A beautiful place in Russellville is this building that’s had several names and uses. Most famously as a bank. The Southern Bank of Kentucky and also a residence at the same time. It was built as a home for William Harrison in 1810 and then extensively remodeled in 1857 to become a bank as well.
During the early days of the War Between the States, David Norton, the president of the bank, and Marmaduke B. Morton, cashier, removed $1,000,000 from the vault and hid it in the surrounding hills until danger of confiscation by Union or Confederate forces had passed. The Southern Bank continued in operation until 1863 when the National bank laws were established.
This bank was robbed in 1868 by the Jesse James Gang. Ironically, Jesse James’ father, Robert James, a Baptist minister, was born in Logan County in 1820 and received his early education there. Jesse James and his gang got away with $9,000 after they shot the bank president. They were never caught.
