Submitted by Glenn Teffeteller
From the Maryville Times, Saturday, October 21, 1899
Killed in a Raid
Three men attempt to rob the Bank of Sevierville.
On last Thursday, our little neighboring town of Sevierville was the scene of a deed which would rival Jesse James in his balmiest days. Three men, Will and Cal Derrick, and Pearl Thurman made a desperate attempt to rob the bank.
The two Derricks are from Knoxville, and Thurman is a resident of Sevier County. Will Derrick runs a livery stable in the above named city and it was at his barn the plan was conceived to rob the bank. The men had been drinking freely of that stuff which ruins the body and destroys the soul. And it was while under the influence of whiskey they committed the deed.
The plan of the would-be-robbers became known, by the timely assistance of friends, and a warm reception awaited them when they arrived at the bank about 9 o'clock Thursday morning. They rode down Main Street at break-neck speed with black caps over their faces, and halted in front of the bank. Will Derrick immediately fired into the bank -- and then the men who were in the Masonic building began firing upon the robbers. They were all wounded at the first fire, and two of their horses were killed. Will Derrick immediately jumped on his horse and started to run -- and did get about a mile away, when his horse dropped dead. He was pursued by a posse and he took refuge in a barn, and when called upon to surrender, placed a revolver to his head and killed himself, rather than be taken. He was wounded in several places and would have died.
His brother, Cal Derrick, was wounded twice, and he took refuge in a hotel where he was captured, and has since been bound over to court, and is now in jail.
Pearl Thurman, who was thought to be dead -- is still alive, but it is thought he will die as he is wounded fatally.
All of the men are young, their ages being respectively; Will Derrick 26, Cal Derrick 22, and Pearl Thurman 18.
They had evidently planned to make the raid at a precipitous time, for there is usually but one man in the bank at 9 o'clock in the morning. The telephone wires had been cut between Knoxville and Sevierville.
