suit and when last heard of was fifteen
minutes behind them. The bank Offered
$500 for their arrest, dead or alive, and th'
citizens supplemented the amount by S2o(
| more.
| Deputy John Howard was shot at apou
| fifteen times, but not hurt. He emptIed his
| pistol several times and wounded one robbel
| In the face No less than 200 shots Wer'
fired. The robbers started out OF town, 80
ing by the homo of George Bcnn"ttS VILE
and the mill where Jim Jones worked.