The San Francisco call., 1905-06-03
CHAMPION BANK
ROBBER DEAD
Jimmy" Hope, the Leader in
the Famous Three Million
Dollar Theft, Passes Away
ONCE OPERATED HERE
Served Time in San Quentin
for LoOting Local Insti-
tuition Several Years Ago

NEW YORK. June 2-James Hope.
otherwise known as Jimmy Hope. Lead
er OF the band which robbed the Manhat-
tan Bank IL this city OF nearly $1,000 900
In money and securities thirty years ago.
died here yesterday. He was SO years OF
age. His wife said to-day that he died OF
grief broken-hearted because OF the pub
licity which constantly kept his record
alive.
The death OF Jimmy Hope closes a ca
reer that has had few equals IN the Grim
inal history Of this country The Pinker-'
ton Agency's library OF crime Is replsts
with data OF Hope. showing him to have
been one OF the most daring as well as
skillful bank robbers in America He op-
Grated throughout the United States for
twenty-five years and for time was
wanted in two dozen States for various
offenses.
Hope was born in Philadelphia and en-
tered upon his criminal career at an early
age. One Of his early exploits was the
cracking OF the safe OF the Plymouth
Bank in Philadelphia Although he was
not arrested for the crime. the suspicion
was strong against him Later he robbed
the bank at Peoria. H.. and was SEN
fenced TO five years Imprisonment. but
escaped after two years service. A few
months later Hope and four desperate
ton, Del, after capturing the cashier and
his entire family For this crime he re-
ceived forty lashes and was sentenced to
ten years in prison. but he and his COM
panions had barely entered upon their
term OF service before they escaped From
that time on Hope was continually want
ed for similar crimes. He was frequently
captured and sentenced, but as frequent
ly escaped from the prisons
In 1874 Hope and a band OF the most no.
torious desperadoes in this country robbed
the Manhattan Bank Of New York and
got away with s2.747.770 A large portion
OF the plunder was IN registered securt-
ties. Hopes son. John. had a hand in
this affair Again the veteran thief went
TO prison, but made his escape. and the
next heard from him was when he was
captured in this city while attempting to
rob the Sather Bank on Montgomery
street He was sentenced to ten years
in San Quentin. He was released. after
serving seven years and six months, on
November 16. 1856.
Oficers were awaiting to take him. back
to New York TO serve out an unexpired
term in Sing Sing. but he bitterly fought
extradition for six months, when ne
finally was defeated in his legal battle
and reluctantly started East with his
captors. 1t was claimed that he had COM
promised with the bank officials by re-
vealing the hiding place OF lot OF the
securities stolen from the Manhattan
Bank and also effected the release OF his
son. who had been serving time IN
Pennsylvania penitentiary-
Some years ago Hope. after getting free
from the clutches OF the law settled
down with his family in New York and
little had been since heard OF him until
the recent discovery OF the missing securi-
ties OF the Manhattan Bank Hope was
closely questioned by the police and SUI
fered the annoyance OF having his former
career revived in the press OF the coun-
try.