Concord’s Night of Terror: Jackson County, 1917
One of the most memorable events in the history of Concord is not a happy one; in fact, it still is upsetting to some residents, mainly because there was never closure.
This particular event took place well over 100 years ago, on Friday, November 9, 1917. It was very early that Friday morning that the Concord Bank was robbed of approximately $18,000.
Through most of the previous (Thursday) evening, a group of would-be robbers plotted the whole heist of the Farmer’s State Bank, with very precise and intricate planning.
In an attempt to insure they weren’t interrupted, questioned, or bothered by a police report, they cut the telegraph lines and placed lookouts around the downtown area. They made it known that nobody was safe, and if they saw anyone walking the streets, they would be shot. If they saw a house that had lights on, it would be blown up.
After the thieves were able to break into the bank, they used a charge of nitroglycerine to crack the safe at around 1:30am. The explosion failed to open the safe, but it was heard by a nearby resident who stuck his head out of his bedroom window to find out what happened. One of the thugs had been positioned outside as a lookout, and when he saw the man looking out the window he told him "put your head back or I’ll blow it off."
So he did...... put his head back in, that is.
After two more blasts of nitroglycerin, the safe was finally opened, and they grabbed $18,200 (equivalent of $476,300 in 2026) worth of gold coins and bills. They made their getaways in automobiles, and the culprits were never, ever found or identified. After more than 100 years, those who know Concord history still feel this is a thorn in the side that will never be removed.
The Farmers State Bank building still sits in downtown Concord. But no more banking business.....just an ATM.
