The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-06-18
ENTERED A NEW YORK BANK
presidents PRIVATE OFFICE
AND DEMANDED MONEY.
PISTOL SHOTS FOLLOWED REFUSAL
AS Result Banker Wickoff and the
Would-be Robber Are in the Hos
pital Unconscous-A Statement
by the Culprit.

New York, June 15.-George II. Wick
off, president of the Bank of New AM
sterdam, was shot twice in the abdomen
and side this afternoon while in his pri-
vate office in the bank, by a man named
Clark. Clark demanded money, and
meeting with refusal, fred the shots
and then turned the pistol on himself.
Both men are now at the New York hos
pital in an unconscious condition.
When Clark had gained access to Mr..
Wickoff he presented him the following
letter, which was written on Hotel MARI
borough paper, in blue ink, and in clear,
legible hand:
I'VE want $4,000. Five one thousand
dollar bills, ten one hundred dollar bills"
Il will shoot you if you make Il false
move, SO be careful. My partner outside
alarm within three minutes after leave
he will throw Il package of dynamite
through the front entrance. Put the
money in an envelope Don't talk"
The Bank of Amsterdam is in the Met
ropolitan opera house. ut Broadway and
Thirty-eghth street.
Mr.. Wickoff was alone in his Office
when Clark entered the bank. He walked
into the front of the bank, turning down
the corridor and passing the clerks be-
hind the wicket without causing any I'M
due excitement. He passed through the
door and closed it behind him. He add
vanced politely to Mr.. Wickoff's desk
and laid a letter before him.
Mr.. Wckoff refused to comply with
the request and Clark drew pistol.
Mr.. Wickoff jumped to disarm the man,
who fired Immediately. The ball entered
Mr.. Wickoff's abdomen. Before the
| startled clerks could enter the presidents
room, Clark turned the pistol and fired
two bullets into his own body and fell to
| the floor.
Mr.. Wickoff staggered into the corr-
| dor, told the clerks to send for his wife
and his friend, Mr.. Tilford who is vice
president of the bank, and fell.
Mr.. WickOff made an ante-mortem
statement in substance as here told.
Clark refused to make any statement
and would not give his name, address or
occupation. He said that he needed
money and had been out of employment
! for one week. He claimed that he had
no particular motive other than that of
getting money for the support of his wife
and boy. He said:
81 had never seen the bank president be-
fore and did not know him. He had
never done me or any member of my
family any wrong. | did not mean to
harm him, but he refused the demand l
made and meant to suicide. | hope that
he may recover. If my wife should iden-
tify me will not be laid in the potter's
field. | have been here about fifteen
years. l was born in the west. There
can be no defamatory statements made
against this man, as he is of too high a
standing. There was only one life |
wanted to take, and that was mine"
The letter presented by Clark was
found ON Mr.. Wickoffs desk. 1t was
written on note paper. There was no sig
nature. Whether there was really an ac-
complete or not is not known. The police
do not know Clark.
The attempt at Norcross to kill Russell
Sage was recalled and intensified the OK
| element.
The bank officer was quickly on the
scene and in a short while every arrange
ment was perfected for any emergency.