The Northfield Tragedy; or, the Robber's Raid: A Thrilling Narrative; A history of the remarkable attempt to rob the bank at Northfield, Minnesota; the Cold-Blooded Murder of the Brave Cashier and an Inoffensive Citizen. The Slaying of Two of the Brigands. The Wonderful Robber Hunt and Capture Graphically Described. Biographies of the Victims, the Captors & the Notorious Younger and James Gang of Desperadoes — John Shaqi
The Northfield Tragedy; or, the Robber's Raid: A Thrilling Narrative; A history of the remarkable attempt to rob the bank at Northfield, Minnesota; the Cold-Blooded Murder of the Brave Cashier and an Inoffensive Citizen. The Slaying of Two of the Brigands. The Wonderful Robber Hunt and Capture Graphically Described. Biographies of the Victims, the Captors & the Notorious Younger and James Gang of DesperadoesHanson, J. H. (Joseph Have)
History
The Northfield Tragedy; or, the Robber's Raid: A Thrilling Narrative; A history of the remarkable attempt to rob the bank at Northfield, Minnesota; the Cold-Blooded Murder of the Brave Cashier and an Inoffensive Citizen. The Slaying of Two of the Brigands. The Wonderful Robber Hunt and Capture Graphically Described. Biographies of the Victims, the Captors & the Notorious Younger and James Gang of Desperadoes
Hanson, J. H. (Joseph Have)
Bank robberies -- Minnesota -- Northfield -- History -- 19th century
Mr. Bunker said that himself, Mr. Heywood and Mr. Wilcox were sitting at
their respective desks, when they heard a heavy rush from the bank door to
the counter. They turned round and saw three men climbing over the counter
and with their knees on it and revolvers pointed directly at the three
bank officers. A man presumed to be Jesse James, and who acted as leader,
called out, “Throw up your hands, we are going to rob the bank.” James
then ran across the room and passed Heywood into the vault, which was
open, but seeing the safe door closed, turned back from the entrance and
seizing Heywood by the collar who, from being older than the others and
from the position of his desk, was naturally supposed to be the cashier,
ordered him to open the safe, Mr. Heywood said it was a time lock, and it
could not be opened. The other said that was a d—d lie.
Charley Pitts then came up on the other side of Heywood and threatened to
kill him if he did not immediately open the safe. One of the others called
out, “Let’s cut his throat and be done with it.” Heywood commenced
shouting murder and repeated the cry three or four times. They then
hustled him about, and James struck him on the head with the butt end of
his pistol, knocking him down. He was then dragged towards the vault,
where he lay with his head partially in the vault. James then drew the
knife across Heywood’s neck, who did not say anything, appearing to be
partially insensible, when another of them stooped down and fired close to
the prostrate man’s head, the ball penetrating a tin box containing papers
in the vault.
All this time I was on my knees on the floor, with Bob Younger standing
guard over me. I had a revolver under the counter, where I stand, and
which was in full view, and I endeavored gradually to edge over and obtain
possession of it, but Bob saw the attempt, and seeing the weapon, put it
into his pocket, saying, at the same time, that I could do nothing with
this, and it was of no use. He then placed it in his pocket and commenced
searching me, but did not take anything from me. The pistol was a Smith &
Wesson, and we always regarded it as an excellent weapon. Bob having
turned his head partially around to see what was going on in the other
part of the room, I raised my head with the view of giving the alarm to
any one I saw in the street, but my movements were quickly observed by Bob
who pulled me down, saying at the same time, that I had better keep quiet
for, if I attempted to rise again he would kill me. He then inquired where
was the cashier’s till, and I pointed to a box containing some nickels and
scrip, the former done up in cartridges. He seemed to know very well there
was more loose money than that, and he told me he would kill me if I did
not show him the till. I did not answer him, and he pulled out a drawer
containing stationery, but the drawer having some $2,000 he did not open,
supposing, probably, that in its contents were the same.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account