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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.
THE RESPONSE.
ST. PAUL, MINN., February 1st, 1877.
TO THE SUBSCRIBERS TO THE “HEYWOOD FUND.”—The undersigned, a committee appointed at a meeting of the Banks and Bankers of St. Paul, Minnesota, Sept. 19th, 1876, to issue a circular appeal to all Banks and Bankers in the United States and Canada, requesting voluntary contributions in aid of the family of JOSEPH LEE HEYWOOD, late Acting Cashier of the First National Bank, of Northfield, Minn., respectfully report that on Sept. 20th, 1876, we prepared a circular, and mailed about seven thousand copies, to all Banks, Bankers, and Savings Banks in the United States, Territories, and Canada.
| In response to which we have received in cash | $12,701.57 |
| Less amount paid for printing and postage | 99.51 |
| $12,602.06 |
| The First National Bank of Northfield donated to Mrs. Heywood and the child, direct | 5,000.00 |
| Sum total contributed | $17,602.06 |