Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1909-11-17
BANK OFFICER MEETS DEATH.
Desperate Attempt to- Rob Bank at
New Albany, Indiana.

LOulSNflie, n.y., NOV. ILL. SIafy
Fawcett, cashier of the Merchants
was shot and instantly killed and
President j. X. Woodward, of the
same institution, seriously wounded
by an unknown man who entered
the bank about half past eleven to-
day and attempted to hoiG up the
officials and their assistants.
The aSsailant, young man Of
about 2i, after his murderous work,
ran quickly to the Ohio river and
started for the Kentucky side in a
skiff. The New Albany police were
notified and after hot pursuit in
motor boat succeeded in capturing
the young man near the Kentucky
and Indiana bridge and landed him
about noon behind the bars of the
New Albany jail.
Stole Auto to Raid Bank.
The man came to New Albany in
an automobile, the property OF Mrs.
Walter Escott, a resident of one of
the most fashionable districts of
Louisville, and the chauffeur, James
r. Tucker, negro, who was arrested
later made the startling announce
ment to the police that the man. who
did the shooting took possession of
the automobile this morning in front
OF Mrs. Escott's residence and forced
him at the point Of revolver, to
drive him to New Albany. s..-.
The man, who is a stranger to the
New Albany police, entered the bank
by rear door, a revolver in each
hand. He gave the single command:
Glands up, everybody; Get into the
vault"
There was rush for safety by
the clerks and several persons who
were transatcing business in the
bank.
President Woodward, quickly TAX
ing in the situation, advanced to-
ward the robbeT and attempted to
talk to him, or, If possible, capture
the man.
President and Cashier Shot.
The robbers response to Mr..
WoOdward's question as to what was
wanted was two shots which struck
the official in the arms and sto-
mach, infiicting dangerous wounds.
Cashier Fawcett then rushed for
ward, but before lie could reach the
fallen president, the cashier was shot
in the neck and breast, dying a short
time afterwards.
The robber, still without speaking
a word, walked quickly out of the
front door, dropping one of his re-
volvers just outside the bank build
ing. Turning the corner to where
the automobile was, he jumped into
the rear seat with the command to
the negro: Get out of this as fast
as you can!'
But the automobile stood still, the
negro, thoroughly frightened at the
RI
Without further parley, the robber
jumped to the ground, drew q revol-
yer and sent bullet into the ne
gro'S back.
An instant later the ass sin was
running at top speed down the bank
to the Ohio river, where he jumped
into a skiff.
He had pulled out some distance
into the stream before the astonish-
ed citizens of the town and river
bank knew what had happened.
Owners of river craft then engag
ed in race for the desperate. The
police, however, in a motor boat,
kept in redainess for just such emer-
gencies, distanced all followers, and
in an incredibly short space of time
had their man at bay on bit Of an
island just south of the big bridge
Louisville.
They covered him with revolvers
and the arrest was made without
fight. The prisoner was taken on
board the launch and after a ten
minute run was at the dock in New
Albany. Here the police were sur
prised to find about 200 men who
wanted to take their prisoner from
them. Only by piece of strategem
was the prisoners life saved, as a
chorus of Hang him! Lynch him!
He killed Fawcett!" greeted the
startled police who were thus first
made aware Of the extent of the
prisoners deeds.
Captain Davis, Of the New Albany
police, in charge Of the capturing
squad, was equal to the occasion, and
ordered the man to lie down, and
the apparently PROSTATE form Of the
prisoner was carried from the boat,
and in a jif,y was resting on the bot
tom OF the patrol wagon.
The crowd, however, wanted to see
the prisoner and surged around the
wagon With his foot on the cap
tive's neck, Captain Davis stood up
in the wagon and addressed the per-
sons who were noisily demanding
vengeance. "The man is dead; we
saw him take some poison just as we
nabbed him." said the willy officer"
Both Fawcett and Woodward are
Louisville men and prominent in
both business and social circles.
Their friends hui ried across the
river to render any assistance possi-
bic.
Apprehension Is felt for the recov-
cry of Woodward. He was taken to
ST. Edwards hospital and an opera
ton begun as soon as possible. 1t