Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1909-03-19
WOULD SHOOT CASHIER
Chas. Simmons Pulls Re-
voIvgr on ]. x. Martin Of
First National

on Which was mortgage tor security
Mr.. Martin states that Mr.. Simmons
sauntered into the bank between 8 81
and 10 clock Monday morning, sait
good morning to him and asked for :
private interview. This Mr.. Martin
readily consented to, and the twt
walked into the directors room III tn
back part of the bank, where the,
took seats near one corner of the table
Mr.. Martin asked HIM what it was b.
wished to see him about. To thi
query, Simmons answered that b,
wanted 1000 right away. Thl
cashier asked him on what grounds
Simmons said he had forty. acre trac
Of land IN Ft. Ripley he would give
as security. Mr.. Martin did not like
the threatening manner Simmons
assumed, and stated that while he wa:
willing to consider his proposition. he
would not stand for any threats He
then asked him If the land was
encountered in any way. The mar
answered that there was a $3.50
mortgage on it, held by one Grant.
but that he had secured a quit claim
deed On it from a Mr.. Walker OF
Duluth. Mr.. Martin again said tina,
he was willing to consider the PROPOSE
tion but that he would have to 90 out
there and look over the land. Simmons
said there was no time for considering
and that he wanted and needed the
money right away. at the same time
putting his hand into an inner coat
pocket. Cashier Martin says he
thought the man was going to take a
pencil from his pocket. The next
minute Simmons flashed out a six.
shooter, and called out to Mr.. Martin
to get his revolver. AS stated before
they were seated within easy reach of
each other, and when the cashier
caught a glimpse of the weapon and
saw what the mans words slgnltied,
he hurled himself on the man, catch
ing hold of both of his wrists and
sliding his right hand over the hand
that held the revolver. forced it
against the hammer of the pistol, and
although the man tried frantlcally to
pull the trigger he was unable to do SO.
j. w. Hoover, who resides near
P1llager, was IN the bank at the time,
and when he heard Mr.. Martins call
for help, he rushed into the directors
room and wrested the gun from
Simmons grip: Tne sheriff's Office
was then called up and Deputy Sheriff
Frank Heroux hurried to the bank and
placed Summons under arrest.
Mr. Simmons IS at present at
the county Jail, charged with assault
with deadly weapon with intent to
kill, and would have had an i'm
mediate hearing but he asked that 1t
be postponed.
J. w. Hoover, who is held here as a
witness, stated that when Cashier
Martin and Simmons were going into
the directors room, he saw the latter
make a movement as though remov-
ing something from an outer pocket
OF his coat to an inside pocket. He
said he didn t think anything about it,
however, until he heard the cashiers
call for help.
It is understood that the prisoner,
who at one time was in the employ OF
A. r. Davidson, vice president of the
bank, has harbored a grudge against
both Mr. Davidson and J. K. Martin
during the past three or four years.
Mr. Simmons was seen by Herald
and stated that he had
always carried a revolver. and had not
gone into the bank with the intention
Of threatening or shooting anyone
That he told Mr.. Martin that he
would like to see him. and that they
went into the directors room. That
be wanted $1,000 and wished 1t very
soon as he was in i'll health and
needed 1t badly to straighten up few
matters here before going West, and
would give his 4O.acre piece of land
as security. When Mr.. Martin stated
that he would have to look over the
land before he could say that be would
let him have this sum on it, it pro-
bably ruffled him some, as he felt that
Martin knew all about the land. as to
value, etc., even moro so than him
self. He says he reached for his in
side pocket for some paper and
pencil, to show Mr.. Martin where
tract of land just south OF his forty
that was recently bought for It's ORE
bearing quality. was, when Martin
threw himself upon him, grabbing his
revolver, which he carried at his pants
belt 4 scuff1e ensued and then others
came into the room the gun was in the
possession of them both, when 1t was
taken by another party.
The hearing was postponed to March
26, but we understand that the whole
matter will be settled, and not come
to trial.