On the morning of January 26, 1876, seven men from New York City pulled off what would be, up to that time, the biggest bank robbery in United States history. The gang, who code-named themselves "Rufus," made off with more than $1.6 million in cash and bonds. The robbery was very well planned and several simple techniques were used to rob the bank. Initially, they monitored the bank and its surrounding area for activity and weaknesses. Next, they gathered inside information and secured the help of a safe salesman. Finally, they tunneled into the bank from the building next door. Because they knew everything about the bank, its layout, and its operation, "Rufus" was able to walk away with the $1.6 million. Unfortunately, neither the bank nor the sheriff and his men knew the first thing about "Rufus" until it was too late. Had either of them known what their assailants were up to and how they planned to do it, the $1.6 million might have stayed right where it was.

In September of the same year, a bit west of New York, several men rode their horses into the town of Northfield, Minnesota. Among these men were Frank James and his infamous brother Jesse. Jesse James and his boys had surely come to rob the Northfield bank. However, many of the towns-people, some of them former Civil War soldiers, recognized the look of a "bank robbery" the moment these strangers rode into town. With guns ablaze, the citizens of...