davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11

a circle OF friends. mostly prosperous
business men.
From this point luck turned against the
band The tremendous proportions of the
robbery caught everyones imagination.
The underworld was as much excited as
the police and talk and speculation would
not die down. The neglected hole in the
lock came to view again and it was now
appreciated in its full significance
The police recollected their tip about
Hope and his gang which had come to
them at the same time as the discovery
OF the hole and their suspicious began to
grow against some of the real perpetra-
tors. Still for many weeks there was not
an atom Of evidence against any member.
Patrick Shevelin, the weak link OF the
chain, began to feel the pressure.
The Weak Spot
Not only was he a man lacking In the
robust nerves essential to a successful
criminal and also one who drank too
much, but he was cruelty disappointed as
we'll. He hsi been led to believe that
quarter of a million dollars in cold cash
would be handed to him within day or
two after the robbery, He was going 20
buy a castle in Ireland and few other
tllnSS WIN the money.
Instead of all this Hope gave him only
1920. He explained at the time that this
was only his share Of the cash stolen. and
that the balance of the quarter million
would be forthcoming as soon as the
bonds and stocks had been converted into
cash.
But alas for poor Shevelin. The bonds
never were converted and instead OF
more money. Hope brought him bad news
and actually forced him to return half of
the $1,000. He told Shevelin that a bill
was being prepared at Washington to
compel the issuance OF duplicate securi.
ties in place OF those stolen. This would.
OF course. make the originals worthless
and Kill the sale of them and make the
robbery financial failure
There was truth in Hopes plea for
the bill was actually passed, but il is
doubtful If poor Sheyelin's $500 was used.
as Hope promised. TO bribe Senators and
Congressman TO obstruct the bill
The horse being stolen. the bank took
pains to lock the barn door They NO.
only rearranged their locks and filled up
the hole. but investigated Werkle, Keely
and shevelin. Finding that Shevelin was
drinking and frequenting disreputable
places, they were about to DISCHARGE him.
But the detectives pc suaded the bank to
retain him for fear discharge might ex-
cite the suspicious OF the gang
Detectives Swallowed Shevelin night and
day. Some of them became acquainted
with him under one guise or another.
They even became intoxicated with him.
On one or two occasions he let slip re.
marks that he was connected with some
big secret affair. One day they saw
bartender get a package from drawer
and hand 1t to Shevelin, who opened II and
TOOK out some bills. and then returned
the package. The detective was able 10
see that the package contained several
hundred dollars This was more than
Shevelin. in all probability would have
saved out of his small salary with all his
bad habits.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11
berry Was Discovered.

disarray Of clothing his old friend
Werkie. janitor of the bank. who had
been bound and gagged by the bur.
glars.
The gag removed, Werkle was able
to blurt out the fact that the bank had
been robbed. The policeman across
the street was summoned, and with
him came Coakiey, the robber Hope
had left behind to- watch what hap
pened. They heard an amazing and
somewhat incoherent tale. The police
man. being rather young and inexpe-
rienced. listened open.mouthed, and at
Coakley's suggestion arrested the
faithful and abused Waterman.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11
and Each Member Famous Band PLAYED His Part

Jimmy Hope, the leader. had considered minute
care every possible OF danger ne placed
men guard with the precision Of general. Three
living human beings in the building the rooms
over the bank-the jantor, his wife aged mother
in-laW These were quickly taken by surprsc, bound
and gagged.
John Nusent a., with drawn pistol, stood over
Werkic the jantor Johnny Hope (2) very promis.
Ing burglar aon Of the leader left charge
Werkle with cooked revolver, while in the next room
Eddy Cooley (3) answered for the silence tre
bling old mother.
Outside the bank more important work to be
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11

the job Of playing the part Of the anItor With wig
and whiskers made to initiate Wer<Ie, and In shirt
sleeves, Emerson ~ busiIy busted and re-dsted
desks, keeping close to the street windows where
could be by anybody passing and whore he
and repeat signals from CoakIey and Mason who
watch the sidewalk. Banjo" Pete played
his part we'll that the policeman in going ha
glanced up, what he hIs friend Werke
busting the desks, nodded 'aood morning stroiled
up Broadway
Jimmy Hope reserved for himself, Ned Lyons and
Johnny Dobbs the delicate work OF blowing the
safes and taking Of the IS 100000 Of piunder.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11

done On the Broadway front Of building the ven
cradle Abe Coakcy (4) was assigned to duty On tho
sleeeker street side George Mason (5) was on post
Just inside the side door, to protect the line Of retreat
stood Silly keey co., with piatoi in hand.
There still remained delicate matter In the earv
hours OF the morning 1t customary for old be-
"hekered anitor Werkie, to be busy sweepna up
and busting off the desks of the bank clerks The 90
iiceman on post always nodded to Werkle, II he
was not on the job usual that morning might arouse
suspicion.
In Hopes gang was Banjo" Pete Emerson, who had
been an actor Of no ability. To him was assigned
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11
Hunting Down the Gang

Now we will see how much crime even
in the most successful case. profted the
criminals. In the first place, Tracy was
In prison before 1t happened. Western
George" who solved the lock, was muir
dered. Patrick Shevelin, tie watchman
received. instead of the quarter OF mill
ion. actually $1,000 in cash. Within
few days Jimmy Hope took half of this
back again on the plea that it was needed
at Washington to buy off legislators who
were to pass a bill through Congress- or
dering the issue OF duplicates in place OF
the stolen securities. AS an actual fact
all Shevelin ever profited from this rob-
berry was $500
Jimmy Hope and John D. Grady, the
fence. quarreled over the disposition OF
the bonds and stocks. which Hope spirited
away and hid in the Middle West. The dis
sension spread to other members of the
gang and the underworld began to hear
details OF the robbery.
Hope tailed in his efforts to prevent the
passage OF the bill cancelling the stolen
securities and then came the final blow
the confession OF Shevelin.
Hope was caught in San Francisco. his
son. Johnny Hope, was captured in Phila.
delphia while trying to dispose OF some OF
the bonds-and one after another the gang
was run down
Considered from technical viewpoint,
this robbery was the most Napoleonic feat
ever achieved. My husband. Ned Lyons,
said Hope ought to have managed without
the aid Of Shevelin or IL his aid was alb
solutely necessary, he should have been
killed. This point OF view regarding muir
der Is one Of the distinguishing differences
between my husband and Jimmy Hope.
And thus we find that the greatest bank
robbery in the history OF the world, which
enlisted the time, brains and special skill
of a dozen able men over long period OF
time resulted in failure to dispose OF the
valuable securities, and landed sooner or
later most Of the operators in prison II
an enterprise OF such magnitude, success
fully accomplished. was not worth while.
then surely CRIME DOES NOT PAY,
SOPHIE LYONS.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11

just such an emergency, politely informed
him that the janitor and his family had
gone away and would need no more milk
for some time. The milkman replaced the
bottle In his wagon and went on. while
Hope drove home his wedges
But now came serious interruption, the
willy old Coakley signalled that the end
Of their operations had come. 1t was
inevitable that Kohlman, the barber
would soon open up his little shop be-
meath the bank. This was what Coakley
signalled to Banjo Pete" who called
the news to the workers within the vault
Immediately Hope. Dobbs and Lyons laid
down their tools, put on their coats. stuffed
the remainder of the undistributed plum
der inside their clothes and told the band
to quit
Johnny Hope and Nugent, with a last
bloodthirsty threat left the Werkles
Eddy Cooley pocketed his revolver and
Joined the group collecting around Billy
Kelly on the back stairs, where Banjo
Pete" was getting out of his overalls and
pocketing his false whiskers
George Mason gave the get away sig
nal on the outside, and one BY one the
gang, carrying nearly $4,000 900 in money
and securities. mingled with the crowd and
vanished
Coakley on watch In front stayed around
and waited for further developments.
hOOut lCu fdtSI lne early CUB
toners Of Kohlman's barber shop heard
someone leaping down the stairs from the
bank. In burst apparently a mailman.
half-dressed. his hands handcuffed behind
him.
The Janitor's Escape
a gag in his mouth added to his strange
appearance. Unable to speak or use his
hands he danced up and down and made
growing sounds like a mad dog
The barber shop emptled itself and
Kohlman was not able at once to recog-
nize behind the gag and the jaunty dis
array of clothing his old friend Werkle.
janitor of the bank
The gag removed, Werkle was able to
blurt out the fact that the bank had been
robbed. The policeman across the street
was summoned and with him came Coax
ley. They heard an amazing and some
what incoherent tale. The policeman be-
ing rather young and inexperienced, lis
tened open mouthed and did not know
what to do
Coakley, the elderly and rather distin
guished looking gentleman. suggested that
the story sounded "fshy" and the police
man ought to investigate He did so. The
whole party entered the bank and Coax
ley was able to note that no teltale
clues had been left behind. He observed
with regret that while two of the safes
gaped wide open and the third contained
several wedges. it was still shut tight
The policeman held the half-crazed
Werkle prisoner and guarded the safe
while he sent Coakley to the police sta
ton to call out the reserves This er-
rand Coakley neglected and. instead
looked up Jimmy Hope. who. like most
robbers. was leading a double life. He
had wife and children in one part of
the city and in another a fashionable
apartment whore he was known AS Mr.
Hopely. retired capitalist, and had quite
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11

IN spite OF all this they knew Shevelin
was not ripe for arrest Finally, in
maudlin moment he conveyed the infor.
nation that be had been the means of
making a great achievement possible and
that he had been treated very shabbly.
The detectives at once had the bank
discharge him on some pretext foreign to
the robbery. This added to Shevelin'e
gloom. When, on top of this, he was ar
rested, he was quite ripe to confess.
That the gang might not become suspi-
clous. he was arrested for intoXication,
taken TO court the next day and dis
charged. AS soon as he stepped out OF
the court room he WAS re-arrested, and
this procedure was repeated day after
day
Still Shevelin refused to confess until
a detective telling him how much the
authorities knew about the case. informed
him that all the gang were rich beyond
measure except Shevelin.
What a sucker you we're. Pat" he con.
cluded. ito accept measly $4,000"
Shevelin eaped to his feet and shouted.
ITS lie. never got any $4,000, so
help me. heaven. / never got more than
$500 for It,"
81 apologize said the detective, you
are ten times bigger fool than any one
supposed"
shevelin realized he made hopelessly
hours the police were in possession OF
the complete details of the case.
The Watchman's Confession
For fear anyone should not believe the
actual amount that was taken from the
bank. refer you to the following official
list OF just what we got from the Man
haitian Bank as it was announced by the
president of the bank:
NOTICE.
THE MANHATTAN SAVINGS INSTITU-
TION was. on the morning of Sunday.
October 81 robbed OF securities to the
amount of s2,747.7O0. and 81 900 in cash.
as'follows:
THE STOLEN SECURITIES.
United States SIS of 1881. s OF
$4,000 each, 10 of 10000 each $500 900
United States 6's of 1881. 20 of
$4,000 each ........... 100000
United States 1910 bonds, 60 of
10000 each 100000
United States per cents, 80 OF
$4,000 each Observation-Disclosures. 100000
United States 5-20's OF July, 1865
70 OF $500 each, 35 of 81 900 each $4,000
New York State sinking fund gold
6's, registered. No. 49, ... $4,000
New York City Central Park fund
stock. certificate No. 1874 .. 22.700
New York County Court House
stock, per cent ..... 100000
New York City. accumulated deh.
per cent bonds. two Of 100000
each. and one Of $4,000. -. 100000
New York City Improvement stock.
10 certificates of $4,000 each. 100000
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11

downstairs, they found, as expected
Banjo Pete" Emerson in oyeralle and
false whiskers armed with a feather dus-
ter and made up to look exactly like the
janitor, Werkle. Banjo Pete" as his
name implies, was a musician, in fact had
been member OF negro minstrel troupe,
and was an actor Of no mean ability. 1t
was the ability to makeup and act which
made Hope cast him for the part of coun-
terfeit 1anitor. During the entire pro-
ceeding. he walked about the front of the
bank in full view from the street dustine
the furniture and keeping an eye out for
signals from old Abe Coakley, dean of the
burglars. who had the responsible posi-.
ton of watching all that went on outside.
Pooling the Patrolman
A policeman was in sight of the bank
during the entire activities and actually
Banjo Pete" looked up from his busting
and waved his hand to the policeman. who
thought he recognized his old friend
Werkle. nodded good morning." and then
passed on
Meanwhile Billy Kelly had taken his
place just inside the back door with a
pistol and a lead pipe and seated himself
on the back stairs, while George Mason
was sauntering about outside the door to
give warning and prevent interruption
from that point
All these men covered the operations
of Jimmy Hope and Johnny Dobbs, who
opened the vault door with Werkle's key
and combination, and fell to work on the
steer safes within. There we're three, one
on either side and one in the back. With
the sledge hammer and knife-edged wedges
the two burglars spread the crack OF one
Of the safe doors wide enough to force
in the necessary explosive. Pausing only
long enough TO learn from his confed-
crates that the coast was clear, Hope
touched it off A muffied reverberation
reached the policeman across the street.
He glanced over at the bank.
Banjo Pete dropped his buster. crossed
70 the window and peered out as II the
explosion were from outdoors somewhere,
and he were mildly wondering The po-
liceman resumed his reflections and the
work went on. Fifteen minutes later an
other muffed boom marked the blowing
Of the second safe.
At this point Hope and Dobbs paused
TO collect the booty. 1t was more than
they could carry, SO half peck of bonds
was passed out 10 the vigiant Billy Kelly
on the backstairs. as much more 10 the
silent Cooley. unwelcome watcher by the
bedside of the feeble old woman
With bullying eyes. Mr.. and Mrs. Werkle
saw few bags Of gold tossed in to their
guardians and pocketed. The gang had
been growing richer at the rate of about
a hundred thousand dollars minute for
some time.
AS Hope and Dobbs returned to attack
the third safe. which stood in the rear.
there came a threatened interruption.
George Mason, outside, gave the signal to
Billy Kelly. inside the back door to be
on guard. A milk wagon stopped, the
driver descended with quart OF milk,
opened the back door and was about to
ascend the stairs with 1t to deliver to
the janitor
Billy Kelly, on guard on the stairs for
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11

New York City Revenue Bond.
registered ............... 100000
Yonkers City per cent coupon
bonds. lis of $1,000 each. ..... $4,000
Brooklyn City Water Loan coupon
bonds, rs Of $1,000 each. 80. $4,000
East Chester Town coupon bonds.
SO of $1,000 each ........... $4,000
Cash Observation-Disclosures. 1900
Total amount stolen $2,758.7OO
CHARLES F. Afford, Secretary.
EDWARD SCHELL, President.
II Hope had found ten minutes more
time at his disposal he would have entered
the third safe, and, as it happened, come
upon almost three million more. How
ever, as 1t stood, this was the greatest
robbery ever achieved and as things were
each man of the gang should have been
rich.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11

NEXT SUNDAY
MoTERs OF CRIME WHO PROFESSIONAL
Notorious
Who
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11
NOTICE

THE MANHATTAN SAVINGS INsTITU
TloN was. on the morning of Sunday.
October q. robbed OF securities to the
amount of s2.747.7OO. and sl1 900 in cash.
asfolows:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11
The Watchman's Confession

For fear anyone should not believe the
actual amount that was taken from the
bank. refer you to the following official
list of just what we got from the Man
haitian Bank as it was announced by the
president of the bank:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-11
NOT A CRIME.

Says Ferdinand c. Schwedtman,
one time secretary of the National AS
sociation OF Manufacturers:
81 admit all of the (MulhalD allie
cations save one. We paid the ex-
penses of organizers in many congress
sional districts in the hope OF electing
men who were favorable to our prin-
ciples. If that is crime, then we are
guilty"
Unfortunately II is not a crime,
though it should be made one. For
Lumber, Tobacco, Wool, Steel, or
pther special interests to finance
the campaigns of congressman
favorable to their interests or to fight
the reelection OF congressman unfav-
orable to them, is to put barriers in
the way of selection of congressman
who will faithfully represent the in
terests Of those districts.
The principle Of plural voting, which
In England until recently gave the
owner of property a vote in every
election district where he had proper.
ty, and the same principle which de-
teats popular government OF Germany
would not be tolerated in this coun.
try.
Yet we permit the interests to en-.
Joy what amounts to plural voting in
the right TO spend money in behalf OF
or against congressman and senators
In every state and district
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-11
ENDLESS GOLD IN ALASKA.

Like a tale out OF the Arabian
Nights is the opinion given recently
by an expert on the future of Alaska
gold mining. only this expert bases
his opinion on facts, whereas the orr
entail story teller specialized in fancy.
But the testimony given by Falcon
Joslin before the senate committee at
Washington is doubly interesting be-
cause II exceeds the imagination of
the widest fancy while being based
on the facts in the case. Mr.. Joslin's
testimony from the Engineering Min
ing Journal follows:
In my judgment the placer-mining
industry in Alaska will last a thou
sand years, the area suitable for plac-
er-mining is so enormous. What we
are working there now is only the
gravels that will carry from SO TO SO
per yard. You cannot work gravels
that carry less than that, but once
we have transportation there, and
can work gravels such as they do IN
California, which carry cents per
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-11
NEED OF PARTY GOVERNMENT.

Much is said of the folly of partisan
ship and it is frequently declared that
men should treat lightly the lines Of
party.
The suggestion carried into effect
might easily make fault Of virtue.
If democratic senators in consider.
able number had shared the view that
the tariff question should be consider
ed without regard to party We should
administration measure instead of re-
joicing over its assured passage.
Just as a constitution written or un-
written is essential to determination
of what a nation and its laws stand for,
so a party platform is necessary to
determine what a party stands for.
And a party having gone before the
people Of the nation with promise to
revise the tariff downward and having
been successful in the election, it is
under sacred obligation TO the people
to fulfill the pledge of its platform.
II we should agree in the contention
that it is senator's or congressman s
right to refuse to be bound by his
party's platform, to threw off the
loose lines of party and declare him.
self answerable only to the dictates
Of his own conscience-these syn
chronizing significantly with the temp
er of the protected industries of his
| state,-then we should open the way
to rule by a tyrannizing minority
bound together by selfish interests
taking thought Of local welfare and
no heed of national welfare.
There is no way known Of ordering
government except through parties
They represent aggregations of Cit
zens agreeing on more things than
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-11
HENI1I ROWLAND

He would pay a hundred dollars for
suit of clothes and not
Waste moments time in giving to the
deal a second thought;
He would take a cab in order to save
seven minutes time.
For he felt that time was money; he ac-
counted 1t crime
II he had TO lose a second waiting for
another who,
In fulfilling an appointment, wasn't on
the spot when due.
He would bolt for elevators, often riskins
life and limb,
So that he could gain a minute which he
felt meant much to him;
He would pay the walters extra when he
had to go to eat,
Bribing them TO rush his order and be
lively on their feet;
He would hurry up the barber, giving
him q special fee,
Saying: Every minute wasted means a
heavy loss to me-
He was always paying money to secure
some new device
To assist him IN time-saving and was
glad to pay the price;
He was always fond of preaching that
the men who gain the top
Win because they count the seconds, but
his reasoning would stop
When he had to write dispatches; he
would read them through and
through,
Often taking fifteen minutes to cut out a
word or two.