Source: Marion Leader-Tribune, Marion, Indiana, January 3, 1925, p. 1.
TWO MORE BANDITS FALL IN THE TRAP
Couple, Man and Wife, Admit They Were Part of the Gang Which Robbed Marion Bank
Romance Enters Into the Lives of Bandits, Stranger Than the Most Imaginative Fiction, for Girlhood Friendships, and Boyhood Love Affirs, Form Chapters in the Lives of Men and Women In Jail, and of Others Not Yet Captured
Robert Morse, 25, an automobile mechanic and his wife, Emily Morse, 27 years old, were arrested shortly after five o'clock last night by Sheriff Bert Renbarger, detectives from the Indianapolis police force and operatives from the Webster Detective agency at their home, 59 South Lasalle street, Indianapolis, on charges of automobile banditry. They are charged specifically with robbing the South Marion State bank on the afternoon of November 26, when approximately $4,000 was taken.
Morse and his wife both admitted to being in the gang of seven people, five men and two women, who took part in this robbery, but denied being with the gang at Upland and Noblesville. They were brought back to Marion and put in the Grant county jail, arriving here shortly after ten o'clock last night.
Although they had read accounts of the robbery at the Marion bank, and arrests the couple did not leave Indianapolis but moved to the LaSalle street address on December 30, from another part of Indianapolis, and they showed no surprise when they were placed under arrest.
Old Schoolmates
Mrs. Morse was the other woman, Mrs. Mary Bridgewater, who is also in jail here, who sat in the seat of the automobile, while the men entered the South Marion bank and robbed it. It was brought out with the arrest of the Morse couple last night that Mrs. Morse and Mrs. Bridgewater are old schoolmates and that Morse was a sweetheart of Mrs. Bridgewater, before her marriage to her present husband.
The Morse residence was searched by the officers and all that was found of any consequence WAS A BLOND SWITCH, WHICH WAS SAID TO BE WORN BY MRS. MORSE ON HER TRIP TO MARION. MRS. MORSE HAS A HEAD OF BLACK HAIR.
After the officers had grilled Mr. and Mrs. Morse for some time at Indianapolis, they admitted to having taken part in the South Marion bank robbery. Morse said that he was an automobile mechanic by trade and that he and his wife had never been in trouble of any kind before and that he was coaxed into joining the gang by the other members of the band. He said that he received as his share of the loot only $153, while he was supposed to get as his share about $600. He said that his share was counted out and handed to him by another member of the gang and was told that the pile of money contained $600.
Plans Are Changed
Morse and his wife said that the gang of five men and two women had driven to Hartford City with the intention, at first, of robbing a bank at that place, but changed their minds and came on to Marion, on November 26. They drove around the city in their Nash car and drove past the South Marion bank several times to size up the lay of the land.
Later they drove up to within two blocks of the bank, Morse said, when four of the men got out and went into the bank, while the two women and one man remained in the machine and drove around in the vicinity and then up in front of the bank. After the bank had been robbed, the gang jumped into the car and drove to Lebanon and then on to Indianapolis. They had at first intended to use a Dodge car on the trip to Marion, but this car was wrecked and then they secured a Nash car.
Sheriff Renbarger left for Indianapolis yesterday afternoon and arrived there in the afternoon and in company with detectives from the police department and Webster agency, they drove to the Morse home and made the arrests.
Three Are at Large
The total number of arrests made in connection with the robbing of the Upland and Marion banks, now totals six, four men and two women. Three of the five men who took part in the South Marion bank are now in custody, as well as the two women and three of the band of five men who robbed the Upland bank are now behind prison bars. Three members of the gang are yet at large.
Sheriff Renbarger said last night that Mrs. Bridgewater and Mrs. Morse would be arraigned in court on charges of automobile banditry. Although the women did not actually hold up the bank officers and take the money, under the law they are equally guilty with the men and now face long terms in prison.
While Mrs. Bridgewater told a Leader-Tribune reporter, after her arrest, that she did not know that the bank was being robbed while she was out in the automobile, Mrs. Morse admitted to the officers last night that she knew the men were going out to rob the Marion bank.
------
This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robberies of the Upland State bank and South Marion bank by a group of robbers, led by my paternal cousin, Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934). Harry later became famous as a member of the "Terror Gang" with John Dillinger. These earlier robberies terrorized Indiana during 1924-25.
Black Sheep Sunday – create a post with the main focus being an ancestor with a “shaded past.” Bring out your ne’er-do-wells, your cads, your black widows, your horse thieves and tell their stories. And don’t forget to check out the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists (IBSSG). This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Couple Escapes Flames In Early Morning Fire
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| Alexandria Times-Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, April 21, 1999, page 1. |
by Linda Ferris
An Alexandria man was pulled to safety early Tuesday morning by his wife and a neighbor as flames raced through a home on CR 900N.
The single-story, block home of Robert and Barbara Webster, 551 W. County Road 900N, was heavily damaged. Robert Webster, 68, a stroke patient, was later taken to Community Hospital for evaluation.
Barbara Webster, who had been ill all night, heard the popping and cracking that warned her of the fire, according to Alexandria Assistant Fire Chief Dan Ingram. Believing the sounds were coming from the kitchen, she checked the microwave first. Then she went to the attached garage, where she saw flames in the southeast corner.
"She tried putting it out but wasn't able to," Ingram said. "She tried to call 9-1-1 but couldn't because the telephone line was dead."
A knocking at their door woke Ord and Gloria LeMaster, the Webster's neighbors to the west. Gloria LeMaster said they recognized the pickup in their driveway, but could not see anyone. Barbara Webster, Gloria LeMaster's aunt, had already ran next door to the home of Robert and Anna McDaniel, who didn't hear the doorbell.
Seeing the fire, Ord LeMaster shouted for his wife to call 9-1-1. The call rang in at the Alexandria police station at 4:17 a.m., according to dispatcher Steve Gipe.
Ord LeMaster then headed to the burning home. "He said when he got down there the house was full of smoke," said Gloria LeMaster.
Robert Webster, who was in bed in the living room, was lifted into a wheelchair by his wife and Ord LeMaster. The family's dog gave LeMaster some resistance until it understood what he was doing, according to Gloria LeMaster. After her husband took her uncle out, he looked back to find her aunt had gone back into the house.
"He yelled at her to get out," Gloria LeMaster said. "It was probably shortly after that the fire trucks arrived."
"By the time we got here, we had visible fire through half the attic," Ingram said.
Calls for mutual aid brought a stream of tankers from Frankton, Richland and Pipe Creek townships. To facilitate their movement, Ingram said Conrail was asked to halt its trains for about two hours. The tracks run between the Webster's home and the closest water source, a hydrant on Ind. 9 across from the Hi-Way Cafe.
The fire originated in the attached, two-car garage. It was ignited by electrical wiring, according to the fire department report. The Websters' loss was estimated at $100,000.
Assisting Alexandria's firefighters on the scene were Emergency Management volunteers, who blocked the road from onlookers, and Orestes firefighters, who refilled air bottles with the Madison County Air Van.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Grandma Wright's Wedding Dress
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| The Alexandrian, Alexandria, Indiana, July 1, 1986 |
Home Tour - Gloria LeMaster, right, presided over the front parlor of the Scott-Malone Place Thursday. Her grandmother Wright's wedding dress and license were on display, commemorating the fact that while the home was owned by the First Christian Church, numerous couples such as the Wrights were married in the front parlor. Gloria's two aunts, Clara Ellen High and Barbara Webster, visited the home, now owned by John and Marsha Madden, during the benefit tour sponsored by the Alexandria-Monroe Historical Society.
This article was from a collection of newspaper clippings that my parents have saved for their "Indiana Room" at their home. My grandparents, Virgil Lee WRIGHT and Edna Muriel "Peach" PIERCE, were married June 15, 1915 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday: Hold Woman As Bandit Accomplice
Source: Marion Leader-Tribune, Marion, Indiana, January 1, 1925, p. 1
HOLD WOMAN AS BANDIT ACCOMPLICE
Was In Auto When Marion Bank Robbed
Mrs. Mary Bridgewater, 29, Denies Complicity in Crime
Married But A Month
Was Asked, She Said, to Take Auto Ride and Ignorant of the Plan
One more thread of the web covering up the identity and activities of the bank bandits who robbed the Upland state bank of $2,500, the South Marion bank of $4,000, the Lebanon hardware store, and attempted to rob the Noblesville bank, was unwound by the authorities yesterday when Mrs. Mary Bridgewater, 29, of Indianapolis, was brought to Marion and placed in jail.
Mrs. Bridgewater, claiming to have been married less than a month, admits she and another woman were in the car when the South Marion bank was robbed.
The woman denies she had any part in the robbery, and says she was not with the gang when the other robberies were committed.
Takes Precautions
Because of alleged statements made about their desire to avoid punishment, Sheriff Bert Renbarger has thrown a close guard around the prisoners. They are kept separately and are being watched closely.
William Behrens, one of the bandits, under sentence of from ten to twenty-five years, said yesterday he would prefer to take a man's place condemned to the electric chair than a long prison term. He has already served time.
Marion "Red" Smith plead guilty in the circuit court yesterday to auto banditry and like his two associates, Behrens and Robbins, was given a sentence of from ten to twenty-five years.
Three men of the gang and one woman are still at large, but it is thought authorities will soon have them.
Sheriff Bert Renbarger is working closing with the Webster detective agency at Indianapolis, and other authorities in solving the robberies. It is believed the whole gang will soon be behind bars. Three now await long terms, a third awaits hearing.
With three of the gang of six bank robbers who have infested Grant and other counties in jail and sentenced to prison, the unceasing vigilance of detectives, sheriffs and other officers in attempting to round up the entire gang, met with success again late yesterday afternoon, when a woman was arrested at Indianapolis on a charge of complicity in the bank robbery of the South Marion State bank. She is Mrs. Mary Bridgewater, 29 years old, giving Indianapolis as her home. She was brought to the Grant County jail last night by detectives from the Webster agency of Indianapolis, who made the arrest.
Talks to Reporter
According to her story told to a Leader-Tribune reporter last night, Mrs. Bridgewater had been visiting with relatives in the southern part of the state since Christmas and had not heard of the arrest of the three bandits. She had just returned to Indianapolis yesterday afternoon and was just starting to enter her home when she was placed under arrest.
She admitted last night to being one of two women who occupied the Nash car as it stood in front of the South Marion State bank on the afternoon of November 27, when the male occupants of the car held up the officers and customers in the bank and secured about $4,000. She denied being with the bandits at the Upland bank and also at Noblesville.
"The men asked me and another woman if we wanted to go on an automobile ride," Mrs. Bridgewater said, "and we replied that we would go. They did not tell us where our destination was or for what purpose the trip was being made. When the automobile reached the South Marion bank, the men got out and said for us to remain in the car, as they were going into the bank for a few minutes. They did not tell us why they went into the bank and I did not know that the bank was being robbed."
Drove to Indianapolis
"After the robbery, we drove back to Indianapolis. I did not get any of the money which was stolen from the Marion or Upland bank."
Mrs. Bridgewater, who has dark complexion, hair and eyes, seemed to bear out her statement that she had received none of the stolen money, as she was dressed very ordinarily, wearing a long coat of imitation fur. She said she had been married to her present husband less than one month and that this is her third marriage, and has four children by the former marriages. She said that she had never been in trouble of any kind before and that last night was her first night in any jail.
The woman stated that she was not well acquainted with her present husband before she married him and that his occupation was that of a lineman.
Marion Smith, alias "Red" Smith, the third bandit, who was arrested at Indianapolis Tuesday afternoon, was arraigned in circuit court yesterday, where he entered a plea of guilty to a charge of automobile banditry and was given a sentence of from ten to twenty years in the state reformatory, from which institution he was released only five months ago, after serving a sentence for vehicle taking.
William Behrens, also known as "Red," who was given his sentence Tuesday afternoon, told Sheriff Renbarger yesterday that he is willing to trade places with some condemned....in the electric chair...long term in court yesterday morning, admitted to taking part in the South Marion bank robbery, as well as the Upland robbery. He said that he was taken from his mother when he was only fourteen months old and had not seen his parents since that time and that he had just recently received word that a woman he believed to be his mother, was located in Sedalia, Mo., and that he needed some money to go to that city. He gave his home address as Brazil, Ind., where he had been employed in washing gravel.
Following a statement made by Behrens to Turnkey Marsh that he, Behrens, would get out of jail if he could find any possible way, has led to extra precautions being taken with the bandits. Each bandit has been placed on separate floors, with the woman, arrested last night, placed in the women's department.
------
This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robberies of the Upland State bank and South Marion bank by a group of robbers, led by my paternal cousin, Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934). Harry later became famous as a member of the "Terror Gang" with John Dillinger. These earlier robberies terrorized Indiana during 1924-25.
Black Sheep Sunday – create a post with the main focus being an ancestor with a “shaded past.” Bring out your ne’er-do-wells, your cads, your black widows, your horse thieves and tell their stories. And don’t forget to check out the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists (IBSSG). This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.
HOLD WOMAN AS BANDIT ACCOMPLICE
Was In Auto When Marion Bank Robbed
Mrs. Mary Bridgewater, 29, Denies Complicity in Crime
Married But A Month
Was Asked, She Said, to Take Auto Ride and Ignorant of the Plan
One more thread of the web covering up the identity and activities of the bank bandits who robbed the Upland state bank of $2,500, the South Marion bank of $4,000, the Lebanon hardware store, and attempted to rob the Noblesville bank, was unwound by the authorities yesterday when Mrs. Mary Bridgewater, 29, of Indianapolis, was brought to Marion and placed in jail.
Mrs. Bridgewater, claiming to have been married less than a month, admits she and another woman were in the car when the South Marion bank was robbed.
The woman denies she had any part in the robbery, and says she was not with the gang when the other robberies were committed.
Takes Precautions
Because of alleged statements made about their desire to avoid punishment, Sheriff Bert Renbarger has thrown a close guard around the prisoners. They are kept separately and are being watched closely.
William Behrens, one of the bandits, under sentence of from ten to twenty-five years, said yesterday he would prefer to take a man's place condemned to the electric chair than a long prison term. He has already served time.
Marion "Red" Smith plead guilty in the circuit court yesterday to auto banditry and like his two associates, Behrens and Robbins, was given a sentence of from ten to twenty-five years.
Three men of the gang and one woman are still at large, but it is thought authorities will soon have them.
Sheriff Bert Renbarger is working closing with the Webster detective agency at Indianapolis, and other authorities in solving the robberies. It is believed the whole gang will soon be behind bars. Three now await long terms, a third awaits hearing.
With three of the gang of six bank robbers who have infested Grant and other counties in jail and sentenced to prison, the unceasing vigilance of detectives, sheriffs and other officers in attempting to round up the entire gang, met with success again late yesterday afternoon, when a woman was arrested at Indianapolis on a charge of complicity in the bank robbery of the South Marion State bank. She is Mrs. Mary Bridgewater, 29 years old, giving Indianapolis as her home. She was brought to the Grant County jail last night by detectives from the Webster agency of Indianapolis, who made the arrest.
Talks to Reporter
According to her story told to a Leader-Tribune reporter last night, Mrs. Bridgewater had been visiting with relatives in the southern part of the state since Christmas and had not heard of the arrest of the three bandits. She had just returned to Indianapolis yesterday afternoon and was just starting to enter her home when she was placed under arrest.
She admitted last night to being one of two women who occupied the Nash car as it stood in front of the South Marion State bank on the afternoon of November 27, when the male occupants of the car held up the officers and customers in the bank and secured about $4,000. She denied being with the bandits at the Upland bank and also at Noblesville.
"The men asked me and another woman if we wanted to go on an automobile ride," Mrs. Bridgewater said, "and we replied that we would go. They did not tell us where our destination was or for what purpose the trip was being made. When the automobile reached the South Marion bank, the men got out and said for us to remain in the car, as they were going into the bank for a few minutes. They did not tell us why they went into the bank and I did not know that the bank was being robbed."
Drove to Indianapolis
"After the robbery, we drove back to Indianapolis. I did not get any of the money which was stolen from the Marion or Upland bank."
Mrs. Bridgewater, who has dark complexion, hair and eyes, seemed to bear out her statement that she had received none of the stolen money, as she was dressed very ordinarily, wearing a long coat of imitation fur. She said she had been married to her present husband less than one month and that this is her third marriage, and has four children by the former marriages. She said that she had never been in trouble of any kind before and that last night was her first night in any jail.
The woman stated that she was not well acquainted with her present husband before she married him and that his occupation was that of a lineman.
Marion Smith, alias "Red" Smith, the third bandit, who was arrested at Indianapolis Tuesday afternoon, was arraigned in circuit court yesterday, where he entered a plea of guilty to a charge of automobile banditry and was given a sentence of from ten to twenty years in the state reformatory, from which institution he was released only five months ago, after serving a sentence for vehicle taking.
William Behrens, also known as "Red," who was given his sentence Tuesday afternoon, told Sheriff Renbarger yesterday that he is willing to trade places with some condemned....in the electric chair...long term in court yesterday morning, admitted to taking part in the South Marion bank robbery, as well as the Upland robbery. He said that he was taken from his mother when he was only fourteen months old and had not seen his parents since that time and that he had just recently received word that a woman he believed to be his mother, was located in Sedalia, Mo., and that he needed some money to go to that city. He gave his home address as Brazil, Ind., where he had been employed in washing gravel.
Following a statement made by Behrens to Turnkey Marsh that he, Behrens, would get out of jail if he could find any possible way, has led to extra precautions being taken with the bandits. Each bandit has been placed on separate floors, with the woman, arrested last night, placed in the women's department.
------
This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robberies of the Upland State bank and South Marion bank by a group of robbers, led by my paternal cousin, Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934). Harry later became famous as a member of the "Terror Gang" with John Dillinger. These earlier robberies terrorized Indiana during 1924-25.
Black Sheep Sunday – create a post with the main focus being an ancestor with a “shaded past.” Bring out your ne’er-do-wells, your cads, your black widows, your horse thieves and tell their stories. And don’t forget to check out the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists (IBSSG). This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Playing At The Treehouse
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| Anderson Herald-Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, July 14, 1996, Homes Section, Section F |
Above: Corinne LeMaster, 5, and her grandfather, Ord, play on the teeter totter, one of many playground items the young girl's grandfather built for her. At right, Corrine goes down the playground's fire pole, which was suggested by the girl's father, Jason, who is a fireman.These pictures were part of a larger article from the July 14, 1996 edition of the Anderson Herald-Bulletin Homes section regarding playhouses that grandparents built for their grandchildren. My dad and daughter were part of the feature, although they spelled my daughter's name two different ways and stated that she was my brother's child. Oh well. All of the grandkids have enjoyed it over the years and it is popular with all the cousins at the family reunion.
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Indiana National Guard Record: Ord Wehrly LeMaster
While checking out the Indiana Digital Archives project, I found out that my grandfather had served in the Indiana National Guard. I decided to request copies from the archives to see what records they might have, and was pleased with the results. For only $11, I obtained the follow records:
It appears that grandpa enlisted on March 20, 1923 from Salamonia, Indiana. His physical description shows he weighed 142 lbs., stood 5 feet 5 inches, had a ruddy complexion with blue eyes and black hair. His age is listed as 18 years and six months. In case of emergency, his father L.C. LeMaster of Salamonia, Ind. was to be notified.
It appears that he served with the 151st Inf. Howitzer unit and the 139th F.A. [field artillery] Med. Dept. out of Portland, Indiana. He re-enlisted on October 25, 1926 and again on April 2, 1928. Active duty dates show March 29, 1926, October 24, 1927, April 1, 1929, April 2, 1929 and April 1, 1930. I wonder if these might refer to re-enlistment dates.
Grandpa was appointed as Private First Class on July 1, 1924; was made Corporal on August 1, 1925; reduced back to Private on January 1, 1926; and finally made Private First Class again on July, 1, 1928.
He was honorably discharged March 15, 1930, expiration of enlistment effective April 1, 1930.
These units served on the Mexican border before the first World War, and I need to research more about them to find out if they saw other active duty service along the border after the war.
One mystery is the enlistment date: grandpa would have only been 16 years old, six months, not 18 years; birthdate was September 30, 1906. This could explain why he didn't graduate from high school until 1928 - he must have decided to join the service.
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| LeMaster, Ord W., Indiana National Guard Records |
It appears that he served with the 151st Inf. Howitzer unit and the 139th F.A. [field artillery] Med. Dept. out of Portland, Indiana. He re-enlisted on October 25, 1926 and again on April 2, 1928. Active duty dates show March 29, 1926, October 24, 1927, April 1, 1929, April 2, 1929 and April 1, 1930. I wonder if these might refer to re-enlistment dates.
Grandpa was appointed as Private First Class on July 1, 1924; was made Corporal on August 1, 1925; reduced back to Private on January 1, 1926; and finally made Private First Class again on July, 1, 1928.
He was honorably discharged March 15, 1930, expiration of enlistment effective April 1, 1930.
These units served on the Mexican border before the first World War, and I need to research more about them to find out if they saw other active duty service along the border after the war.
One mystery is the enlistment date: grandpa would have only been 16 years old, six months, not 18 years; birthdate was September 30, 1906. This could explain why he didn't graduate from high school until 1928 - he must have decided to join the service.
Sunday, October 02, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday: Third Bandit Is Caught In The Trap
Source: Marion Leader-Tribune, Marion, Indiana, December 31, 1924, page 1.
Third Bandit Is Caught In The Trap
Two Bandits Plead Guilty, Get Long Prison Terms, And Third Arrested Yesterday
Thread by thread the web which has hidden the Bandits is being unwound, and "Red" Smith is the third member of the trio to be caught in the trap, with outlook that before the old year has checked out for all time others may be caught, and the end come for one of the most vicious criminal conspiracies in the state, with two women as a part of the plot.
The arrest of Marion, alias "Red" Smith, third of the gang of six bandits who robbed the Upland State bank of $2,500, and the sentencing of James Robbins and William Behrens, two other bandits, under arrest for from ten to twenty years in the state reformatory, for auto banditry, on their please of guilty and the statement that at least two women are members of the gang were the outstanding features yesterday in the work of Sheriff Bert Renbarger and officials in surrounding counties to round up the band, and expose one of the boldest and most high handed conspiracies to rob in the entire history of the state.
The third man to be arrested, who admitted to taking part in the robbing of the Upland bank on December 23, was Marion Smith, alias "Red" Smith, 22, who was arrested at Indianapolis yesterday, upon his return from Springfield, Ill., which he gave as his home, by an operative from the Webster Detective Agency of Indianapolis. He was brought to the Grant county jail about 7:30 last night.
Two Men Arraigned.
Robbins and Behrens were arraigned in circuit court shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when they entered pleas of guilty to charges of automobile banditry. After being questioned by Judge J. Frank Charles and Prosecuting Attorney Jay Keever, each defendant was given a sentence of from ten to twenty years in the Indiana state reformatory. Sheriff Bert Renbarger said last night that he would try and have Smith, the third bandit arraigned in court late today if possible.
Efforts toward rounding up the three other members of the gang are being made in a number of counties. It was stated last night that one or two women are believed to be implicated in the bank robberies.
Planned "Sure Go."
From what information which could be obtained from the three men under arrest, the men had planned to get together again one day this week and return to Noblesville, where they were to again attempt to rob the bank at that place and it was their intention to make the job a sure go this time, they said.
Smith had just returned to Indianapolis from Springfield yesterday morning and knew nothing of the arrest of Behrens and Robbins. As he was entering a rooming house at Indianapolis he was placed under arrest by A.M. Larsh, an operative from the Webster agency.
Smith was carrying two suit cases. He was brought to the Grant county jail last night.
Before coming to Marion he was searched at Indianapolis, where $137.25 was found on his person. He was again searched in jail here last night and $109 was found hidden in the back of his coat.
Seventy-five cents in change was found in his pockets and when he asked to have the money returned to him, suspicion was aroused that he had more money hidden about his clothes and every bit of clothing which had on and was in the suit cases was searched, which resulted in the finding of the $109 hidden in his coat. He admitted to having taken a part in the Upland robbery, but denied having anything to do with the South Marion or Noblesville cases.
New Bills Found.
Much of the money found on Smith was new bills issued by the First National bank of this city.
Smith has also served time in the state reformatory on a charge of vehicle taking, being sent up from Paoli, Ind.
Behrens and Robbins were brought into court at 5:15 yesterday afternoon. The indictment charging them with automobile banditry, which was read to them by County Clerk Sam Connelly, was sworn out by Deputy Sheriff Woody Smith and charged the defendant that on December 23 they unlawfully and feloniously aided each other in stealing and taking away in person the chattels and personal property of the Upland State bank in the form of United States money, the sum of $2,000, and then making their escape in an automobile.
Worked on a Farm.
Judge Charles then asked them what plea they desired to make and both replied "guilty."
Robbins was placed on the stand and questioned. He said that he was 22 years of age and that his business was that of a farmer, and that he had spent about four years on his father's farm which was located on a rural route out of Crawfordsville. He admitted to being in trouble before, stating that in 1921 he was sentenced to the state reformatory on a charge of grand larceny and that he was also arrested in 1920 on a charge of grand larceny and before that had been arrested for speeding. He told Judge Charles that he had not taken any part in any bank robbery except that at Upland and the attempt at Noblesville was his first experience in banditry at the latter place. He also said that he had taken part in the robbing of the Lebanon hardware store.
His Father Dead.
Behrens, when questioned, stated that he resided with his mother at Monticello, his father being dead. He said that he had been employed in a textile mill until recently. He said that when he was a small boy he had been given a suspended sentence on a charge of petit larceny and that in May, 1921, he had been given a sentence of from two to fourteen years at the reformatory on a charge of attempted burglary, he having served the minimum term. He told Judge Charles that he was not addicted to the use of liquor and that he had not been drinking on the day the Upland bank was robbed.
He admitted that he had taken part in the Lebanon hardware store robbery and that he was in the gang which attempted to hold up and rob the Noblesville bank, but said that he did not carry firearms on that day and denied having any part in the robbing of the South Marion bank on November 27. He said that the Upland and Noblesville banks were the only ones he had taken part in.
Judge Charles then passed sentence on them and when the sentence was pronounced, neither man gave any evidence of having been affected by the heavy sentence.
It was stated from the jail last night that Behrens had remarked that he might as well be in prison as any place else, while Robbins seems to be effected. According to the jail officials, Robbins is engaged to be married to the girl who appeared at the jail Monday afternoon to visit him.
More Booty Found.
Sheriff Renbarger received word yesterday from the sheriff of White county at Monticello, that an electric drill, which was stolen from the Lebanon store, and about $125 had been found in a suit case in the room occupied by Behrens at that place.
Robbins talked more freely of his trips with the bandits yesterday and said that he had become acquainted with all of the bandits while at the state reformatory and that for some time after his parole he met two of the members who had been in prison and they told him that it would be an easy thing to rob banks, as they had robbed the South Marion bank a short time before and had gotten away with it, the officers having no clue to work on. He said that he had no work and that the stigma of having been in prison weighed upon him and that he finally was persuaded to join the bandits, which he did, taking part in the robbing of the Lebanon store on the night of December 22.
Go Through Upland.
"After resting a few hours after the Lebanon robbery we drove toward Upland, went through the town slowly and on to Marion, arriving about noon," Robbins said.
"After driving around town for a short while, we parked our car on the east side of the public square and went into the Club cafe to eat dinner. After dinner we again got in the car, without walking about town, and drove about again, stopping at a filling station in North Marion, where we talked with Deputy Sheriffs John Schell and Woody Smith.
"We did not know they were deputy sheriffs, but thought they were state highway officers who were looking for the Moon car stolen from Indianapolis, in which we were riding.
When they started following us in their car, we switched around and went west on Highland avenue, coming into town on the Wabash pike.
"The other members of the gang wanted to show me the South Marion State bank which they had previously robbed, and we drove up there, stopping for a minute, while they described the robbery to Behrens and me, Behrens not having been with them either on that raid.
Robbins said that they drove through Upland and south of town and drove back at once, when they stopped at the Upland bank, when two of the men remained in the car and the four others went inside and robbed the bank. After leaving Upland they started back to Lebanon, but the Moon car became mired in the mud, which they were forced to leave, proceeding the rest of the way in a car which they hired from a garage.
Guilty as the Rest.
Robbins said that he had been persuaded to join the men and that he was as guilty as the rest and that he is willing to take his punishment.
Although he said he was not with the gang that robbed the South Marion bank, Robbins told of the robbery. He said that a Nash car was used, in which were two women, one being the wife of the leader, and that after robbing the Marion bank drove directly to Indianapolis where they transferred the stolen money, about $4,000, to a Dodge car.
That Grant county has "an excellent system" of roads was given by Robbins as the reason for pulling off the two bank robberies in Grant county.
---
This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robbery of the Upland State bank by a group of robbers, led by my paternal cousin, Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934). Harry later became famous as a member of the "Terror Gang" with John Dillinger. These earlier bank robberies terrorized Indiana during 1924-1925.
Black Sheep Sunday – create a post with the main focus being an ancestor with a “shaded past.” Bring out your ne’er-do-wells, your cads, your black widows, your horse thieves and tell their stories. And don’t forget to check out the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists (IBSSG). This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.
Third Bandit Is Caught In The Trap
Two Bandits Plead Guilty, Get Long Prison Terms, And Third Arrested Yesterday
Thread by thread the web which has hidden the Bandits is being unwound, and "Red" Smith is the third member of the trio to be caught in the trap, with outlook that before the old year has checked out for all time others may be caught, and the end come for one of the most vicious criminal conspiracies in the state, with two women as a part of the plot.
The arrest of Marion, alias "Red" Smith, third of the gang of six bandits who robbed the Upland State bank of $2,500, and the sentencing of James Robbins and William Behrens, two other bandits, under arrest for from ten to twenty years in the state reformatory, for auto banditry, on their please of guilty and the statement that at least two women are members of the gang were the outstanding features yesterday in the work of Sheriff Bert Renbarger and officials in surrounding counties to round up the band, and expose one of the boldest and most high handed conspiracies to rob in the entire history of the state.
The third man to be arrested, who admitted to taking part in the robbing of the Upland bank on December 23, was Marion Smith, alias "Red" Smith, 22, who was arrested at Indianapolis yesterday, upon his return from Springfield, Ill., which he gave as his home, by an operative from the Webster Detective Agency of Indianapolis. He was brought to the Grant county jail about 7:30 last night.
Two Men Arraigned.
Robbins and Behrens were arraigned in circuit court shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when they entered pleas of guilty to charges of automobile banditry. After being questioned by Judge J. Frank Charles and Prosecuting Attorney Jay Keever, each defendant was given a sentence of from ten to twenty years in the Indiana state reformatory. Sheriff Bert Renbarger said last night that he would try and have Smith, the third bandit arraigned in court late today if possible.
Efforts toward rounding up the three other members of the gang are being made in a number of counties. It was stated last night that one or two women are believed to be implicated in the bank robberies.
Planned "Sure Go."
From what information which could be obtained from the three men under arrest, the men had planned to get together again one day this week and return to Noblesville, where they were to again attempt to rob the bank at that place and it was their intention to make the job a sure go this time, they said.
Smith had just returned to Indianapolis from Springfield yesterday morning and knew nothing of the arrest of Behrens and Robbins. As he was entering a rooming house at Indianapolis he was placed under arrest by A.M. Larsh, an operative from the Webster agency.
Smith was carrying two suit cases. He was brought to the Grant county jail last night.
Before coming to Marion he was searched at Indianapolis, where $137.25 was found on his person. He was again searched in jail here last night and $109 was found hidden in the back of his coat.
Seventy-five cents in change was found in his pockets and when he asked to have the money returned to him, suspicion was aroused that he had more money hidden about his clothes and every bit of clothing which had on and was in the suit cases was searched, which resulted in the finding of the $109 hidden in his coat. He admitted to having taken a part in the Upland robbery, but denied having anything to do with the South Marion or Noblesville cases.
New Bills Found.
Much of the money found on Smith was new bills issued by the First National bank of this city.
Smith has also served time in the state reformatory on a charge of vehicle taking, being sent up from Paoli, Ind.
Behrens and Robbins were brought into court at 5:15 yesterday afternoon. The indictment charging them with automobile banditry, which was read to them by County Clerk Sam Connelly, was sworn out by Deputy Sheriff Woody Smith and charged the defendant that on December 23 they unlawfully and feloniously aided each other in stealing and taking away in person the chattels and personal property of the Upland State bank in the form of United States money, the sum of $2,000, and then making their escape in an automobile.
Worked on a Farm.
Judge Charles then asked them what plea they desired to make and both replied "guilty."
Robbins was placed on the stand and questioned. He said that he was 22 years of age and that his business was that of a farmer, and that he had spent about four years on his father's farm which was located on a rural route out of Crawfordsville. He admitted to being in trouble before, stating that in 1921 he was sentenced to the state reformatory on a charge of grand larceny and that he was also arrested in 1920 on a charge of grand larceny and before that had been arrested for speeding. He told Judge Charles that he had not taken any part in any bank robbery except that at Upland and the attempt at Noblesville was his first experience in banditry at the latter place. He also said that he had taken part in the robbing of the Lebanon hardware store.
His Father Dead.
Behrens, when questioned, stated that he resided with his mother at Monticello, his father being dead. He said that he had been employed in a textile mill until recently. He said that when he was a small boy he had been given a suspended sentence on a charge of petit larceny and that in May, 1921, he had been given a sentence of from two to fourteen years at the reformatory on a charge of attempted burglary, he having served the minimum term. He told Judge Charles that he was not addicted to the use of liquor and that he had not been drinking on the day the Upland bank was robbed.
He admitted that he had taken part in the Lebanon hardware store robbery and that he was in the gang which attempted to hold up and rob the Noblesville bank, but said that he did not carry firearms on that day and denied having any part in the robbing of the South Marion bank on November 27. He said that the Upland and Noblesville banks were the only ones he had taken part in.
Judge Charles then passed sentence on them and when the sentence was pronounced, neither man gave any evidence of having been affected by the heavy sentence.
It was stated from the jail last night that Behrens had remarked that he might as well be in prison as any place else, while Robbins seems to be effected. According to the jail officials, Robbins is engaged to be married to the girl who appeared at the jail Monday afternoon to visit him.
More Booty Found.
Sheriff Renbarger received word yesterday from the sheriff of White county at Monticello, that an electric drill, which was stolen from the Lebanon store, and about $125 had been found in a suit case in the room occupied by Behrens at that place.
Robbins talked more freely of his trips with the bandits yesterday and said that he had become acquainted with all of the bandits while at the state reformatory and that for some time after his parole he met two of the members who had been in prison and they told him that it would be an easy thing to rob banks, as they had robbed the South Marion bank a short time before and had gotten away with it, the officers having no clue to work on. He said that he had no work and that the stigma of having been in prison weighed upon him and that he finally was persuaded to join the bandits, which he did, taking part in the robbing of the Lebanon store on the night of December 22.
Go Through Upland.
"After resting a few hours after the Lebanon robbery we drove toward Upland, went through the town slowly and on to Marion, arriving about noon," Robbins said.
"After driving around town for a short while, we parked our car on the east side of the public square and went into the Club cafe to eat dinner. After dinner we again got in the car, without walking about town, and drove about again, stopping at a filling station in North Marion, where we talked with Deputy Sheriffs John Schell and Woody Smith.
"We did not know they were deputy sheriffs, but thought they were state highway officers who were looking for the Moon car stolen from Indianapolis, in which we were riding.
When they started following us in their car, we switched around and went west on Highland avenue, coming into town on the Wabash pike.
"The other members of the gang wanted to show me the South Marion State bank which they had previously robbed, and we drove up there, stopping for a minute, while they described the robbery to Behrens and me, Behrens not having been with them either on that raid.
Robbins said that they drove through Upland and south of town and drove back at once, when they stopped at the Upland bank, when two of the men remained in the car and the four others went inside and robbed the bank. After leaving Upland they started back to Lebanon, but the Moon car became mired in the mud, which they were forced to leave, proceeding the rest of the way in a car which they hired from a garage.
Guilty as the Rest.
Robbins said that he had been persuaded to join the men and that he was as guilty as the rest and that he is willing to take his punishment.
Although he said he was not with the gang that robbed the South Marion bank, Robbins told of the robbery. He said that a Nash car was used, in which were two women, one being the wife of the leader, and that after robbing the Marion bank drove directly to Indianapolis where they transferred the stolen money, about $4,000, to a Dodge car.
That Grant county has "an excellent system" of roads was given by Robbins as the reason for pulling off the two bank robberies in Grant county.
---
This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robbery of the Upland State bank by a group of robbers, led by my paternal cousin, Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934). Harry later became famous as a member of the "Terror Gang" with John Dillinger. These earlier bank robberies terrorized Indiana during 1924-1925.
Black Sheep Sunday – create a post with the main focus being an ancestor with a “shaded past.” Bring out your ne’er-do-wells, your cads, your black widows, your horse thieves and tell their stories. And don’t forget to check out the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists (IBSSG). This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Civil War Soldier Thomas PEFLEY
As I mentioned in an earlier post, a find in a library 200 miles away made mention of Civil War soldier Thomas PEFLEY of Wabash County, Indiana. Thomas is my wife's second great-grandfather.
The book, Ledger of Civil War Appointments and Discharges from the Recorder's Office of Wabash County was compiled by local historian, Ron Woodward.
PEFLEY, THOMAS page 33 pvt Co G 21 Heavy Art mustered out 10-2-1861 Ft McHenry Md disability; born Washington Oh age 21 height 5' 9 1/4" light complexion grey eyes brown hair was a farmer. GAR
My records show Thomas as being born in Preble County, Ohio. There is a Washington Court House, Ohio, but that is in Fayette County. Nice to have a physical description, and to learn that he was mustered out due to disability.
The regiment was originally the 21st Regiment of Indiana Infantry, later classified as the 1st Regiment of Heavy Artillery. It was organized at Indianapolis on July 24, 1861. It left Indiana a week later for Baltimore, where it stayed until 1863.
Thomas is listed on the roster of soldiers in Company G, as "Thomas Pifley". His residence is shown as Knox County. He mustered in on July 24, 1861 and was discharged October 2, 1861 due to disability.
I do not have copies of his Civil War records. His pension records are not with the NARA, he died in 1935 and I was told they were with the VA. Will have to follow up on that.
The book, Ledger of Civil War Appointments and Discharges from the Recorder's Office of Wabash County was compiled by local historian, Ron Woodward.
PEFLEY, THOMAS page 33 pvt Co G 21 Heavy Art mustered out 10-2-1861 Ft McHenry Md disability; born Washington Oh age 21 height 5' 9 1/4" light complexion grey eyes brown hair was a farmer. GAR
My records show Thomas as being born in Preble County, Ohio. There is a Washington Court House, Ohio, but that is in Fayette County. Nice to have a physical description, and to learn that he was mustered out due to disability.
The regiment was originally the 21st Regiment of Indiana Infantry, later classified as the 1st Regiment of Heavy Artillery. It was organized at Indianapolis on July 24, 1861. It left Indiana a week later for Baltimore, where it stayed until 1863.
Thomas is listed on the roster of soldiers in Company G, as "Thomas Pifley". His residence is shown as Knox County. He mustered in on July 24, 1861 and was discharged October 2, 1861 due to disability.
I do not have copies of his Civil War records. His pension records are not with the NARA, he died in 1935 and I was told they were with the VA. Will have to follow up on that.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Moultons of Licking County, Ohio
Located FindAGrave pages for my paternal 4th-great grandparents, Selah and Lydia (FINEL) MOULTON and noticed photos of their tombstones. They are buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Alexandria, Licking County, Ohio.
Until I received the email from Martha Sturgill of the Alexandria Public Library, I did not have their place of burial. Martha was kind enough to search several records in Licking County, Ohio for me.
Martha's email gave me some more insight into where Selah lived and records to research such as :
Selah and Lydia's son, Albert, is my ancestor. Albert disappeared during the Gold Rush era, and I'm also trying to track him down as well.
Until I received the email from Martha Sturgill of the Alexandria Public Library, I did not have their place of burial. Martha was kind enough to search several records in Licking County, Ohio for me.
In the Maple Grove Cemetery records I did find the Moultons listed. They are buried side by side in plot 17, #3&4. Selah is listed as being born in 1790 and dying November 24, 1848 and Lydia as being born 1796 and dying December 3, 1869. They were the only Moulton's listed in cemetery records. Maple Grove is located just behind the school in Alexandria and is our biggest cemetery. There are many other small and family cemeteries on farms and in rural areas where some other Moulton's may be laid to rest. It is very hard to say.Many of the early settlers of St. Albans Township in Licking County were from Vermont, as were the Moultons. Prior to Ohio, the family was from Rutland County, Vermont.
Martha's email gave me some more insight into where Selah lived and records to research such as :
In 1830 the Bible Society reported 128 families in the Township with 750 total population. In 1836 the Deacon made a list of the families by school district. In that list Selah Moulton is reported to be living in the Worthington Road district. This is still a rural farming area and no mention of Mr. Moulton was made in the chapter about mill owners and other business owners. From this I am assuming that he was a farmer. The copy of the 1848 platt map in the book is very blurred, but I did find the name of S. Moulton on it. It is just slightly SW of the center of the township. Do you know if the children stayed in the area? I couldn't find the name on the 1854 map.
Selah and Lydia's son, Albert, is my ancestor. Albert disappeared during the Gold Rush era, and I'm also trying to track him down as well.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday: Bank Bandits Confess to Sheriff
Source: Marion Leader-Tribune, Marion, Indiana, December 30, 1924, page 1.
BANK BANDITS CONFESS TO SHERIFF
Daring Thefts Here Have Been Cleared
Written Confession Is Secured from James Robbins and After William Behrens Is Identified by Upland Bank Cashier He Changes His Denial and Admits He Help Put Over the Job There -- Local Sheriff Works Hard On Case -- Roll of Bills Led to Arrest of the Men
One of the gang flashed a roll of bills, and this caused suspicion, and led to his undoing, and two of the six bandits who held up the officers of the Upland state bank and took $2,500 on the afternoon of December 24, are now in the Grant county jail with confessions in the hands of Sheriff Bert Renbarger from both men that they not only took part in this robbery, but from one of the two that they robbed a hardware store at Lebanon, attempted to robe the bank at Noblesville, but were frightened when the bank president pushed his foot and sounded the burglar alarm, that five members of the gang, on claiming innocence, had robbed the South Marion State Bank of approximately $4,000 on the afternoon of November 27.
The arrests, beginning at Lebanon early Sunday morning, are considered among the most important ever made in the state, for it is believed they will put an end to a reign of banditry which has run wild in the state for some months.
The arrest of two of this band, with other arrests expected, and the arrest of the band at Peoria, Ill., said to have robbed the Converse bank, clears up the three bank robberies in this particular section of the state.
Sheriff Works Hard.
Sheriff Bert Renbarger and his deputies have been working hard on the case, and are being widely commended for their success.
The men under arrest are William Behrens, 20 years old, of Monticello, Ind., who was arrested yesterday by Sheriff Bert Renbarger, Deputy Sheriff Woody Smith and the chief of police of Monticello, and James Robbins, 22, of Lebanon, who was arrested late Saturday night by the police at Lebanon.
Robbins has confessed also to taking part in the attempted holdup of the Noblesville bank on December 17, and said that the other five members of his gang had robbed the South Marion State bank of approximately $4,000 on the afternoon of November 27, but said that he was not in this robbery. Behrens, when brought to Marion yesterday afternoon at first stoutly denied knowing anything about the Upland, Marion or Noblesville affairs, but when Earl Bragg, cashier of the Upland State Bank, and S.G. Stump of Upland, who was pulled inside of the bank by one of the bandits, came to the jail last night and identified both men as being among the five bandits, Behrens then changed his story and admitted to having taken part in the Upland job, but maintained that he was not with the bandits when the South Marion bank was robbed.
Identification Sure.
Both Bragg and Stump were positive in their identifications. Stump was the man who stepped into the bank when the robbery was taking place, and started to go out when one of the bandits grabbed him and pulled him back into the bank and demanded that he hold up his hands.
The news of Robbins' arrested was given out at Indianapolis yesterday morning.
A confession was secured from Robbins by Sheriff Renbarger, who has spent the last two days at Lebanon and Monticello in an effort to round up the entire gang.
The confession of Robbins, in part is as follows:
"On the night of December 22, 1924, we drove to Lebanon at about two o'clock in the morning and we broke into the hardware store of John B. Shelby and stole three shot guns, five rifles, 25 to 30 boxes of shells, electric drills, two radio sets and some other goods.
"Then we planned to go to Upland and rob the Upland State bank. We had a Moon sedan, which was stolen in Indianapolis the day before. At Upland, one remained outside of the bank in the car, while the rest went into the bank and held up the employees with revolvers and stole whatever money could be found. I received between $300 and $400 as my share. We, except myself, took part in and robbed the South Marion State bank on November 27 and also in the attempted robbery of the bank at Noblesville on December 17.
"After the Upland robbery the gang separated. The reason for the robbery of the bank at Noblesville not being successful was because the burglar alarm went off. The airplanes flying overhead at the time had nothing to do with us at the time of the attempted robbery" (Signed) James Robbins.
Have Served Time.
Both Robbins and Behrens have served time in prison. Behrens was sent up some time ago from Monticello on a charge of burglary and was later paroled, after serving about twenty-six months. Robbins has also served time in the state reformatory on a charge of grand larceny, having been sentenced from Lebanon. It is said that the other members of the gang have also served prison sentences.
Both men were interview at the county jail last night by a Leader-Tribune reporter.
Behrens had a number of watches on his person, and last night he said he had bought them, and had not robbed any store.
Behrens Was Seen.
Behrens was identified by Deputy Sheriff John Schell as one of the men who was in the Moon car when it stopped at a filling station on North Washington street and Highland avenue two hours before the Upland bank robbery. Behrens told Schell that his face "looked familiar," but could not tell just where he saw him.
Robbins admitted last night that he took part in the Upland bank robbery, and was also with the band at Noblesville, but denied being with the crowd when the South Marion bank was robbed. He said that all of the other members of the gang robbed this bank except himself.
Robbins' mother, father and sweetheart arrived in the city yesterday to visit him, but the parents did not go to the jail. Last night Robbins was told that his mother was very ill at Lebanon. HIS SWEETHEART APPEARED TO FIND OUT IF HE HAD GOT HER WRIST WATCH WHICH SHE SAID HE HAD PROMISED TO GET FOR HER.
Behrens, after he confessed to Sheriff Renbarger, in the presence of Cashier Bragg and Mr. Stump of Upland, also told the sheriff where he had hidden a part of the money which was stolen from the Upland bank, and the sheriff at Monticello was notified.
Flashes Big Roll.
The flashing of a roll of money led to the arrest of Robbins at Lebanon. Robbins, who has been in trouble before, was seen to show a roll of money of considerable size, and he was arrested as a suspect late Saturday night. When searched the police found $263.90 on his person. Robbins told them that he had spent $60.35 out of the money for clothing. When Robbins was arrested Sheriff Renbarger was notified, and early Sunday morning Renbarger and Deputy Sheriff Schell drove to Lebanon, where information was secured concerning Behrens, after Robbins had told the officers of the movements of the gang. With the prospects for arresting all members of the gang, it was agreed that nothing should be given out by any officer in any county until all of the bandits had been arrested and placed in jail.
Go to Monticello.
Yesterday morning Sheriff Renbarger and Deputy Woody Smith drove to Monticello, where Behrens was arrested. When searched he had a number of Ingersoll watches in his possession, which the officers said were being given away by him. He was brought back to Marion and lodge in jail late yesterday afternoon.
Every effort will be made by the authorities of several counties to round up and arrest the four remaining members of the gang.
The robbery of the South Marion bank took place about fifteen minutes before closing time on the afternoon of November 27. Five of the bandits entered the bank and commanded the two bank officials and two customers to hold up their hands. They then attempted to lock the bank officials in the vault, but failed to succeed. The bandits took all of the money in sight on the counter, and secured more from the vault, and ran out and disappeared in what was described as being a Nash car, leaving in a southerly direction.
Machine Was Stolen.
The same gang, apparently, stole the Moon sedan from George W. Killinger, 1922 North Pennsylvania street, Indianapolis, in front of his residence on Monday night, December 23, drove to Lebanon, where the hardware store was robbed, and then came to Marion, arriving here shortly before the noon hour. In their confessions they did not mention being around the city for some time and of getting a supply of gasoline at a filling station in North Marion.
When the Moon car was going north on Washington street, it was seen by Deputy Sheriffs Schell and Smith, as well as by Detectives Humble and Andrews of the police department. Believing the Moon car to be a car they had been looking for, which was thought to contain liquor, the deputy sheriffs followed the car to the filling station. Schell held a short conversation with one of the men, not either of the two under arrest. The men asked the direction to reach State Road No. 35, stating they wished to go to Hartford City. About an hour and a half later, news of the Upland bank robbery was received.
----
This article is a follow-up to the robbery of the Upland State bank by a group of robbers led by my paternal cousin, Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934). Harry later came to fame as a member of the "Terror Gang" with John Dillinger. These stories about his early career as a bank robber in Indiana have proven most interesting.
Black Sheep Sunday – create a post with the main focus being an ancestor with a “shaded past.” Bring out your ne’er-do-wells, your cads, your black widows, your horse thieves and tell their stories. And don’t forget to check out the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists (IBSSG). This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.
BANK BANDITS CONFESS TO SHERIFF
Daring Thefts Here Have Been Cleared
Written Confession Is Secured from James Robbins and After William Behrens Is Identified by Upland Bank Cashier He Changes His Denial and Admits He Help Put Over the Job There -- Local Sheriff Works Hard On Case -- Roll of Bills Led to Arrest of the Men
One of the gang flashed a roll of bills, and this caused suspicion, and led to his undoing, and two of the six bandits who held up the officers of the Upland state bank and took $2,500 on the afternoon of December 24, are now in the Grant county jail with confessions in the hands of Sheriff Bert Renbarger from both men that they not only took part in this robbery, but from one of the two that they robbed a hardware store at Lebanon, attempted to robe the bank at Noblesville, but were frightened when the bank president pushed his foot and sounded the burglar alarm, that five members of the gang, on claiming innocence, had robbed the South Marion State Bank of approximately $4,000 on the afternoon of November 27.
The arrests, beginning at Lebanon early Sunday morning, are considered among the most important ever made in the state, for it is believed they will put an end to a reign of banditry which has run wild in the state for some months.
The arrest of two of this band, with other arrests expected, and the arrest of the band at Peoria, Ill., said to have robbed the Converse bank, clears up the three bank robberies in this particular section of the state.
Sheriff Works Hard.
Sheriff Bert Renbarger and his deputies have been working hard on the case, and are being widely commended for their success.
The men under arrest are William Behrens, 20 years old, of Monticello, Ind., who was arrested yesterday by Sheriff Bert Renbarger, Deputy Sheriff Woody Smith and the chief of police of Monticello, and James Robbins, 22, of Lebanon, who was arrested late Saturday night by the police at Lebanon.
Robbins has confessed also to taking part in the attempted holdup of the Noblesville bank on December 17, and said that the other five members of his gang had robbed the South Marion State bank of approximately $4,000 on the afternoon of November 27, but said that he was not in this robbery. Behrens, when brought to Marion yesterday afternoon at first stoutly denied knowing anything about the Upland, Marion or Noblesville affairs, but when Earl Bragg, cashier of the Upland State Bank, and S.G. Stump of Upland, who was pulled inside of the bank by one of the bandits, came to the jail last night and identified both men as being among the five bandits, Behrens then changed his story and admitted to having taken part in the Upland job, but maintained that he was not with the bandits when the South Marion bank was robbed.
Identification Sure.
Both Bragg and Stump were positive in their identifications. Stump was the man who stepped into the bank when the robbery was taking place, and started to go out when one of the bandits grabbed him and pulled him back into the bank and demanded that he hold up his hands.
The news of Robbins' arrested was given out at Indianapolis yesterday morning.
A confession was secured from Robbins by Sheriff Renbarger, who has spent the last two days at Lebanon and Monticello in an effort to round up the entire gang.
The confession of Robbins, in part is as follows:
"On the night of December 22, 1924, we drove to Lebanon at about two o'clock in the morning and we broke into the hardware store of John B. Shelby and stole three shot guns, five rifles, 25 to 30 boxes of shells, electric drills, two radio sets and some other goods.
"Then we planned to go to Upland and rob the Upland State bank. We had a Moon sedan, which was stolen in Indianapolis the day before. At Upland, one remained outside of the bank in the car, while the rest went into the bank and held up the employees with revolvers and stole whatever money could be found. I received between $300 and $400 as my share. We, except myself, took part in and robbed the South Marion State bank on November 27 and also in the attempted robbery of the bank at Noblesville on December 17.
"After the Upland robbery the gang separated. The reason for the robbery of the bank at Noblesville not being successful was because the burglar alarm went off. The airplanes flying overhead at the time had nothing to do with us at the time of the attempted robbery" (Signed) James Robbins.
Have Served Time.
Both Robbins and Behrens have served time in prison. Behrens was sent up some time ago from Monticello on a charge of burglary and was later paroled, after serving about twenty-six months. Robbins has also served time in the state reformatory on a charge of grand larceny, having been sentenced from Lebanon. It is said that the other members of the gang have also served prison sentences.
Both men were interview at the county jail last night by a Leader-Tribune reporter.
Behrens had a number of watches on his person, and last night he said he had bought them, and had not robbed any store.
Behrens Was Seen.
Behrens was identified by Deputy Sheriff John Schell as one of the men who was in the Moon car when it stopped at a filling station on North Washington street and Highland avenue two hours before the Upland bank robbery. Behrens told Schell that his face "looked familiar," but could not tell just where he saw him.
Robbins admitted last night that he took part in the Upland bank robbery, and was also with the band at Noblesville, but denied being with the crowd when the South Marion bank was robbed. He said that all of the other members of the gang robbed this bank except himself.
Robbins' mother, father and sweetheart arrived in the city yesterday to visit him, but the parents did not go to the jail. Last night Robbins was told that his mother was very ill at Lebanon. HIS SWEETHEART APPEARED TO FIND OUT IF HE HAD GOT HER WRIST WATCH WHICH SHE SAID HE HAD PROMISED TO GET FOR HER.
Behrens, after he confessed to Sheriff Renbarger, in the presence of Cashier Bragg and Mr. Stump of Upland, also told the sheriff where he had hidden a part of the money which was stolen from the Upland bank, and the sheriff at Monticello was notified.
Flashes Big Roll.
The flashing of a roll of money led to the arrest of Robbins at Lebanon. Robbins, who has been in trouble before, was seen to show a roll of money of considerable size, and he was arrested as a suspect late Saturday night. When searched the police found $263.90 on his person. Robbins told them that he had spent $60.35 out of the money for clothing. When Robbins was arrested Sheriff Renbarger was notified, and early Sunday morning Renbarger and Deputy Sheriff Schell drove to Lebanon, where information was secured concerning Behrens, after Robbins had told the officers of the movements of the gang. With the prospects for arresting all members of the gang, it was agreed that nothing should be given out by any officer in any county until all of the bandits had been arrested and placed in jail.
Go to Monticello.
Yesterday morning Sheriff Renbarger and Deputy Woody Smith drove to Monticello, where Behrens was arrested. When searched he had a number of Ingersoll watches in his possession, which the officers said were being given away by him. He was brought back to Marion and lodge in jail late yesterday afternoon.
Every effort will be made by the authorities of several counties to round up and arrest the four remaining members of the gang.
The robbery of the South Marion bank took place about fifteen minutes before closing time on the afternoon of November 27. Five of the bandits entered the bank and commanded the two bank officials and two customers to hold up their hands. They then attempted to lock the bank officials in the vault, but failed to succeed. The bandits took all of the money in sight on the counter, and secured more from the vault, and ran out and disappeared in what was described as being a Nash car, leaving in a southerly direction.
Machine Was Stolen.
The same gang, apparently, stole the Moon sedan from George W. Killinger, 1922 North Pennsylvania street, Indianapolis, in front of his residence on Monday night, December 23, drove to Lebanon, where the hardware store was robbed, and then came to Marion, arriving here shortly before the noon hour. In their confessions they did not mention being around the city for some time and of getting a supply of gasoline at a filling station in North Marion.
When the Moon car was going north on Washington street, it was seen by Deputy Sheriffs Schell and Smith, as well as by Detectives Humble and Andrews of the police department. Believing the Moon car to be a car they had been looking for, which was thought to contain liquor, the deputy sheriffs followed the car to the filling station. Schell held a short conversation with one of the men, not either of the two under arrest. The men asked the direction to reach State Road No. 35, stating they wished to go to Hartford City. About an hour and a half later, news of the Upland bank robbery was received.
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This article is a follow-up to the robbery of the Upland State bank by a group of robbers led by my paternal cousin, Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934). Harry later came to fame as a member of the "Terror Gang" with John Dillinger. These stories about his early career as a bank robber in Indiana have proven most interesting.
Black Sheep Sunday – create a post with the main focus being an ancestor with a “shaded past.” Bring out your ne’er-do-wells, your cads, your black widows, your horse thieves and tell their stories. And don’t forget to check out the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists (IBSSG). This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.
June (Davis) Lambertson (1898-1951): Sunday's Obituary
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| June Lambertson obit, Elwood Call-Leader, March 21, 1951, p. 8 |
Source: Elwood Call-Leader, Elwood, Indiana, March 21, 1951, p. 8
JUNE LAMBERTSON SUCCUMBS TUESDAY; FUNERAL FRIDAY
Mrs. June Lambertson, 52, 717 South A street, died at 5:45 o'clock Tuesday evening at her home after an illness of three years.
Born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis she was the daughter of Adkinson and Ida Davis. She was married to Clemon Lambertson, July 28, 1917. He survives. Mrs. Lambertson was a member of First Baptist church.
Survivors include the husband, two daughters, Mrs. Ruby Walsh, Elwood, and Mrs. Bonnie Wright of Alexandria; two sons, Harold Lambertson of Elwood and Floyd Lambertson of Alexandria; a sister; Mrs. Pansy Decker of Crawfordsville and nine grandchildren.
The body is at the Robert L. Jackley funeral home where friends may call.
Funeral rites will be held at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon at First Baptist church. The Rev. R.W. Sage, pastor will officiate. Burial will be made in Elwood City cemetery.
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June (DAVIS) LAMBERTSON was my maternal great-grandmother. Her obituary is another one that I recently rediscovered while researching at the Elwood Public Library.
The obituary states her parentage exactly as is listed on her birth certificate, though I consider it be under dispute. I continue to research in hopes of finding some court record that could clear it up.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Now You Know: The Silver Dollar Came Back
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| The Bryan (OH) Times, January 15, 1963, p. 3 |
In 1902, L.L. Rockwell of Fort Recovery, Ohio, put his initials on a silver dollar and spent it. It came back to him in January 1937 after being in circulation 35 years.L.L. operated a garage in Fort Recovery, Ohio for many years, and I assume that is where his silver dollar came back to him.
I was doing a search on Google to see if I could find mention of the Rockwell garage when I located this article. Why it was being reprinted as a UPI release in 1963 is a mystery.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Clara (Cook) Lambertson (1848-1943) : Sunday's Obituary
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| Clara Lambertson obit, Elwood Call-Leader, January 23, 1943 |
Source: Elwood Call-Leader, Elwood, Indiana, January 23, 1943, p. 1
FORMER RESIDENT DIES AT ATLANTA
Mrs. Lambertson Stricken At Home Of Daughter
Mrs. Clara Lambertson, 94, formerly of Elwood, died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Omer Whisler, west of Atlanta, Saturday morning. She was the wedow [sic] of Cary Lambertson.
She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Maude Hayes of Mount Vernon, Ill., Mrs. Lola Whisler of Atlanta, at whose home she died, and two sons, Charles Lambertson of Summitville, and Bert Lambertson of Indianapolis. There are 13 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
She and her family came to Elwood when it was known as Quincy. It was reported that she remembered when Lincoln was president, and that she came from Virginia to Ohio in a covered wagon with hehr [sic] parents.
The body was removed to the Schaffer funeral home in Arcadia and the funeral was held Monday morning at the Dunkard church with burial following in City cemetery here.
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Clara (COOK) LAMBERTSON was my maternal 3rd-great grandmother. Her obituary is one that I recently rediscovered when searching at the Elwood library.
Some interesting comments were made in the obituary, particularly that her family came from Virginia to Ohio in a covered wagon and that she remembered Lincoln as president.
Clara would have been around 13 years old when the Civil War began, so yes, she could have remembered Lincoln. Whether she was born in Ohio or Virginia is disputed, as the census records state she was born in Ohio. I have not yet located her marriage record, though it was supposedly October 1, 1869 in Butler County, Ohio. No record has been located in Butler or surrounding counties.
The family was definitely in Butler County, Ohio in the 1870 census, which remains the earliest documented record I have for Clara. The town of Elwood, Indiana was originally known as Quincy, and became known as Elwood in 1869.
Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.
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