The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-01
J. L. Harris Attempts to Loot
Bendena Bank But Fails.
FIRES BULLET IN BRAIN
Sensational Scheme Of a Farm
Hand Is Frustrated.
Enters Bank Before Closing
Hour With Drawn Revolver.
Clerk, Ordered to Draw Blinds,
Escaped and Gave Alarm.

Troy, Kan, Dec. ii. w Harms d
farm hand tried to rob the bank IN
Bendena Friday afternoon and when II
became apparent to him that he was
about to be captured he killed himsen.
u Theodore Selb, clerk in the bank es-
capped from the building aid after
shooting at him, Harris placed the muz-
zle of the revolver behind his right ear
and pulled the trigger. He lived about
three hours.
When Harris went into the bank no
one was there except w. M. Gillen, ths
cashier, and Theodore SeIo, the clerk
It was 3 30 O'Clock, half an hour before
the regular closing e-me. Harris du-
vanced to the cashiers wicket ana ore"
a revolver.
Now. you he continued, indicating
SeIb, put down the window shades.
Selb drew one shade and then started
toward the second, but instead sprahs
through a door into back room
The robber saw the movement ana
fred his revolver. He was too late, now
ever. as Selb was outside and the Dullet
hit the door casing
Selb slammed the door as he went
into the room. Then he unlocked door
to the street and gave the alarm.
when Selb escaped said Cashier
Gillen, the robber stared vacantly az
the door through which he had gone he
without a word or a look at me ne
raised the pistol until the muzzle was
near his right ear and fired. He knew
the game was up when Selb got out on
the street"
when the robbery was attempted DIT
Robert Dinsmore of Troy, coroner OF
Doniphan county, held an Inquest at .
o'clock in the afternoon, the nndlng OF
the Jury being in accordance with the
facts stated.
Harris made no attempt to disguise
himself. He did not wear a mask and
his clothes were those usually worn py
farmers.
The robber had made no arrange
rnents for leaving town in the event OF
his attempt succe eding, and the crime
was evidently committed in Mt OF
drunken bravado-
Had Lived in Kansas City.
Kansas City. Dec. Jesse l. Har-
ris formerly lived at Bolton, MO-
where his parents now reside He
came to Kansas City about three years
ago and went to work for Esterly
Brothers, blacksmiths at 2O4 West
port avenue. Westport, for whom he
worked steadily two years. He was
we'll liked by his employers and was
regarded as a specially competent and
faithful workman until he began to
drink About year ago he LETT the
employ Of Esterly Brothers and went
farm OF Abe Baker near Troy during
the harvest season. He was 50 highly
esteemed by his former employers
that when the harvest season was over
Joe Esterly went to the Baker farm
and induced Harris to return to Kan
sas City and resume his position with
his old employers. Five months ago
he quit their employ again and went
to Bolton, No. where ne remained
with his parents for some time.
About a month ago Harris return
ed to Kansas City and telephoned Es-
terly Brothers that he was again in
the city and was visiting his sister
Mrs. Will Afatheney. an employee Of
the Garr-Scott Implement company,
living on the Southwest boulevard.
One of the Esterly brothers asked
him why he did not come out to see
them. He replied that he was too
ornery." He evidently keenly felt the
degradation which he had brought
upon himself by his dissipation. The
Esterlys did not see him during his
last stay in the city and they did not
know where he had gone.