ROBBERS’ DARING RAID

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2090, 27 May 1907, Page 4

ROBBERS’ DARING RAID

RATTLE WITH DESPERADOES.

A daring attempt was made on March 20 by two bravos to rob the Johannesburg National Rank,and in a pitched battle with the bank officials which followed, one of tlfe men was fatally shot. Banks and business houses generally have armed their employees in consequence of frequent burglaries in Johannesburg during the past few months. Pedestrians have been held up and robbed in lonely streets, residences have been ransacked, and shops looted in the most audacious manner.

This bank raid, however, was the boldest attempt yet made.

Two men entered the Harrisonstreet branch of the National Bank shortly after 1 o’clock, when some of the officials were at lunch, and practically no business was being transacted,

Walking boldly up to the cashier’s window, one mail thrust a revolver through the window and demanded all the cash available. Meanwhile the second man kept guard at the street door.

Instead of complying with the demand, the cashier drew a revolver from a half-open drawer, ..and fired point-blauk at the robber. The bullet hit him on the jaw, andj lie/djropped to the floor. i . The second robber immediately returned the fire, and ‘half a dozen shots were exchanged with the- employees behind the counter. One bullet struck a clerk in the shoulder,

but tlio other shots wont wido, and worn oniboddod in tlio walls and coiling.

Tho noiso of tlio fusillade attracted moil from tlio stroot, and thtoy captured tlio second robber as lio tried to bolt through tho door after emptying liis rovolvor. He was ovorpowerod after a sovoro struggle. The other man was removed to tho hospital in a dying condition.