Black Sheep Sunday: Men Held In Detroit For Kokomo Theft

Source: Pharos Tribune, Logansport, Indiana, April 2, 1925, page 10.


MEN HELD IN DETROIT FOR KOKOMO THEFT


Two Alleged Bandits and Sweetheart of Another Seized at Apartment


PART OF LOOT RECOVERED


Revolvers and Guns Found in Search of Apartment - $ 850 Found


Detroit, Mich., April 2 - Two alleged bank bandits and the sweetheart of one were held by police today after being trapped in an appartment.


The two men are alleged to have held up the Kokomo, Ind., State bank last week and escaped with $9,400.  Part of the loot was found in the apartment.


Those held are Frank Mason, alias Harry; Thaddeus R. Skeer, and Louise Brummer.  Louise is said to be the sweetheart of Skeer.  She came here from Fort Wayne, Ind., Saturday.


Revolvers and guns were found under pillows, in the closets and drawers of the bureaus.   Mason was found to have $850 in new $100 and $50 bills and the Brummer girls had a number of valuable diamond rings and other jewelry.


---
Another article about the 1925 Kokomo bank robbery that sent distant cousin, Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934) to Michigan City State Prison.  Harry was using the name "Frank Mason" as an alias.

Photo: Wilbur Roscoe Decker

Wilbur Roscoe Decker

This photo is of Wilbur Roscoe DECKER, son of Peter W. and Pansy (GILLILAND) DECKER.  It was part of the collection of photos I was able to scan at Mike Walsh's.  Wilbur was a 1st cousin of my maternal grandmother, Bonnie LAMBERTSON.  The photographer's stamp is from Bloomington, Indiana.

The back side of the photograph is a postcard, not mailed but appears to be address to my maternal great uncle, Harold LAMBERTSON.

Left side: Wilbur Roscoe Decker.  Taken Jan. 12 20. Aged 2 years.  

Right side: Master Harold Wayne Lambertson

This photograph would have been taken on his second birthday.  Wilbur Roscoe DECKER was born January 12, 1918 in Springfield, Illinois. He married August 6, 1938 to Mary WEIR, and had at least one daughter, Sharon Sue.  Wilbur died  July 9, 1980.

Fearless Females: Moment of Strength

March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.


I'm not sure which story to write about regarding courage or strength in a difficult situation, as there are many that come to mind.  My mother dealing with cancer.  My grandmother Bonnie losing her husband when he was 53.  My great-aunt Vera losing two babies.  My great-grandmother June being an orphan at 2. Everyone who survived the economic hardships of the Great Depression.  The list could go on and on.  For many, the concept of hardship was simply unknown, addressed as just "part of life".  Today we take so much for granted and we look back and wonder how they made it.  They made it because the alternative - to give up, was simply not an acceptable alternative.


As I look at my family history, I note that so many of the stories of the women in my family have been untold, and thus lost to history.  What bits and pieces I can cobble together are told from the perspective of the men in their lives through the lens of the social and economic history of the period.  I'm glad that I've been able to interview my mother and father recently about those relatives they knew, before another generation's tales are lost.


Once again, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.