Chapter X The Heywood Memorial Fund
The following circular and statement concerning the fund contributed by the banks of the United States and Canada, as a testimonial to the heroism of Mr. Heywood, explain themselves:
To Banks and Bankers
On the 7th day of September, 1876, Mr. J. L. Heywood, Acting Cashier of the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota, was instantly killed by a pistol shot, while refusing to open his safe in obedience to the commands of a gang of ruffians who entered the bank in broad daylight with the avowed intention of robbery. Eight desperadoes, heavily armed (now supposed to be the James and Younger Brothers, of Missouri, and others), rode into town about noon and commenced shooting at all who made their appearance on the streets, while three of their number entered the bank. The citizens quickly comprehended the position, and with such firearms as they could command, opened fire on the horsemen, killing two of their number, and causing the others to take flight. Mr. Heywood could have saved his life by surrendering his trust, but, with a knife actually grazing his throat, replied that they could kill him, but that he would not open the safe.
Does not such a noble devotion to duty, in such marked contrast as it is to the frequent reports of defaulting clerks, demand of the Banking interest of the country some recognition. This young man leave a widow and one child in dependent circumstances. A voluntary offering on the part of each of the Banks and Bankers of the country, as a recognition of the rare fidelity to duty of Mr. Heywood, would place his family above want, and serve while the memory of this sad affair shall last, to show that faithfulness in places of trust is and will be appreciated.
In view of the above facts, a meeting of the Banks and Bankers of St. Paul, Minnesota, was held on September 19th, at which Five Hundred Dollars was subscribed, and Messrs. H. P. Upham, Jno. S. Prince, and Walter Mann, were appointed a committee to receive contributions for this object, and instructed to issue this circular appeal to the Banks and Bankers of the country.
Your attention is called to the following extract from the Boston Advertiser, which has suggested this action:
The Hero of Northfield
“The bank cashier, Mr. J. L. Heywood, of Northfield, Minn., who, with a bowie-knife at his throat and a pistol at his temple, returned a decisive ‘No’ to the demand of the gang of robbers that he should open the bank vault to be plundered, is rightly enrolled among the heroes of our times. In him fidelity and courage of the noblest quality were illustrated again. He is dead, but the trust committed to him was not betrayed, and his name will live in honor. He fell at the post of duty as gallantly as any knight of any age. He has done the world a service. We know nothing of his history but this one act for which he died, but it is enough. He belonged to the high order of manhood which yields to no threat, and calmly confronts all the odds of fate. Whether he has left father or mother, wife or child, we do not know; but if he has they have reason to be proud of their relation to such a man. The whole banking interest of the country owes him a debt. If he has left any who were dependent on him, they should be placed above the possibility of want. The bank he saved can afford to do this alone, but we hope it will be done handsomely and promptly by a combined movement on the part of all the banking institutions of the country. The encouragement of such conduct is the wisest measure of protection they can resort to. There ought to be such a testimonial of appreciation of his unquailing fidelity as will distinguish the example forever.”
H. THOMPSON, Prest. First National Bank, St. Paul.
D.A. MONTFORT, Prest. Second National Bank, St. Paul.
M. AUERBACH, Prest. Merchants National Bank. St. Paul.
F. WILLIUS, Prest. German American Bank, St. Paul.
JNO. S. PRICE. Prest. Savings Bank. St. Paul.
O. B. TURRELL, Prest. Marine Bank, St. Paul.
JNO. FARRINGTON, Prest. Farmers & Mechanics Bank, St. Paul.
DAWSON & Co., Bankers, St. Paul.
Please direct your replies to any of the above Banks, and they will be promptly acknowledged and faithfully applied.
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, Sept. 20, 1876.