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 Bank Vault from the 1860's |
Before the Civil War began, it was very rare for a bank to be robbed. Banks were supposed to be safe. Then Frank and Jesse James came on the scene. Most historians agree that the first robbery Frank and Jesse committed was a holdup of the Clay County Saving Bank in Liberty, Missouri. A total of ten men were involved. The Cashier, Greenup Bird and his son William had just opened the bank. One of the criminals asked for change for a ten-dollar bill, then, pulled out a gun and said, “I’d like all the money in the bank.” The two bank employees were forced into the vault while the outlaws filled a wheat sack with over $60,000 in cash and bonds. |
As they left town, shooting their guns wildly to frighten the citizens, a college student, named George Wymore was gunned down in cold blood.
Banks became a popular target for outlaws. Usually only one or two employees would be in a bank at a time, and outlaws knew that there would always be some money for the taking.
Because banks were usually located in town where there were people and witnesses, and even armed citizens, many outlaws preferred robbing trains or stagecoaches instead because the odds of getting caught were slimmer.
| Bank robbers were not very good at saving their loot. They liked to spend it FAST! After robbing a bank in Winnemucca, Nevada, Butch Cassidy, Kid Curry, and the rest of the Wild Bunch escaped to Fort Worth, Texas. They had a wild spending spree, bought themselves new clothes, and then decided to pose for a portrait. The photograph turned out well, and Butch couldn’t resist the temptation to mail a copy back to the Winnemucca bank. He enclosed a note that said, “Thanks for your contribution.” (See the photo on Butch's WANTED page) |  The Bank of Montpelier, site of one of Butch Cassidy's bank robberies |