Robber and hero: the story of the raid on the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota, by the James-Younger band of robbers, in 1876.Huntington, George
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Robber and hero: the story of the raid on the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota, by the James-Younger band of robbers, in 1876.
Huntington, George
Bank robberies -- Minnesota -- Northfield
Does not such a noble devotion to duty, in such marked contrast as it is
to the frequent reports of defaulting clerks, demand of the Banking
interest of the country some recognition. This young man leave a widow and
one child in dependent circumstances. A voluntary offering on the part of
each of the Banks and Bankers of the country, as a recognition of the rare
fidelity to duty of Mr. Heywood, would place his family above want, and
serve while the memory of this sad affair shall last, to show that
faithfulness in places of trust is and will be appreciated.
In view of the above facts, a meeting of the Banks and Bankers of St.
Paul, Minnesota, was held on September 19th, at which Five Hundred Dollars
was subscribed, and Messrs. H. P. Upham, Jno. S. Prince, and Walter Mann,
were appointed a committee to receive contributions for this object, and
instructed to issue this circular appeal to the Banks and Bankers of the
country.
Your attention is called to the following extract from the Boston
Advertiser, which has suggested this action:
THE HERO OF NORTHFIELD.
“The bank cashier, Mr. J. L. Heywood, of Northfield, Minn., who, with a
bowie-knife at his throat and a pistol at his temple, returned a decisive
‘No’ to the demand of the gang of robbers that he should open the bank
vault to be plundered, is rightly enrolled among the heroes of our times.
In him fidelity and courage of the noblest quality were illustrated again.
He is dead, but the trust committed to him was not betrayed, and his name
will live in honor. He fell at the post of duty as gallantly as any knight
of any age. He has done the world a service. We know nothing of his
history but this one act for which he died, but it is enough. He belonged
to the high order of manhood which yields to no threat, and calmly
confronts all the odds of fate. Whether he has left father or mother, wife
or child, we do not know; but if he has they have reason to be proud of
their relation to such a man. The whole banking interest of the country
owes him a debt. If he has left any who were dependent on him, they should
be placed above the possibility of want. The bank he saved can afford to
do this alone, but we hope it will be done handsomely and promptly by a
combined movement on the part of all the banking institutions of the
country. The encouragement of such conduct is the wisest measure of
protection they can resort to. There ought to be such a testimonial of
appreciation of his unquailing fidelity as will distinguish the example
forever.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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