The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-17
New Hampshire Cashiers
Throat Cut and Bank Robbed
AN HOUR AFTER NOON
CASHIER STICKNBY HAD BEEN
FIGHTING DESPERATELY.
NO c,uEYEr TO TIE ROBBERS
There Were Sl5O.OOO in Money and
Securities in an Open Vault and
$4,000 or More Were
Made Away With.

Made Away With.
Somersworth. N. H., April 16.-While
resisting the entry Of two desperate anu
determined robbers and during Iutlle
struggle to protect $150,O0O or more III
money and securities in the compartments
of the open vault of the Great rams VA
tional Bank of Somersworth, this AFTER
noon. Cashier Joseph A. Stickney was
murdered near the desk which he had oc-
cnn;ed for wears. After killing Shckney,
tho murderers ransacked the vault ana
fed with all the cash it contained, with
the exception of FIVE dollar gold piece.
AS near as can be estimated, about So
600 was taken, but it is probable that the
loss will considerably exceed TINS sum-
as no one but the dead cashier knew tue
exact amount that was IN the INSTITUTION
at the time. The robbers after KNOCK
ing Stickney down with black jack, cut
his throat. The most remarkable 1eature ae
of tbe robbery is the fact that SlUo,ooo
in bonds of the United States, whlen
were kept in one of the drawers OF the
h;e vault. and which the robbers evident
iy examined hastily, were not taken.
Neither was any of the negotiable paper
and securities of the bank-in fact notn-
ing is missing except the cash.
No one was aware that there was any
thing wrong at the bank until nearly :
O'clock. or an hour after the murderous
work was done. The perpetrators nad
annie time to escape. Ihls evening
scores of deputy sheriffs, marshals, police
and citizens are securing TINS section Oh
the State and Maine, which from THIS
city is Just across from the Salmon falls
river The men made their visit to the
hank at the busiest 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 Heagre descrip
ton of them was obtainaDle. Had the
robbers been spprehended soon after the
murder and robbery became pubic, II
would have been difficult to prevent a
double lynching in the Granite State
The murdered man. in addition to ms
position as cashier and director of the
Great Falls Bank, was it's treasurer.
1t had always been customary for Cash
ier Stickney and the bank clerk, Mrs
Parker Swazey, to close the bank at
IL o'clock and not reopen it until Z
To-day Mrs. Swazey left her desk at
noon. The cashier, however, remained
looking over the banks accounts and 1t
is thought be was preparing To go out
when the robbers entered
1t is not known exactly what time the
bank was entered, but 1t was evidently
between i and 1:15 O'Clock, as two men,
strangers, were seen going up the hiH
not very far from the bank at l:2o
o'clock.
Mr.. Frank T. Reed, lccal merchant,
was the first to discover the crime. lie
went up the staircase of the bank build
a -. I, ,.<ly Il 10
glass in the hall door of the bank COM
pletely shattered He was considerably
alarmed and without waiting to investi-
gate, he hurried from the building and
notified City Marshal Eaton. The latter
responded at once They broke in the
door and then found evidences Of a des-
perafe struggle. On the floor, in n great
pool Of blood, was the lifeless body of
Stickney Els head had been nearly sew
cred from his body, the robbers having
cut his throat. The head was marked
with several deep gaslles made by a
heavy black jack, aad the sdull was
fractured The body was covered with
blood. and the walls and furniture bore
additional evidence Of the terrible deed.
stielney had been fighting desperately.
THE FIRST CLUE.
sencrsworth, n. H., April 1G.--The
first clue was obtained from Mrs.
Joshua Smith, who lives near the bank,
and Dudley Chenny, who was passing
man, of dark complexlon,aSz EIAOlN
on the street, who reported seeing mar,
Of dark complexion, hurry up the hlli
carrying a bag heavily weighted over his
shoulder. Mr.. Cheney saw the man
throw the bag behind stone wall, change
some of his clothes and finally get into
a buggy, driven by another man, which
started up the hill. The bag was also
taken. Other people reported seeing the
buggy and in West Rochester dark sor-
Tel horse and buggy were observed head
ed for Salmons, Falls river, which forms
the Maine State boundary. This outfit
has rnyster:ously disappeared despite the
fact that the whole section hereabonts
fs being searched tonight. Mr.. Stick
Dey's family consisted Of his wife, son
and two daughters. He was wealthy and
well known In New England banking
circles. He had been cashier Of the Great
Falls National bank for over twenty
FIVE years.
A KANSAS SAFE CRACKED.
Kansas, April 16.--A special to the
Star from Eldorado, Kansas, says:
Crarksmen blew open safe at Latham
last night and secured large amount Of
money. A reward OF FIVE hundred dol
lars has been offered for the capture of
the robbers, and the recovery OF the
money. The exact amount secured is
not given.
Richmond, Va, April 18.-The local op-
N0n election In Whitestone district, Ian