The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-04-22
BANK ROBBERY and MURDER
A BANK IN sOMERswORTH, N. H.
ROBBED-THE CASHIERS
THROAT CUT.
SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS TAKEN.
One Hundred Thousand Dollars in
United States Bonds Was Ex-
amined, But Not Taken.
Robbers Escaped.

Somersworth, N. H., April 16.-While'
resisting the entry of two desperate aud
determined robbers, and during heroic
but futile struggle to protect $150000 or
more in money and securities in the
compartments of the open vault of the
Great Falls National bank, of Somers-
worth, this afternoon. Cashier Jos. A.
Stickney was struck down and brutally
murdered near the desk which he had
occupied for years. After killing Stick
ney the murderers ransacked the vaults
and fled with all the cash it contained,
with the exception of ive-dolar gold
piece. AS near as can be estimated,
about $4,000 was taken. but It is possible
the loss will exceed this sum, as no one
but the dead cashier knew the exact
amount that was in the institution Mt the
time. The robbers, after knocking Stick
ney down with n blackjack, cut his
| throat
The most remarkable feature of the
robbery is the fact that 500, 600 in bonds
of the United States. which were kept in
one of the drawers of the bank vault, and
which the robbers evidently examined
hastily were not taken. Neither was
any of the negotiable paper and securities
of the bank. In fact, nothing is missing
except the cash.
| No one was aware that there was any
thing wrong at the bank until nearly 2
o'clock, or an hour after the murderers'
work was done. The perpetrators had
ample lime to escape, and this evening
scores of deputy sheriffs, marshals, police
and citizens are securing this section of
the state and the adjoining state of
Maine, which, from this city, is Just
across the Salmon Falls river. The men
made their visit to the bank at the most
busy time of the day in the locality where
the bank is situated, and so completely
and thoroughly did they accomplish the
robbery that only an uncertain clue and
a very meagre description Of them was
obtainable.
The bank was beseged by hundreds
when the news of the terrible affair be-
came known, and large number of peo-
pie came here from surrounding cities.
Had the robbers been apprehended soon
after the murder and robbery became pub
lie 1t would have been found difficult to
prevent n lynching. ...--.
1t had always been customary for
Cashier Stickney and the bank clerk,
Mrs. Parker Swazey, to close the bank
ut II o'clock and not reopen until 2
p. m. Today Mrs. Swazey left her desk
ut noon. The cashier. however, re-
manned looking over the banks accounts,
and it is thought he was preparing to go
out when the robbers entered.
The first clue found was from persons
who, reported seeing man hurrying up
the hill, carrying bag, heavily weighted,
over his shoulder. He threw the bag be-
hind the stone wall, changed some of his
clothes and finally got into buggy driven
by another man. Other persons reported
seeing the buggy, and in West Rochester
a horse and buggy were seen, headed for
the Salmon Falls river, which forms the
Maine state boundary. This outfit has
mysteriously disappeared, despite the fact
being searched tonight. There were I'M
dOubtedly two men concerned in the af-
fair.
Physicians who have examined Stick
ney's body say 1t is apparent that the
victim was pounded to death. Another
fact brought out at the autopsy was that
the weapon used to cut his throat was a
medium-sized knife, the blade of which
was very dull, and it left deep and
irregular wound.
Mr.. Stickney's family consists of his
wife, son and two daughters. He was
quite wealthy and was well known In
New England banking circles.
Two Suspects Arrested.
Waltham, Mass, April 16.-Con. Harti-
gan, the New England ex-amateur 125-
pound boxing champion, and Johnny
Briggs were arrested this afternoon on
suspicion of being concerned in local
bank robbery. Afterward a telegram
was received from the mayor of Somers-
worth, N. H., asking that these men be
apprehended.
| Hartigan is said to have admitted to the
police that he had been in Somersworth
today. He stated that both he and
Briggs went there on Wednesday, but
was positive in his statement that both of
them had left Somersworth at 10 O'Clock
this morning, going direct to Boston.
| A fourth telegram to the police from
the mayor of Somersworth came late to-
night, giving the additional fact that
Stickney's murderers had been traced to
the Boston train, leaving at 2:10. This
statement may clear Hartigan and
Briggs in this affair, as the train does not
reach Boston until 400, while the men
were arrested in this city, IL miles dis
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