Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-07-03
Bold Bank Holdup.

OF Clay, Robinson d Cos. bank a. Belle
Fourchs by five men on Monday morn
ing last, as reported by an eve witness
to the affair, appears IN the Rapid City
Journal Of the Goth ult
sat about ten O'Clock yesterday morn
ing three men heavily armed walked
into the bank and ordered everyone ir-
side to throw up their hands. Cashier
Arthur Marble drew q revolver and
made an attempt to open up fire on the
robbers, but his weapon was no good.
There were six or seven people in the
bank at tie time. but il seems everyone
had forgotten to bring their guns with
them. Mr.. Giles. a hardware merchant
whose place of business was on the
opposite side Of the street, noticed the
men in the bank holding up their hands
snd ran across the street. He no soon-
er arrived at the bank than he WAS
ordered to hold up his hands, but in
stead of complying lost no time in max
ing his escape, giving the alarm at the
same time. That the bank was not
more effectively looted is without doubt
due to this occurrence as the robbers
then had no time to get at the money.
AS it was they could only grab up some
bills, amounting in all to only between
$40 and $50.
"In an incredibly short time help
commenced arriving and fusilade was
opened up between the robbers, who
had by that time come out Of the bank
and citizens. The robbers kept working
their way toward their horses, which
had been left in charge of one Of their
band and were stationed about fifty
yards to the rear of the bank. During
all the shooting, strange as it may seem,
no one was even wounded. A hard
ware merchant by the name Of Gay had
narrow escape, however, one shot
grazing his ear. Four of the robbers
finally reached their horses and made
their escape. One man was left behind,
however, and was captured. He was
seen just as he was going into an out
house and was surrounded and taken.
His revolver was afterward found IN
the vault where he had thrown it when
he found his escape impossible. He is
described az being an exceedingly tough
looking individual, but had between
5000 and $500 on his person. He was
afterward identified by parties who
were in the bank at the time of the
holdup as one Of the robbers. He was
taken to Deadwood last evening for safe
keeping on account Of the Jail at Belle
Fourche having been lately burned.
"A rather serious accident occurred
while the robbers were escaping. Joseph
Miller, blacksmith, had ran TO his resi-
dence, secured his Winchester, mounted
his horse and was riding rapidly to the
scene Of the conflict when he was fred
upon by the citizens, they supposing he
was one of the robbers. His horse was
shot from under dim and instantly
killed. Miller had n narrow escape
from losing his life. BY this time the
robbers had got out of town and posse
Of citizens were soon mounted and ir
pursuit. When next heard from the
robbers had passed the V V '
ranch. They had bnt three horses, tive
Of them being mounted on one horse
The latest word was from Clay's rancf
where it was stated that the citizens
posse had overtaken them and haC
them at bay and to send on more help
1t is now thought that the whole banS
has been captured.
"a rather amusing incident occurred
in the bank at the time of the hold NJ
in which the well known divine, Rev
L. T. Clough, was one Of the principa
actors. The reverend gentleman wa
one of the people in the bank at th'
time and when the order TO hold NJ
your hands" was given he thought tha
he might as we'll defer the time for do
| ing business at the bank and accordingl,
started to make his exit through tn
door. He was, however. perceived b,
one Of the robbers and ordered to hal
and throw mp his hand. Rev. Clougl
wanted to explain matters and said L
the desperado,' am q preacher; yo,
don't want me-" Preacher be d--d
hold up your hands, And his hand
went up"
The Pioneer-Times of Thursda,
morning says: There was no news O
importance from the Belle Fourche banl
robbers and their pursuers. yesterday
Ex-Shsrif Geo. Fuller. who went ou
with the party in pursuit Of the robbers
returned to Belle Fourche Tuesda,
evening, having left them that after
noon on the trail beyond the head O
Oak creek. He confirms the stor,
published by the Pioneer Times yester
day regarding finding the horse. saddl
and Winchester rife. He says tn,
robbers are well armed with the ver'
best Winchester rifles and that the,
fred on their pursuers whenever the!
got within close quarters.
Deputy Sheriff Arnold brought O'Dal
back to Deadwood yesterday Afternoon
and has him safely behind the bars o
the Lawrence county Jail for his ap
pearancs before the next grand jury a
Belle Fourchs. O'Day was given
preliminary hearing before Justice Jack
son, at Belle Fourche, Tuesday after
noon and was bound over in bonds il
the sum of $4,000. O'Day has re
tanned w. O. Temple OF this city t.
defend him and was attended by hi
counsel at the hearing
There was bitter feeling in th'
town against O'Day. who was kept un
der guard over night and had they got
ten him there would doubtless havs
been neck tie party.
Won't Yield Much Rsvenue.
When the new liquor law was passed
laaf vinter sava n lata pferva d;sras.l