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Why Edward Green Committed The First Armed Bank Robbery In American History
A 19th century Massachusetts postmaster was the first person in the United States to hold up a bank, and got away with it, but only briefly
One of the most sensational crimes that can be committed in this country is an armed bank robbery. The brazen and violent attempt to abscond with money belonging to a community makes instant headlines regardless or not if the crime is successful. The first armed bank robbery attempt in American history was made by Edward Green, a hard-drinking postmaster with money problems. He may have initially gotten away with it, but was betrayed by his sloppiness and conscience, ultimately leading to his execution.
The First Bank of the United States was the country’s first bank, and was made possible when a bill authorizing its creation was signed into law by President George Washington in 1791. More banks followed as there was a gradual shift towards such institutions.
Surprisingly, it took more than 70 years for there to be an armed robbery staged at a bank. The circumstances of which were equal parts brutal and sad.
In 1863 in Malden, Massachusetts, Edward Green was a 27-year-old postmaster, with a wife and baby…
