| Clay County Savings Association Building | |
| Nrhp Type: | nrhp |
| Location: | Liberty, MO |
| Coordinates: | 39.2471°N -94.419°W |
| Architecture: | Federal |
| Added: | December 28, 1992 |
| Area: | less than one acre |
| Mpsub: | Liberty MPS |
| Refnum: | 92001675 |
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 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 or Archie Clement, which became known as the James–Younger Gang.
According to accounts of the day:
The entire maneuver lasted no more than 15 minutes.[2]
In total, the robbers collected at least $60,000.[1] Reportedly they collected government bonds worth $42,000[2] to $45,000,[1] $518 in tax stamps,[2] gold, silver coins, and banknotes.[2]
The bank offered a $5,000 reward for recovery of the money.[1] Attempts to track the robbers were hindered by snow that covered their tracks.[1] Articles in local newspapers implicated both former Confederate bushwackers[1] and Kansas Redlegs of the crime. Later, some townspeople admitted to recognizing some of the robbers but withholding the information out of fear.[2] 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.[2]
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.[3] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.