They then asked which was the cashier, to which Mr. Heywood replied, “He
is not in.” They then sprang over the counter and demanded the safe to be
opened. Addressing each in turn they said: “You are the cashier,” which
each denied.
Seeing Heywood seated at the cashier’s desk, one of the ruffians went up
to him with his long, narrow-barrelled pistol and said:
“You are the cashier; now open the safe, you —— —— son of a ——.” Mr.
Heywood said:
“It is a time-lock and cannot be opened now.” One of the men then went
into the vault, the door being open. Heywood at once sprang forward and
closed the door of the vault, shutting the robber in, when another of the
men seized Heywood by the collar and dragged him away from the door and
released the incarcerated robber.
The man who came out of the vault—a slim, dark complexioned man, with a
black moustache, then called to the others to seize the silver which was
lying loose (about $15) and put it in the sack. They did not do this, but
seized about twelve dollars in scrip and put it into a two bushel flour
sack which they had with them. The dark complexioned man, who appeared to
be the leader, then again attacked Heywood, insisting upon his opening the
safe, threatening to cut his throat, if he did not, and actually drawing a
big knife across his throat.
The heroic and faithful teller, however, was not to be deterred from his
duty, and would rather