Year: 1869

bunA ttODDeu huu CHbuEer tAtiIeus


few days since two men rode up on horseback
in front of the Daviess County. Savings Association
Bank in Gallatin, Missouri One of the men imme-
diately dismounted and went into the bank, pre-
sented 500 bill to the cashier, Captain John w.
Sheets and requested small bills for it. Captain
Sheets went to the safe, got the change and was
counting it, when the man who presented the bill
drew a revolver and shot him through the head.
There was no other person in the bank, except
young man named Mcdowell, who attempted to
escape but the murderer took him prisoner while his
confederate waited at the door of the bank and
barred all egress.


AS soon as this Aend had shot the Cashier he COM
menced robbing the bank OF all funds that could be
found, from 5000 to $500. After accomplishing his
object he ran out into the street and mounted his
horse but was Immediately thrown and dragged
thirty or forty feet. AS soon as he could release
himself from the strrup he mounted the horse upon
which his accomplice was riding, when they put
spurs to the animal and dashed out OF town When
they had ridden short distance the road they
met DR.. Daniel Smoot on horseback whom they
halted and, placing revolver at his head ordered
him to dismount. Seeing that they were despera-
safety was in complying with their demand.


Immediately one OF the robbers jumped upon the
horse which they had thus summary captured and
the two rode in the direction of the Hannibal and ST.
Joseph Railroad with all speed.


Not more than ten minutes had elapsed before
party OF citizens were in pursuit. The pursuing
party for some distance, occasionally came in sight
Of the fugitives, but could not oyerake them. The
latter struck OIL southwestwardly, in the direction
OF Kidder. couple OF miles north Of that place they
met Rev. Mr.. Helm, Methodist clergyman return
ing from town, and stopping him, compelled him to
guide them around the place They crossed the rail-
road half mile west of Ktdder and when last heard
from were six miles south Of that place. going in the
direction OF the Missouri river.


Between Gallatin and Kdder the murderers
stopped and conversed with several persons. They
said they had killed Major s. p. Cox If they had not
made mistake in the man-one OF the men stating
that he Bill Andersons brother, and that Major
Cox had killed Anderson The general impression,
however is that the sole object Of the men was to
obtain the money in the bank.


There was in bank at the time only s700. In their
hurry the robbers, instead Of taking the package
containing this, took package containing about 50
in fractional currency. Mr.. Mcdowell, a lawyer,
who had his office in the bank, had narrow escape.
He was shot at twice he ran out of the door to
give the alarm.


Captain John W. Sheets was one of the eldest re-
sidents Of Davless county, and man of.consderabe
property. Honorable, quiet, and unassuming an
estmable citizen in all the relations OF life and
firm friend, he was one OF those men who always
secure the respect and regard Of the entire COM
munity.


The murderers crossed the railroad near the resi-
dence OF Patrick S. Kenney, Esq Word had been
sent to Mr. Kenney, and Immediately on its receipt
he armed himself with double-barreed shotgun
and took up his post the crossing. Here he re-
NAMED on watch some three hours when, from q
gentleman who came along, he learned that the
scoundres had crossed the road at that place about


fifteen minutes before word OF the affair reached his
house.