The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-06-17
ROBBED CORYDON BANK!
An Interesting "Reminiscences of the
Flight of the James Gang and
their Fight In ESCapinu.

~" shSOa Cosiuy nCiiIiuiSOCHCC W luS
Flight of the James Gang and
their Fight In Escaping.
Many of the older residents of Deca-
tur county recall the robbery of the
Corydon bank in June, 1871, by the
notorious James Brothers and their
gang, and the pursuit of the robbers
across Decatur county. Last SUNDAYS
Register and Leader had special write
up OF the robbery with illustrations of
the old bank, the cashier and other per-
sons mentioned in the story, including
two Decatur county citizens, j. r.
Smith, of Lamont, who was injured
when the robbers stopped at his farm
house and J. e. Leeper, Of Pleasanton,
who was stopping at the homo of Mr..
Smith on that memorable night.
The robbery occurred on Saturday
afternoon when nearly everyone in
Corydon was at big meeting where
Henry Clay Dean was speaking in favor
OF the proposed extension of the old M,
j. q N. r. r., which is now known az
the X. & W. although it is owned by
the Burlington.
About 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon
four men dressed as ordinary farmers,
rode up to the bank. One remained out
side and held the horses while three
entered and covering the cashier, Oscar
Q. Ocobock with their guns, they bound
him hand and foot and robbed the bank
of $500, overlooking $4,000. AS the
men left town they called out to boy
where the speaking was in progress
that they were the fellows who robbed
the bank. A posse Immediately set out
after them but returned to town in a
few hours without seeing anything of
the robbers. That night a posse was
organized under the leadership of Cap
tain Littell and they set out upon the
trail of the outlaws.
About fifteen miles southwest of Cory-
don they came to the home of farmer
named Stevens, who reported that some
one, presumably the robbers, had stolen
fine Kentucky mare from him and in
its place had left lame one, which
the pursuers recognized from the de-
scription given them Of the horses rid
den by the outlaws by Mr.. BOYLE as
belonging to the robbers.
Here Captain Litteil decided that it
would do no good to keep up the pur-
suit that night, as they were liable to
lose the trail in the darkness, so the
posse accepted Stevens invitation to
pass the night there. EARLY the next
morning the chase was resumed, Stevens
accompanying the men in the hope Of
finding colt, which had followed the
stolen horse. Near the Decatur county
line it was found that the robbers had
| stopped to divide the money. They were
Ievidently not fearing immediate pur-
suit, for the grass was tramped down
where the horses had stood for con-
siderable time. The wrappings from the
packages of greenbacks were found w.
ing about and several coins of small
denominations were also found. The
robbers were still going west, and
about three miles further on Mr..
Stevens colt was found dead in the
road with bullet hole in it's forehead,
Thomas Flynn, who lived near where
the colt was found, stated that he had
heard the shot, and going into the road
saw four men riding of in the distance.
This was about o'clock the evening
before. Mr.. Stevens here turned back,
giving up all hope of recovering the
stolen horse. The posse then went on
west, but had little hope of catching up
with the outlaws, unless they had
stopped to rest their weary mounts, be-
fore taking the final lap of the jour-
ney to their headquarters at Liberty,
Missouri.
This is exactly what they did, and
Sunday afternoon the pursuers passed
within 100 yards of the robbers, who
were camping in grove, although
neither party we're aware Of it at the
time.
After dividing the money the robbers
had lost no more time. They passed
through Davis City sometime close to
midnight. From here they took the road
leading to Lamont, but turned and went
south about four miles east of that town.
Sometime between three and four o'clock
Sunday morning they went to the house
Of James Smith, q farmer, living south
east Of Lamont. 1t was here that trag-
edy was narrowly averted.
The four rode directly up to the house
and raped on tine door. In answer to the
knock Mr.. Smith opened the door, and
was asked if the four could get water
for their horses. He replied that he
was unable to let them water their
horses, as water was very scarce, he
not having enough for his own use.
They then asked for drink for them
selves, which he gave them. Thanking
him the four turned and rode of.
What happened later can best be told
by ]. e. Leeper, who was later bridge
foreman of Decatur county, and is at
present prominent Texas real estate
man, and two years later was compelled,
by the same four, to witness their rob-
berry of the Buchanan county fair
grounds,at ST. Joseph, Mo.
Mr.. Leeper's story of the affair is sub
stantially as follows: 81 had gone to
bed earlier than was usual" said Mr..