The Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri, was robbed on February 13, 1866, making it one of the earliest documented daylight bank robberies. The robbers escaped with at least $60,000 (equivalent to $1,249,000 in 2023[2]) and killed a bystander outside. The robbery is believed to have been conducted by a group of former Confederate guerrillas, possibly led by Jesse James[3] or Archie Clement, which became known as the James–Younger Gang.
On the afternoon of February 13, 1866, "some ten or twelve persons rode into town"[4] and milled outside the Clay County Savings Association building.[3]
Two of the riders entered the bank,[4] which was staffed only by the head cashier, Greenup Bird,[3] and his son, William Bird, who was a bank clerk.[4]
After asking to change a $10 bill,[4] the men drew revolvers and demanded money.[3]
William loaded the robbers' feed sack with gold, currency, bonds, and tax stamps.[3][4]
The two Birds were herded into the bank's vault,[3][4] and the robbers left the building.
As the robbers mounted to ride away, shots were fired. Accounts differ: problems with mounting a horse caused a "commotion" during which someone opened fire,[3] or perhaps one of the gang fired "without any sort of provocation whatever".[4] George "Jolly"[3] Wymore, a 19-year-old[4] student from William Jewell College who was across the street, was killed by a bullet.
The gang rode away, pursued after a time by a posse of "outraged"[4] townspeople who "could procure arms and horses".[4]
The entire maneuver lasted no more than 15 minutes.[3]
The bank offered a $5,000 reward for recovery of the money.[4] Attempts to track the robbers were hindered by snow that covered their tracks.[4] Articles in local newspapers implicated both former Confederate bushwackers[4] and Kansas Redlegs of the crime. Later, some townspeople admitted to recognizing some of the robbers but withholding the information out of fear.[3] The robbers were never caught, and no money was ever recovered. The Association eventually settled with creditors for 60 cents on the dollar and closed.[3]
The building is located at 104 East Franklin Street, a block northeast of the Clay County Courthouse. It was built in 1859, and is a two-story, Federal style rectangular brick building with a gable roof.[5]: 2 It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.[1]
^1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda(PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States(PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
^ abcdefghijklmn. The James-Younger Gang: Come Ride With Us. Archived from the original on 22 December 1996. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
^ abcdefghijklmnoNational Historical Company (1885). History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri. St. Louis, Missouri: Press of Nixon-Jones Printing Co. pp. 259–260.
^Deon K. Wolfenbarger (n.d.). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Clay County Savings Association Building" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
April 11, 2024
clay, county, savings, association, building, clay, county, savings, association, liberty, missouri, robbed, february, 1866, making, earliest, documented, daylight, bank, robberies, robbers, escaped, with, least, equivalent, 2023, killed, bystander, outside, r. The Clay County Savings Association in Liberty Missouri was robbed on February 13 1866 making it one of the earliest documented daylight bank robberies The robbers escaped with at least 60 000 equivalent to 1 249 000 in 2023 2 and killed a bystander outside The robbery is believed to have been conducted by a group of former Confederate guerrillas possibly led by Jesse James 3 or Archie Clement which became known as the James Younger Gang Clay County Savings Association BuildingU S National Register of Historic PlacesClay County Savings Association buildingShow map of MissouriShow map of the United StatesLocationLiberty MOCoordinates39 14 49 58 N 94 25 8 36 W 39 2471056 N 94 4189889 W 39 2471056 94 4189889Arealess than one acreBuilt1859 1859 Architectural styleFederalMPSLiberty MPSNRHP reference No 92001675 1 Added to NRHPDecember 28 1992According to accounts of the day On the afternoon of February 13 1866 some ten or twelve persons rode into town 4 and milled outside the Clay County Savings Association building 3 Two of the riders entered the bank 4 which was staffed only by the head cashier Greenup Bird 3 and his son William Bird who was a bank clerk 4 After asking to change a 10 bill 4 the men drew revolvers and demanded money 3 William loaded the robbers feed sack with gold currency bonds and tax stamps 3 4 The two Birds were herded into the bank s vault 3 4 and the robbers left the building As the robbers mounted to ride away shots were fired Accounts differ problems with mounting a horse caused a commotion during which someone opened fire 3 or perhaps one of the gang fired without any sort of provocation whatever 4 George Jolly 3 Wymore a 19 year old 4 student from William Jewell College who was across the street was killed by a bullet The gang rode away pursued after a time by a posse of outraged 4 townspeople who could procure arms and horses 4 The entire maneuver lasted no more than 15 minutes 3 In total the robbers collected at least 60 000 4 Reportedly they collected government bonds worth 42 000 3 to 45 000 4 518 in tax stamps 3 gold silver coins and banknotes 3 The bank offered a 5 000 reward for recovery of the money 4 Attempts to track the robbers were hindered by snow that covered their tracks 4 Articles in local newspapers implicated both former Confederate bushwackers 4 and Kansas Redlegs of the crime Later some townspeople admitted to recognizing some of the robbers but withholding the information out of fear 3 The robbers were never caught and no money was ever recovered The Association eventually settled with creditors for 60 cents on the dollar and closed 3 The building is located at 104 East Franklin Street a block northeast of the Clay County Courthouse It was built in 1859 and is a two story Federal style rectangular brick building with a gable roof 5 2 It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 1 References edit nbsp Banks portal a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 1634 1699 McCusker J J 1997 How Much Is That in Real Money A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States Addenda et Corrigenda PDF American Antiquarian Society 1700 1799 McCusker J J 1992 How Much Is That in Real Money A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States PDF American Antiquarian Society 1800 present Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Consumer Price Index estimate 1800 Retrieved February 29 2024 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Clay County Savings Association Bank Liberty Missouri The James Younger Gang Come Ride With Us Archived from the original on 22 December 1996 Retrieved 6 February 2014 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o National Historical Company 1885 History of Clay and Platte Counties Missouri St Louis Missouri Press of Nixon Jones Printing Co pp 259 260 Deon K Wolfenbarger n d National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form Clay County Savings Association Building PDF Missouri Department of Natural Resources Retrieved 2016 11 01 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Clay County Savings Association Building amp oldid 1145403768, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
