Ray County MO Archives News.....Murder and Robbery May 31, 1867
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Ronald J. Reid reid21@cox.net September 29, 2007, 10:35 am

The Liberty Tribune May 31, 1867
Liberty Weekly Tribune; Date: 1867 May 31.
Murder and Robbery.
News was received here this evening late, that a party of some 20 armed 
villains rode into Richmond today, at two o’clock, and succeeded in robbing the 
bank in that city of about $5000.
Before the robbery, the same scoundrels killed John B. Shaw, the mayor of the 
city, and Mr. Griffin, the jailor, and one of his sons.  The attack upon the 
jail was unsuccessful in releasing the prisoners in it.
The people were totally unprepared, when the attack was made, but are after the 
villains in strong force, and it is believed they cannot escape.
A courier reports heavy firing in the vicinity of Camden.
We have few or no details, of an important character, in regard to his horrid 
affair, nothing have been received during yesterday (Friday.)
We have seen a note from R. Wasson, president of the bank, which states that 
the robbery of that institution amounts to $4000 in cash, besides many valuable 
papers, the amount of which is not stated.
It is said that ten of these men crossed the river, at Sibley, about dusk 
Thursday.
It is stated here, but upon what authority we do not know, that some sixteen 
strange looking men were seen passing down the Independence road, in this 
direction, early on Thursday, the day of the murder and robbery, and that some 
five of them crossed the ferry at this point; and it is added, that some one in 
this county recognized one of the marauders.  Another person tells us that two 
or three and perhaps more, of these men were seen here in the morning, among 
them one of the villains that assisted in the robbery of the bank here some 
time ago.  Of course these statements are merely hearsay, and we only give them 
as they come to us, with not the least intention to endorse them as true.  It 
is hoped that the whole party may be arrested and brought to justice.
The Mr. Griffin killed is said to be the old gentleman that once resided in 
this city – Berry G.A. Griffin.  Which one of his sons were killed we have not 
learned.
So far as the safety of our banking houses here are concerned we can assure our 
readers that they need feel no uneasiness whatever, as they keep their entire 
assets deposited in St. Louis and the East, except the small sums necessary for 
the purpose of trade – at no time exceeding a very few thousand dollars – which 
are retained in their vaults, and by a careful distribution of the keys 
rendering it impossible to compel any of the officers to open their safes as 
the keys are beyond their control.
P.S. – Since the above was in type, further rumors have reached here.  One of 
these states that the bandits were over taken Thursday evening, and one of them 
wounded; and on Friday morning another fight occurred, when the wounded man was 
taken.  Another story is that several of the party were killed.  We know 
nothing of them. – Lexington Express, May 23.
The question is now settled that many, if not all, the villains engaged in the 
robbery and murder at Richmond were from this county, or at least they went 
from this county.  They are the last remnant of the cut throat crew of 
scoundrels that have infested this and adjoining counties for the last two 
years.  This is, we presume their last desperate attempt in this county, as 
they stated to persons with whom they stayed the night before the robbery that 
they were then on their road South.
Many of these men were well known in this county, and the citizens should rise 
in their manhood and apprehend the scoundrels if they ever dare show their 
faces here again.  If that is impossible, then shoot them as they would so many 
wolves, as enemies to society and humanity.
Organizations are being formed in the lower part of the county to kill or drive 
the last villain from this locality; but the probability is that the rascals 
engaged in the outrages at Richmond, have gone to Texas before this. – Kansas 
City Advertiser.


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