The copper era and Morenci leader. [volume] (Clifton, Ariz.) 1911-1929, 1915-08-27

Robber Escapes With Five Thous-
and DoIlars-Wore Black Handker-
chief Over Face-SherifTs Posse in
Pursuit. .14
A lone highwayman entered the
Bank of Metcalf at 1880 on
Wednesday morning, and at the point
of a gun, held up the Cashier, w.
E. Kelly, and made his escape with
five or six thousand dollars in cur
rency, gold and silver.
According to the best description
obtainable the man was an American,
about forty years of age, five feet
eight inches in height, and weighed
approximately 185 pounds. His hair
was tinged with gray and he had a
heavy mustache, although it is be-
heved that the mustache was false.
He wore a dull colored sweater, wide
brimmed hat and boots with spurs
and chains. His horse is described
as bay pony with two white front
feet and the saddle was an old one.
A few minutes before twelve o.
clock a stranger, having the appear
ance of a cowboy, rode through Met
calf and alighted in front of the
|
ed in a leisury manner and started to
tie his horse to a hitching post, the
horse becoming refractory, the rider
handed the reins to a Mexican boy
standing nearby and requested him
to hold the horse. He carriad a
slicker carelessly under his arm,
concealed in which was Winchester
rifle and a forty-five calibre six
shooter was concealed beneath the
sweater. He walked quietly into
the bank, closed the door behind him
and as Cashier w. E. Kelly advanc-
ed to ascertain his wants, he found
himself looking down the barrel of
a revolver, in the hands of man
whose face was concealed by a
black handkerchief, and was met with
the demand from the robber that the
Cashier deliver to him the keys to
the front door.
At the time of the entrance of the
robber Cashier Kelly was engaged in
conversation with Walter Doudna, the
well known proSpector and miner of
the district Fhey were seated in a
small ante room. In compliance
with the demand of the robber Kelly
handed over the key to the front
door of the bank, which the robber
locked and then marched Kelly, at
the point of gun, into the ante
room where for the first time he dis
covered the presence of Doudna.
Satisfying himself that there was no
means of exit from the ante room he
shut the door on them and proceed
ed in a leisurely manner to help him
self to the cash in sight, some gold
and silver. Entering the bank vault
he made a search for the currency bit
could not find it. He ordered Cash
ier Kelly to get it for him and fallow-
ed him into the vault where Kelly
to about $4500. The robber dumped
the gold silver and currency into a
bag and then ordered Kelly and
Doudna to step into the vault.
IF you lock US up in the vault, we'll
smother to DEATH" said the Cashier.
"All l want is a square deal"
You'll get that alright" said the
robber, step into the vault"
Doudna and Kelly complied and
the robber closed the door, leaving a
small crack in the same, and then
proceeded to secure the vault door
with small chains and a paddock
which he evidently brought along
for that purpose.
! Every movement of the robber
showed plainly that he was familiar
with the interior Of the bank and the
habits of the Cashier. He timed his
arrival for the noon hour knowing
well that it was the custom of the
Cashier to lock the bank while he
went to his lunch.
While Doudna and Kelly were con-
fined in the ante room of the bank
Doudna was making frantic signals
through small window in an effort
to attract the attention of the clerks
in he A. C. store. They gaily re-
urned the SALVATION, as they suppos-
ed, and with wave of their hands
returned to their duties.
After the robber had secured all
the money in sight and locked the
vault door with a chain he walked out
the front door of the bank, locked it
behind him, put the keys in his
pocket, mounted his horse, gave the
Mexican boy a dime for holding his
horse and rode of in the direction of
Coronado Hill.
Immediately after the departure of
the robber Kelly and Doudna began
an attack upon the lock and chains
with a hammer which was in the
vault and made their exit at exactly
four minutes past twelve. Accord
ing to their estimate the robber was
in the bank about nine minutes.
Upon gaining his liberty Kelly
rushed to the telephone and notified
the officers and also phoned to super
intendent Scott of the Coronado mine.
Scott replied that a man answering
that description had just passed there.
L ater a Mexican arrived in Metcalf
from Santa Rosa canyon and return
ed the keys to the bank cashier. He
stated that two men passed him on
horseback and one of them gave him
the keys. From this story it is evil