The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1897-04-10

The recent bank robbery by two
masked robbers at Sherburn, Mimi,
recalls the raid in the First national
bank of Mortified, in the sane state
by Frank James, Cole, Jim and Bob
Younger, Bill Stiles Tor Chadwel), Ciel
Miller and Charles Pitts, twenty years
ago, Sept. z, 1875. The writer has a
vivid recollection of the last named
event. *
The First National was the only bank
in the city, and the raiders concluded
the bank would carry considerable
cash in it's safe, as a great deal of
wheat was then being marketed at
Mortified, and funds came through the
bank to pay for it.
Northfield, being a college town, has
many inhabitants who are there for the
purpose of educating their children.
They are well to do, intelligent people,
who spend more time in beautifying
their homes and decorating their
grounds than they do in decorating
their noses, as is common in communi-
ties where the ''bun" element pre-
walls. The robbers reasoned that such.
a quiet, inoffensive class of citizens
would offer little or no resistance to
their attack. The result shows how
poorly they reasoned. For day or two
previous to the attack, the robbers re-
connoitered the town; inspected the
bank, and planned their route of
escape. They represented themselves
as cattlemen, and would pass as
such anywhere. The only thing that at
tracted special attention, was their
horses and fine saddles. J. S. Allen, a
hardware merchant, (for some reason
for which he cannot accounD suspected
the horsemen were there for no good
purpose and communicated his sus-
Apieioas to Mr.. g ssel l.5asking him If
he did not think it would be we'll to tell
the boys at the bank" to be on the
lookout. Trussell laughed at the idea.
At the time of the attack the cashier Of
the bank, Mr.. G. M. Phillips, was abb
sent, having just reached Philadelphia
that day, whittier he had gone to attend
the Centennial exhibition. His place
was filled during his absence by Mr.. J.
L. Haywood, the regular bookkeeper.
I was teller of the bank at the time, and
had temporary charge of, portion of
Mr. Heywood's s work. The other en-
ployee was Mr.. F. j. Wilcox, who was
engaged temporarily, and had charge of
collections, and assisted on the books.
At the time of the attack, 80 p. M,
Mr.. Haywood was seated at the
cashiers desk, attending to some cor
respondence; Mr.Wiloox and I were en-
gagged in writing up the books. i
At the time mentioned, four horse
men rode. across the bridge from the
west, along mill Square"'-which is
north of SERVERS block-turned south
on Division street, halted and dis
mounted along the east side of the
building, throwing the bride reins over
some hitching posts, and entered the
bank. These were Frank James, Bob
Younger, Charley Pitts and Clel. Mil
Ter. They were followed across the
bridge in few moments by two more
of the gang, who commenced shooting
as they entered Mill Square, but did
not leave their horses. Two others
rode down Division street from the
south, meeting their pals nearly in
front of the bank. tss
AS the four entered the bank, Miller
turned and closed the door, stepping
outside, with the intention, it is
claimed, of guarding the door, and
warning his partners inside in case
their plans we're likely to be inter
fered with by citizens. The first warn
ing we had of approaching danger was
when the robbers entered and I, hear
ing the noise outside the counter, and
supposing some customer had entered,
turned from my work to wait on
him, facing the open space over
the counter before referred to,
which was called the teller's window
Instead of meeting the expected GUS
toner, three esrevolvers were pointed at
my face, and three tough customers
were climbing over the counter. AS Il
remember looking those reYolvers in
the face the hole in each seemed about
as large at a hat. ! was commanded,
4 Throw up your hands. !" Under the cir
cunstances this seemed the most ap-
propriate thing to do, and threw
them up. In relating this some years
ago, when a darkey was present, he
said tell you, boss. I'd q frowed
UP al de hams I had, and wished Il
had mo. 3
As Mr.. Haywood occupied the cash
ier's desk, and as he was older than
& MI. Wilcox or myself, the robbers nat
urally supposed him to be the cashier.
James end Pitts turned toward him,
and James said: You're the cashier.