Researcher Dave Hudson sent me this photograph of a 1924 blue Moon automobile. This was the same type of car used in the robbery of the South Kokomo Bank by Harry Pierpont and his gang.
Showing posts with label Pierpont. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pierpont. Show all posts
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Black Sheep Sunday: 1924 Moon
Researcher Dave Hudson sent me this photograph of a 1924 blue Moon automobile. This was the same type of car used in the robbery of the South Kokomo Bank by Harry Pierpont and his gang.
Black Sheep Sunday : New Harmony Bank Bandits Elude Capture
Source: Evansville Courier, March 11, 1925
NEW HARMONY BANK BANDITS ELUDE CAPTURE
Trail of Grey Sedan Lost Near Poseyville; Left State, Belief
New Harmony, March 11 - "Shoot to kill." This order was flashed over the entire tri-state district yesterday following the failure of authorities in more than 24 hours to apprehend the four bank bandits who shortly before 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon held up and robbed the New Harmony Bank and Trust company of $9300 in cash and bonds.
The trail taken by the bandits, who fled from the small village in a large grey sedan, was picked up near Wadesville where the fleeing automobile was seen Tuesday afternoon. From there it led north through Poseyville where it was lost. Yesterday morning a report from King's Station in Gibson county said the bandit car had been seen there.
Left State Belief
Police authorities throughout the Pocket district, notified of the robbery within a few minutes after it had occurred, scoured nearby cities and towns and stationed guards on the highways throughout the Pocket. Late last night, however, the bandits had not been apprehended and it was believed they had made good their escape into some adjoining state.
The latest clue possessed by authorities in regard to the movement of the large grey sedan and which has strengthened the belief that the bandits have left the state was received yesterday from Charles Chamberlain, a farmer living near Griffin. Chamberlain reported that he had been stopped by four men riding in such an automobile six miles south of Griffin on the Wabash river. They asked him where they could get a boat across the river and handing him $80 in cash, telling him to keep still.
Heavily armed
The fact that the bandits were bold enough to stage a robbery in a town like New Harmony from which escape could easily be cut off, has led to the belief that they were desperate men and were prepared to shoot their way to freedom if cornered. This fact, and the fact that they were all heavily armed, caused the warning to police officers in Pocket to take no chances in affecting a capture.
After a thorough check of the bank's funds yesterday, it was learned that the take was $ 9300 . Of this amount, $ 4,800 was in cash, $300 in gold, and $4,000 in bonds. All is amply covered by insurance.
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This article is another in a series of stories of Indiana bank robberies by a group of robbers, led by my paternal cousin, Harry Pierpont (1902-1934). Harry later became famous as part of the "Terror Gang" with John Dillinger.
Monday, January 02, 2012
Obituary: Samantha (Metzner) Orcutt
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| Evangelical Messenger, September 23, 1890 page 603 |
ORCUTT. - Died near Portland, Jay Co., Ind., Sept. 13, 1890, Sister Samantha Orcutt, wife of James Orcutt, aged 33 y., 2 m. and 9 d. She became a member of the Ev. Lutheran Church at the age of 20 years, and about 6 years since she united with the Ev. Association, and has ever since led a consistent Christian life. She leaves husband, three children and many friends to mourn her departure. They sorrow in hope, for our sister died in the Lord. May the Lord comfort the bereaved friends and help them to meet in a better world. Funeral by the writer. H.H. Reingehl.
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Samantha E. METZNER was born July 4, 1857 in Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John METZNER and Catherine YOUNG. She married James ORCUTT on May 12, 1878 in Jay County, Indiana. Samantha is buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.
Though not named, the three children were: George Albert (b. 1881); Lena Leato (b. 1883) and Mamie Elnora (b. 1889). One son, Melvin Elias (d. 1889) preceded her in death.
Samantha was the grandmother of Harry Pierpont.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Black Sheep Sunday: Letter from Harry Pierpont July 14, 1933
Fellow researcher of Harry PIERPONT, Dave Hudson, contacted me some time ago and was kind enough to share a copy of the letter that Harry wrote to his great-grandfather, Lloyd Hobson. Lloyd was a member of the jury that convicted Harry for the robbery of the South Kokomo Bank.
A transcript of the letter follows:
Mr. Loyd Hobson
Rural Route R.R. # 2 Box 170
Kokomo, Indiana
June 26 July 14, 1933
My Dear Mr. Hobson:
I am writing you regarding a recommendation for parole from a term given me by the Howard County Court in which you served as a Juror. You possibly recall that this took place in May 1925. If you remember, I was sentenced to a term of ten to twenty-one years in the Reformatory from which I was transfered shortly afterwards. As you know the crime for which I was convicted was the robbery of the South Kokomo Bank in which four men participated, One of whom was paroled in two and a half years, and another in six and a half years. Up to now I have not asked for parole chiefly because I did not think I deserved it. Even now I am asking for consideration more for my parents sake than my own. I only have twenty-two months left and it would not hurt me to serve it, But these same months might be the means of saving my Father's life. My parents live on a farm in Ohio and my Dad is seriously ill of tuberculosis. A Bank failure took most of his life savings. Then a fire destroyed his barns and equipment. He has been confined to his bed for three months and the Doctors say he has little chance to recover and even if he does he must remain in bed for at least a year. This bad luck all combined has put my folks in a bad way, and if I could obtain my freedom now, I could do the work on the farm and ease my Dad's mind that much and he might have a chance to get better.
I am sure no one will hold it against me for trying to obtain my release under these circumstances. Mr. Homer Miller ex prosecutor wrote my Mother that as I had served over eight years he would have no objections to my parole. You know, very few men even serve as much time as I have for the same kind of offence, especially when as young as I was at the time of the offence was committed.
Is it asking too much of you to recommend me for parole? I'll assure you, you will never have cause to regret it, and you will have the everlasting gratitude of a Mother and Father who really need me. After all, Mr. Hobson. Don't you think that the law has served its purpose in my case?
I would appreciate it very much if you will write me your views and advice on this. Hopeing to hear from you real soon. I am.,
Respectfully yours.
Harry Pierpont # 11014
Box 41
Michigan City
Indiana
A transcript of the letter follows:
Mr. Loyd Hobson
Rural Route R.R. # 2 Box 170
Kokomo, Indiana
My Dear Mr. Hobson:
I am writing you regarding a recommendation for parole from a term given me by the Howard County Court in which you served as a Juror. You possibly recall that this took place in May 1925. If you remember, I was sentenced to a term of ten to twenty-one years in the Reformatory from which I was transfered shortly afterwards. As you know the crime for which I was convicted was the robbery of the South Kokomo Bank in which four men participated, One of whom was paroled in two and a half years, and another in six and a half years. Up to now I have not asked for parole chiefly because I did not think I deserved it. Even now I am asking for consideration more for my parents sake than my own. I only have twenty-two months left and it would not hurt me to serve it, But these same months might be the means of saving my Father's life. My parents live on a farm in Ohio and my Dad is seriously ill of tuberculosis. A Bank failure took most of his life savings. Then a fire destroyed his barns and equipment. He has been confined to his bed for three months and the Doctors say he has little chance to recover and even if he does he must remain in bed for at least a year. This bad luck all combined has put my folks in a bad way, and if I could obtain my freedom now, I could do the work on the farm and ease my Dad's mind that much and he might have a chance to get better.
I am sure no one will hold it against me for trying to obtain my release under these circumstances. Mr. Homer Miller ex prosecutor wrote my Mother that as I had served over eight years he would have no objections to my parole. You know, very few men even serve as much time as I have for the same kind of offence, especially when as young as I was at the time of the offence was committed.
Is it asking too much of you to recommend me for parole? I'll assure you, you will never have cause to regret it, and you will have the everlasting gratitude of a Mother and Father who really need me. After all, Mr. Hobson. Don't you think that the law has served its purpose in my case?
I would appreciate it very much if you will write me your views and advice on this. Hopeing to hear from you real soon. I am.,
Respectfully yours.
Harry Pierpont # 11014
Box 41
Michigan City
Indiana
Mr. Loyd Hobson July 14, 1933
Sir. - When I first sent this letter to you, I also sent one to each Juror in my case. Mr. Fred K. De Lon, R.R. # 1, Kokomo, received his, and the following is an exact copy of his reply.
Mr. Harry Pierpont Kokomo, IndianaMichigan City, Indiana June 30, 1933
I feel as though you had been punished enough for your wrong doing. If facts are as you state them in your letter, It might be a blessing to both you and your parents if you could be together again. I have no objections to you being paroled. It is not too late yet for you to make good.
Your friend,
Fred K. DeLon
You know, Mr. Hobson, it is not absolutely necessary to have Jurors consent to be paroled, But if I could show the Clemency Board that all concerned in my case had no objections, It would help me considerably.
I certainly would appreciate something like Mr. DeLon's letter from you. Thanking you in advance, I am,
Respectfully yours,
Harry Pierpont # 11014
P.S. This is a copy of letter just received from Mr. J.P. Duncan, also a member of the Jury.
Dear Mr. Pierpont
I received your letter of June 26. I certainly would have no objections to you getting your parole. The time you have served and under the circumstances, I think it would only be justice for you to get your parole. I certainly hope you get your freedom and yet have a happy and prosperous life, and I know it will be an encouragement to your parents. If there is anything more I can do to help you, I will be glad to do so. Hope this will be of some benefit to you.
Yours Most Truly,
J.P. DuncanR.R. # 8, Kokomo, Ind
Mr. Hobson, - July 14.
I have been delayed in reaching you. As the Board starts meeting July 25, time is short, Will you please give me an early reply. Harry Pierpont
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday : Officers on Trail of Bank Robbers
OFFICERS ON TRAIL OF BANK ROBBERS
NEW HARMONY, March 11 - Charles Chamberlain, farmer living near Griffin, reported late today that he had been held up last night by four men in a grey Hudson coach at the Wabash river, six miles south of Griffin, and was commanded to tell them where they could obtain a boat to cross the river. He claimed that the robbers gave him $80 and told him to keep quiet.
NEW HARMONY, March 11 - Scattering of guards along every road in southern Indiana with orders to "shoot to kill" marked Wednesday's developments in the state-wide search for four bank robbers who looted the New Harmony Bank and Trust company here Tuesday afternoon and escaped with $9,000 in cash and bonds in a grey Hudson coach, after locking customers and employees in the bank safe.
The trail of the bandits was picked up by authorities late Tuesday at Wadesville, through which the robbers passed on their way north from New Harmony. The Hudson coach in which they escaped was later seen at Poseyville going toward Wilson switch late Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities temporarily lost the trail here, being uncertain whether the robbers went west into Illinois or continued along the Indiana road.
No further word of the movements of the bandit car was obtained until Wednesday morning when it was again seen with the four men at King's station, in Gibson county. Police officers and deputy sheriffs were immediately rushed to the vicinity but no trace of the robbers could be found when they arrived.
Peace officers throughout the middle west have been wired descriptions of the men and the car with orders to "take no chances," placing them under arrest.
It is believed that the bandits are headed toward Chicago. Officials in nearby counties are of the opinion that the coach is stolen and that it will be abandoned before the thieves are captured.
The robbery was perpetrated shortly before 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Four persons, Frank Steelman, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. Grace Schluz, assistant cashier; Rev. J.A. Sumwalt and John Watson, were in the bank when the robbers appeared.
According to Steelman, all four of the men, who were apparently all under 30 and unusually rough in appearance, entered the building at once. When Steelman went to inquire what the first member, who entered his private office wanted, he was covered with two automatic pistols. The second robber then covered the assistant cashier, the third Watson and the minister. The fourth bandit stood guard at the doorway.
When Steelman failed to comply with their orders to open the safe door, one of them struck him with the butt of his gun, rendering him partially unconscious. The rest then gathered all the available currency and bonds from various drawers. When ordered to open the safe, the assistant cashier complied and all four of the occupants of the bank were imprisoned in it while the robbers made their escape in the auto, the motor of which had been left running.
Before making their escape, the robbers encountered Frank Steelman, son of the secretary, who was imprisoned at the point of a gun in a rear room in the bank.
He managed to escape shortly after the robbers had left and quickly released the prisoners in the bank. Telephone and telegraph messages were sent to authorities throughout the vicinity.
William Wade, town marshal, was standing in front of the bank, along with Sheriff John Hollen, of Gibson county, less than 10 minutes before the robbery. They had just left the vicinity when the bandits appeared. Sheriff Hollen was visiting in the city at the time, and according to his statement, could not have been more than a block away when the robbery was effected.
A check of the bank's stock Wednesday showed that the bandits had escaped with $4,800 in cash, $300 in gold and $4,000 in negotiable bonds. The loss was entirely covered by insurance, officials said Wednesday.
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This article is another in a series of stories of Indiana bank robberies 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.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Harry Pierpont's Grave
I stopped at the cemetery offices, located at 435 West Troy Ave, and obtained a copy of the plot map to show me exactly where the members of the family were buried. The offices are actually located at nearby Calvary Cemetery, approximately a mile or so from Holy Cross and St. Joseph cemeteries.
Earlier correspondence with the cemetery revealed the following information about the burials of Harry, Lena, Fred and Gilbert:
Hi Travis, here is the information that you have requested.
Lena died on 10/21/1958, at the age of 75, she lived in Lakeville, Indiana, she belong to Sacred Heart parish, her next of kin was Joseph Pierpont and he apparently paid for the funeral expenses, her funeral was held through Kirby Mortuary. There are other family members buried at this same location. Here is a list of their names:
Fern Pierpont, age 19, died Aug. 7, 1919Harry Pierpont, age 32, died Oct. 17, 1934Lena Pierpont, age 75, died Oct. 25, 1958Joseph Pierpont, age 80, died Oct. 6, 1961
All these family members are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Section 3-G, Lot 252, Lena is in grave 2.
Hopefully I have helped you, if you need anything else, please feel free to contact me.By the way FYI, we have just opened a new area in Holy Cross in which can be purchased for family burial until sold out.If you are interested in knowing more about this new area, just let me know. We haven’t had any burial for sale for 25 years, now we do until it’s sold out.
Sincerely,Denise Ruell317-519-5506
Denise Ruell
Family Service Advisor
435 W. Troy Avenue
Indianapolis, In 46225
Tel: 317-784-4439
Fax: 317-789-0360
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Five Things I Learned On My Last Research Trip
On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I took a couple of mental health days from work to do some much needed genealogy research. Monday, I was in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the Allen County Public Library. Tuesday, I was able to visit the Indiana State Archives in Indianapolis.
Not only was I able to make some good finds, I learned a few things about planning my future trips:
1. The stomach matters: Packing a lunch or finding a place to eat nearby to where you are researching is important. Sometimes I can get so engrossed in the genealogy "zone" that food doesn't seem important, until it is. By that time, either I'm ready to pass out from hunger or have to cut my research short. On Monday, I violated this rule and didn't pack a lunch, or leave the building to eat. I started researching at 9 a.m., and by about 2:30 p.m., the hunger pains were beginning to overtake me. On Tuesday, I had learned my lesson and packed a couple of sandwiches so I could go out to my car for lunch.
2. You cannot plan for every contingency: Copiers will jam, microfilm readers will be broken, roads will be under construction. Dealing with these issues has more to do with handling my temper and frustration issues than anything else.
3. Staying focused is harder than it seems: Too often, I can easily get sidetracked from my plan of attack, especially when I'm at a new research location or it has been awhile since I've been there. Walking past a stack of books, I catch myself reading the bindings, wondering "didn't I have some family in that locale?" If I'm not careful, I'm soon down a rabbit hole, researching some collateral line that wasn't part of my main goal for the trip.
4. Eating an elephant takes many small bites: Trying to do marathon research sessions and gathering information on multiple lines in one trip isn't practical. Better to plan out what lines and what sources you are going to research before taking the trip. Using my "to-do" list in my Rootsmagic software and online library catalogs really helped me handle this on my latest trip.
5. Sometimes the last second shot brings victory: Just when you're about to wrap it up for the day seems like the time when you check that one last source and make a great find! On Monday, right as I was about to leave - I spotted a source on the stacks, played a hunch, and found information that I wouldn't have suspected to have been in the Fort Wayne library.
I'll be sharing some of my finds in upcoming posts, but here is a synopsis of what I found:
Monday, Allen County Public Library: Researched obituaries from microfilmed copies of the Evangelical Messenger and located over a dozen obituaries of paternal ancestors; located death notice of Fern Pierpont in Indiananapolis News; researched arrest of Harry Pierpont and Thaddeus Skeer in Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette issues of 1925; copied information from published genealogies on Eileen's Rinehart line and my Alderman/Luark connection
Tuesday, St. Joseph Cemetery, Indianapolis: Visited cemetery office and located plot map; photographed tombstones of Pierpont family
Tuesday, Indiana State Archives: Researched Dillinger gang files relating to Harry Pierpont and obtained copies; including correspondence from his mother to the warden, governor, etc. asking for his release.
Not only was I able to make some good finds, I learned a few things about planning my future trips:
1. The stomach matters: Packing a lunch or finding a place to eat nearby to where you are researching is important. Sometimes I can get so engrossed in the genealogy "zone" that food doesn't seem important, until it is. By that time, either I'm ready to pass out from hunger or have to cut my research short. On Monday, I violated this rule and didn't pack a lunch, or leave the building to eat. I started researching at 9 a.m., and by about 2:30 p.m., the hunger pains were beginning to overtake me. On Tuesday, I had learned my lesson and packed a couple of sandwiches so I could go out to my car for lunch.
2. You cannot plan for every contingency: Copiers will jam, microfilm readers will be broken, roads will be under construction. Dealing with these issues has more to do with handling my temper and frustration issues than anything else.
3. Staying focused is harder than it seems: Too often, I can easily get sidetracked from my plan of attack, especially when I'm at a new research location or it has been awhile since I've been there. Walking past a stack of books, I catch myself reading the bindings, wondering "didn't I have some family in that locale?" If I'm not careful, I'm soon down a rabbit hole, researching some collateral line that wasn't part of my main goal for the trip.
4. Eating an elephant takes many small bites: Trying to do marathon research sessions and gathering information on multiple lines in one trip isn't practical. Better to plan out what lines and what sources you are going to research before taking the trip. Using my "to-do" list in my Rootsmagic software and online library catalogs really helped me handle this on my latest trip.
5. Sometimes the last second shot brings victory: Just when you're about to wrap it up for the day seems like the time when you check that one last source and make a great find! On Monday, right as I was about to leave - I spotted a source on the stacks, played a hunch, and found information that I wouldn't have suspected to have been in the Fort Wayne library.
I'll be sharing some of my finds in upcoming posts, but here is a synopsis of what I found:
Monday, Allen County Public Library: Researched obituaries from microfilmed copies of the Evangelical Messenger and located over a dozen obituaries of paternal ancestors; located death notice of Fern Pierpont in Indiananapolis News; researched arrest of Harry Pierpont and Thaddeus Skeer in Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette issues of 1925; copied information from published genealogies on Eileen's Rinehart line and my Alderman/Luark connection
Tuesday, St. Joseph Cemetery, Indianapolis: Visited cemetery office and located plot map; photographed tombstones of Pierpont family
Tuesday, Indiana State Archives: Researched Dillinger gang files relating to Harry Pierpont and obtained copies; including correspondence from his mother to the warden, governor, etc. asking for his release.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday: Posey Bank Bandits Get $10,000
Source: Evansville Courier, Evansville, Indiana March 11, 1925 page 1.
POSEY BANK BANDITS GET $10,000
NEW HARMONY IS SHOCKED BY BOLD DAYLIGHT ROBBERY
Four Unmasked Men Loot Trust Company of Cash and Bonds
BANK OFFICIAL IS BEATEN
Four Occupants of Building Locked In Vault; Robbers Flee in Auto
New Harmony March 10 - Four unmasked men held up the New Harmony Bank and Trust company shortly before four o'clock this afternoon, beat one of the officials of the company with the butt end of an automatic pistol, locked the four occupants of the bank in the vault, and escaped with $10,000 in cash and bonds. The men fled in a large grey sedan, going in the general direction of Evansville on the Wadesville road.
So quietly did the bandits work that the quiet little town was unaware a bank holdup had occurred until an hour after the happening.
Four persons, Frank Steelman, secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Greg Schultz, assistant cashier, the Rev. J.A. Sumwalt, and John Watson were in the bank at the time.
Driving quietly up to the building, the four men left the motor of their car running and walked into the bank. Three of them entered the cashier's room while one stood guard at the door. With guns drawn, the bandits commanded the occupants of the bank to hold up their hands, then forced them to lie on the floor, face downward, while they scooped up all available cash in the cash drawer and on the counter.
Locked in Safe
Steelman was then ordered to open the steel safe in the vault, and when he refused was struck over the head with the butt of a revolver in the hands of one of the bandits. He sustained a severe scalp wound.
Mrs. Schultz, assistant cashier, opened the door of the safe, which contained $4,000 in bonds. The robbers emptied the safe.
All four were then ordered into the vault and the doors closed behind them. Mrs. Schultz, overcome by the excitement, fainted and has been in a serious condition since, being under the care of a physician.
On leaving the bank, the bandits encountered Leslie Steelman, son of the secretary-treasurer, at the door. The youth was forced at the point of a gun to enter a room at the rear of the building. The bandits then fled in the awaiting machine, going in the direction of Evansville.
Young Steelman, within a minute after the bandits departed, opened the vault and released those imprisoned and telephones and telegraphs flashed the news to police authorities in adjoining cities and towns.
Frank Steelman, secretary and treasurer of the bank, said: "There were only four of us in the bank when the bandits entered. Mrs. Schultz and I, and two patrons. I was at the window of one of the cages and Mrs. Schultz was at the window of another. The Rev. Mr. Sumwalt was at a counter. The other patron in the bank was John Watson, ferryman.
Tells Story of Robbery
"I noticed a young man walk into the bank and enter my private office. I walked to the door to see what he wanted and found myself covered with two automatics. Another young man was behind him. He immediately covered Mrs. Schultz. The third covered the two customers while the fourth stood guard at the entrance.
"We were all forced to lie down on the floor, face downward, while the men rifled the cash drawer and took all the money on the counter. There was about $6,000 in cash there at the time.
"They then told me to open the steel safe in the vault. I replied that I couldn't do it and one of them struck me with the butt of an automatic causing a severe scalp wound. Mrs. Schultz then opened the safe and then dropped to the floor in a faint.
"In the safe was about $4,000 in bonds.
"The four of us were then commanded to enter the vault. They took the keys from us and locked the gates. On leaving, they met my son, Leslie, at the door. One of them covered him and took him to the rear of the building where they locked him in a room. They then left the building, entered their car, and sped away.
"We called to Leslie and he opened the gates behind which we were locked. I don't believe the bandits car could have been out of town by the time we got busy on the telephones calling the authorities of neighboring towns.
Escape In Grey Sedan
The car they were driving was a large grey sedan and was seen near Wadesville a few minutes after the robbery.
The story of the robbery, told by the Rev. Mr. Sumwalt coincides with that of Steelman. The pastor said he was a customer in the bank when the robbers entered. He said he did not see them enter the building.
"The first thing I knew of the affair was when I felt a gun punched into my ribs. I looked up and the man holding the gun on me commanded me to hold up my hands. I then saw the others in the bank covered. I was forced to lie down on the floor with my face downward as were the others. After the cash had been scooped up we were all locked up in the vault. We were released by Leslie Steelman, son of Frank Steelman.
The loss is fully covered by insurance, Steelman said last night.
"We carried ____ insurance", Steelman said. "I always provided for to cover _____ [last sentences illegible copy]
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This article is another in a series of stories of Indiana bank robberies 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.
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday: To Identify Bank Crooks
Source: Wabash Plain-Dealer, Wabash, Indiana, April 3, 1925
TO IDENTIFY BANK CROOKS
Detroit suspects not same as entered Laketon Bank say cashier and assistant
The Detroit bandits who have been identified as the robbers of the Kokomo bank and who are being brought to Kokomo, are not the men who robbed the laketon bank, according to a telegram received from Sheriff Summerland, now at Detroit, by the Plain Dealer.
The message read as follows: “Am leaving for Kokomo tonight with Pierpoint, Skeer, Louise Brunner, and Hayes. All identified by Kokomo bankers. Recovered $5200 Liberty bonds and $850 cash taken from Kokomo. Bright and Miss Ogden cannot identify these men on Laketon job. Two Kokomo officers with me.”
Failed to identify Men
E.L. Bright, cashier of the Laketon bank, and Mrs. Violet Ogden assistant cashier, accompanied Sheriff Summerland and the Kokomo men to Detroit yesterday afternoon. A.E. Gorton, cashier of the South Kokomo bank which was robbed, and Vernon Shaw, a customer in the bank, went to Detroit and easily identified the men as those who did the Kokomo robbing.
Those taken to Kokomo are: Harry Pierpoint; alias Frank Mason of Indianapolis; Thadeus “Ted” Skeer, 24, of Fort Wayne; Miss Louise Brunner, 22 years old, Skeer’s sweetheat, also of Fort Wayne.
Loot is Found
Pierpont was found with $1,000 on his person and bonds and securities totally $5,100 were uncovered in the apartment where the trio was found. The loot originally amounted to $9,100 in negotiable securities and about $2,000 in Liberty bonds.
Suspicion was directed toward Skeer, it is said, when it was learned that the machine used by the bandits had been stolen in Ft. Wayne a few days before.
He was suspected of the automobile theft, and when the robbery was reported, police began working on the theory that he was implicated. The machine was tolen from John L. Anguish, Boy Scout executive here.
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This follow up article to the robbery of the Laketon bank, highlights that the cashier failed to identify Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934) as one of the robbers.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday: Robbery Suspects Arrested
Source: Wabash Plain Dealer, Wabash, Indiana, April 2, 1915
ROBBERY SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Two men and women nabbed in Detroit may solve both Laketon and Kokomo thefts
There is every reason to believe that the bandits who robbed the Laketon bank have been captured. A United Press dispatch this afternoon told of the capturing in Detroit of two men and a woman who were identified with the robbery of the Kokomo bank, and Sheriff Summerland with other officials who have been on the job are fairly well convinced that the same men that visited at Kokomo also robbed the Laketon institution.
A United Press dispatch received by the Plain Dealer this afternoon stated that private detectives today arrested Louise Brummer, 22, Fort Wayne, with Frank Mason, 24, alias Harry Pierpont, and Thadius Skeer, 23, in connection with the robbery last week of a Kokomo bank.
When taken Mason had $850 on his person.
These are the names that local officials got at Kokomo on a recent trip there in connection with the Laketon robbery investigation since they were strongly of the opinion that they were after the same group because the robberies were so much alike.
Same Methods
“They took exactly the same methods at Laketon as they did at Kokomo,” said Sheriff Summerland. “They went in unmasked, proceeded the same way in the actual robbing and took pennies, dimes and quarters just as they did at Laketon.”
SHERIFF TO DETROIT
Sheriff Summerland and E.L. Bright, cashier of the Laketon bank, are to join the Kokomo bankers and officials on the 4:50 train to Detroit this afternoon to try to identify the men.
Kokomo is of the opinion that the same men are connected with the Laketon job, according to Sheriff Summerland who telephoned this afternoon to Kokomo.
Bright, the Laketon man, and the Kokomo bank officials are the ones who will identify the bandits since they are the only ones who got a really good look at them.
Story of Capture
Mr. Summerland was in the police offices at Kokomo when the officials there got on the trail of the woman and two men. The clue began when Detective Pappert at Fort Wayne telephoned to the Kokomo officials, saying that he had a tip that the woman, Louise Brummer, had left Fort Wayne on a certain train, saying that she was going to meet her friend, Thadius Skeer, who was in trouble.
A Pinkerton detective was in the Kokomo office when the message came in and he at once telephoned to his headquarters in Indianapolis asking if he might trail her. Permission was given and the man from Kokomo started. He got into communication with a Pinkerton man at Detroit and the latter got on the train out of the city. A note to the conductor was a means of identifying the Brummer woman for the Detroit detective and when she alighted at the Detroit station both men trailed her.
Get All Three of Them
In the apartment at Detroit, to which she went they found her and the two men. They were arrested and are held on a charge of robbery.
The man Pierpoint is said to have been the leader of the gang that robbed the Marion bank and he was the only one that was not captured. There were seven of them in all and every man said that Pierpoint was their leader. Sheriff Summerland has a picture of Pierpoint and got information regarding him at Kokomo.
“Kokomo officials will go to Detroit at once to get the bandits,” said Sheriff Summerland. “As soon ass they bring them there we will go over at once and see whether we can connect them up with the Laketon robbery. If so we will get them when Kokomo gets through, but that may be ten years.”
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This article details capture of Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934) and his gang who robbed banks in Indiana during the 1924-25 period. Harry later rose to fame as part of the Dillinger "Terror Gang". He was suspected in the robbery of the Laketon bank.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Pierpont Family in Indianapolis, 1919
 |
| Polk's 1919 City Directory, Indianapolis, Indiana |
Pierpont Clarence M mach h1150 Spruce
Pierpont Cora F clk CCC&StLRy r1150 Spruce
Pierpont Edw L lab h1462 S Harding
Pierpont Ezra M mach h206 N Chester av
Pierpont Fern M bkpr Fidelity Trust Co r54th and Keystone av
Pierpont Frank (USA) r1742 W Morris
Pierpont Jno E (USA) r1742 W Morris
Pierpont Jno T woodwkr r1742 W Morris
Pierpont Macel lndrs r967 King av
Pierpont Wm E mech h967 King av
Pierpont Wm R finisher h2812 Schofield av
Harry's sister Fern is working as a bookkeeper for Fidelity Trust Co., same as she was in the 1918 directory. In that directory, her residence was 1107 Blaine.
The unidentified Clarence PIERPONT appears to have moved between 1918-1919, in the 1918 directory he was living at 1819 Southeastern avenue. The Cora listed at the same address as Clarence could be his wife.
The Edward L. PIERPONT may be the same as the one found in earlier directories, who I believe was the son of John T. and Hester PIERPONT. In the 1918 directory, he was living at 1747 Blain avenue. Edward was a younger brother of Harry's father, Joseph Gilbert.
The Ezra M PIERPONT, the machinst, is I believe the brother of Edward L, also another son of John T. and Hester PIERPONT. In the 1918 directory, he was living at 1036 Blain avenue.
The Frank and John E PIERPONT, listed as serving in the U.S. Army, are the sons of John T. and Hester PIERPONT.
The John T. PIERPONT, woodworker, is the patriarch of most of the Indianapolis Pierpont families. He is living at the same household he was living in the 1918 directory.
The remaining Pierponts are unidentified into this family group at this time.
The listing for the 1918 directory can be found here.
Again, where was Harry's father, Joseph Gilbert and the rest of the family living at this time? Why are they found in the 1920 census in Indianapolis, but not in any directories between 1912-1920 period?
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday: Saws Are Found In Cells Of Alleged Bandits At Kokomo
Source: Marion Leader-Tribune, Marion, Indiana, April 7, 1925, p. 1.
SAWS ARE FOUND IN CELLS OF ALLEGED BANDITS AT KOKOMO
Kokomo, Ind., April 6. - Escape of Harry Pierpont and Thaddeus Skeer, charged with bank banditry in connection with the South Kokomo bank robbery, is believed to have been frustrated this afternoon when search was made of their cells at the Howard county jail where they are being confined.
Bar Partially Severed.
Ten saws, of which four had been used, were found concealed in the jail, and a bar was found partially severed. The prisoners had been held but two days before the alleged plot to escape was discovered.
Prosecuting Attorney Homer H. Miller has ordered an investigation of the escape attempt. Sheriff Joseph M. Lindley asserts that no visitors have been allowed in the cell house. A heavy guard is being maintained at the jail, day and night, by local authorities, who fear friends may attempt a delivery.
Miss Louise Brunner of Ft. Wayne, who is held as a witness, was released under bond tonight and allowed to return with her mother. Skeer and Pierpont were taken into city court today ad the date fore their preliminary hearing set for Thursday. Attorneys have been engaged to fight the charges against the prisoners.
Pierpont's parents arrived in Kokomo yesterday. Pierpont's attorneys do not yet admit his name is any other than Frank mason, the name he gave in Detroit.
E.L. Bright, cashier of the Laketon State Bank, which was robbed Monday of $1,968, and Violet Odgen, assistant cashier, saw Skeer, Pierpont and Hayes in Detroit, but were unable to identify them as the Laketon bandits.
A hardware dealer from Lebanon, who sought to identify the suspects as bandits who held him up several weeks ago and took a number of pistols and firearms, was unable to identify them yesterday.
Fort Wayne police, investigating the activities of "Ted" Skeer, Pierpont and "Whitey" Hayes, have strong evidence that the trio was involved in the holdup of the A & P store there March 21, according to Associated Press dispatches from that city.
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This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robberies of the South Kokomo 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 robberies terrorized Indiana during 1924-25.
SAWS ARE FOUND IN CELLS OF ALLEGED BANDITS AT KOKOMO
Kokomo, Ind., April 6. - Escape of Harry Pierpont and Thaddeus Skeer, charged with bank banditry in connection with the South Kokomo bank robbery, is believed to have been frustrated this afternoon when search was made of their cells at the Howard county jail where they are being confined.
Bar Partially Severed.
Ten saws, of which four had been used, were found concealed in the jail, and a bar was found partially severed. The prisoners had been held but two days before the alleged plot to escape was discovered.
Prosecuting Attorney Homer H. Miller has ordered an investigation of the escape attempt. Sheriff Joseph M. Lindley asserts that no visitors have been allowed in the cell house. A heavy guard is being maintained at the jail, day and night, by local authorities, who fear friends may attempt a delivery.
Miss Louise Brunner of Ft. Wayne, who is held as a witness, was released under bond tonight and allowed to return with her mother. Skeer and Pierpont were taken into city court today ad the date fore their preliminary hearing set for Thursday. Attorneys have been engaged to fight the charges against the prisoners.
Pierpont's parents arrived in Kokomo yesterday. Pierpont's attorneys do not yet admit his name is any other than Frank mason, the name he gave in Detroit.
E.L. Bright, cashier of the Laketon State Bank, which was robbed Monday of $1,968, and Violet Odgen, assistant cashier, saw Skeer, Pierpont and Hayes in Detroit, but were unable to identify them as the Laketon bandits.
A hardware dealer from Lebanon, who sought to identify the suspects as bandits who held him up several weeks ago and took a number of pistols and firearms, was unable to identify them yesterday.
Fort Wayne police, investigating the activities of "Ted" Skeer, Pierpont and "Whitey" Hayes, have strong evidence that the trio was involved in the holdup of the A & P store there March 21, according to Associated Press dispatches from that city.
------
This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robberies of the South Kokomo 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 robberies terrorized Indiana during 1924-25.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday: Did Not See Bank Bandit
Source: Marion Leader-Tribune, April 3, 1925, p. 7
DID NOT SEE BANK BANDIT
But Deputies Did Make Kokomo Trip
Deputy Sheriffs John Schell and Woody Smith, who were at Kokomo yesterday on business, denied that they had met Harry Pierpont, arrested at Detroit, in connection with the robbing of the South Kokomo bank March 27, and wanted here for taking part in the robbing of the South Marion and Upland banks, and identified the man as Pierpont, as was stated yesterday. The local officers went to Kokomo on other business with the Kokomo police department and did not see the alleged bank robbers, which were brought back from Detroit.
The Kokomo police in their investigation yesterday learned that Pierpont took part in the attempted robbery of of a Noblesville bank last fall, as well as having taken part in the Grant county bank robberies.
Roscoe C. "Whitey" Hayes, arrested at Detroit, as a suspect, who last fall was a member of the Pete Sullivan orchestra, was not one of the Kokomo bank robbers, in the opinion of the police. Thaddeus Skeer of Fort Wayne, the other bandit, under arrest, has told the police at Kokomo that Hayes does not know anything about the Kokomo robbery. Hayes was arrested after A.F. Gorton, cashier of the Kokomo bank had picked Hayes out of a photograph of fifty men of Company G, 152nd infantry, of which Hayes was a member, as the bandit who stood in the doorway of the bank while the robbery took place.
Pierpont, Skeer and Miss Louise Brunner of Fort Wayne, who is being held as a witness, were brought back to Kokomo yesterday morning under a guard of eleven armed men. They came by train to Peru and from Peru the trip to Kokomo was made by automobiles. The route taken and time of their arrival at Kokomo was kept carefully guarded until the party arrived at the Kokomo jail.
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This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robberies of the South Kokomo 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 robberies terrorized Indiana during 1924-25.
DID NOT SEE BANK BANDIT
But Deputies Did Make Kokomo Trip
Deputy Sheriffs John Schell and Woody Smith, who were at Kokomo yesterday on business, denied that they had met Harry Pierpont, arrested at Detroit, in connection with the robbing of the South Kokomo bank March 27, and wanted here for taking part in the robbing of the South Marion and Upland banks, and identified the man as Pierpont, as was stated yesterday. The local officers went to Kokomo on other business with the Kokomo police department and did not see the alleged bank robbers, which were brought back from Detroit.
The Kokomo police in their investigation yesterday learned that Pierpont took part in the attempted robbery of of a Noblesville bank last fall, as well as having taken part in the Grant county bank robberies.
Roscoe C. "Whitey" Hayes, arrested at Detroit, as a suspect, who last fall was a member of the Pete Sullivan orchestra, was not one of the Kokomo bank robbers, in the opinion of the police. Thaddeus Skeer of Fort Wayne, the other bandit, under arrest, has told the police at Kokomo that Hayes does not know anything about the Kokomo robbery. Hayes was arrested after A.F. Gorton, cashier of the Kokomo bank had picked Hayes out of a photograph of fifty men of Company G, 152nd infantry, of which Hayes was a member, as the bandit who stood in the doorway of the bank while the robbery took place.
Pierpont, Skeer and Miss Louise Brunner of Fort Wayne, who is being held as a witness, were brought back to Kokomo yesterday morning under a guard of eleven armed men. They came by train to Peru and from Peru the trip to Kokomo was made by automobiles. The route taken and time of their arrival at Kokomo was kept carefully guarded until the party arrived at the Kokomo jail.
------
This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robberies of the South Kokomo 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 robberies terrorized Indiana during 1924-25.
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday: Police Lose Trail of Kokomo Bandit Gang, Blue Car Found
Source: Marion Leader-Tribune, Marion, Indiana, March 28, 1925, p. 1.
POLICE LOSE TRAIL OF KOKOMO BANDIT GANG, BLUE CAR FOUND
Marion police have been asked to aid in the search for bandits, who held up and robbed the South Kokomo bank of $4,000 in cash and a like amount in Liberty bonds yesterday afternoon, and whose trail was lost when the conspicuous blue car, used by the bandits, to make their escape, was found concealed in a slough five miles southwest of Kokomo.
A farmer reported he saw the bandits, about seven in number, change to two small cars, which were a coupe and a sedan.
Many Reports Received
In the meantime many reports had come from Grant, Madison and other counties telling of blue cars which had been seen. This information became of no value when it was found the bandits had abandoned this car.
The bandits entered the bank singly. While the first was having a $10 bill changed a second entered and waited at the cashier's window.
The third suddenly displayed a gun and ordered A.E. Gorton, cashier, Miss Winifred Dimitt, assistant cashier, and Miss Frances Gorton into the rear room. Gorton was forced, with a pistol at the back of his head, to open the inner vault.
"Speedy," a small terrier, boldly attacked the burglar's ankles, and was kicked into the basement.
The bandit's car was stolen from Ft. Wayne Thursday night, and carried the license plates of a phaeton belonging to Barrett M. Woodsmall of Indianapolis, stolen from there March 11, and found here riddled with bullets Thursday night.
Holdup is Watched
The holdup was watched by three young men in a drug store across the street from the bank, but they were prevented from calling police because of fear of a stranger who stood in the store and watched them closely. The alarm was not sounded until the bandits had escaped with their money.
The bandits, at least several of them, have been seen twice in Kokomo recently. They took lunch at a small cafe in the south part of town last Sunday, and previously tried to get rooms in the hotel above the restaurant.
Cashier Gorton had some difficulty in working the combination of the safe, and this angered the bandit who held the gun over him, and he threatened "to blow his brains out." The men were in the bank about ten minutes. Only one customer tried to enter, Vernon Shaw, and he was slapped by one of the men and later robbed of $18.
The bandits tore the telephone from the wall, and also broke a shotgun and took away the extra cartridges.
The impression was that the bandits had gone to Indianapolis, but after they abandoned the blue car it was difficult to determine which road was taken. Reports came from many places of seeing cars travel at a fast rate of speed, but none were definite.
------
This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robberies of the South Kokomo 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 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.
POLICE LOSE TRAIL OF KOKOMO BANDIT GANG, BLUE CAR FOUND
Marion police have been asked to aid in the search for bandits, who held up and robbed the South Kokomo bank of $4,000 in cash and a like amount in Liberty bonds yesterday afternoon, and whose trail was lost when the conspicuous blue car, used by the bandits, to make their escape, was found concealed in a slough five miles southwest of Kokomo.
A farmer reported he saw the bandits, about seven in number, change to two small cars, which were a coupe and a sedan.
Many Reports Received
In the meantime many reports had come from Grant, Madison and other counties telling of blue cars which had been seen. This information became of no value when it was found the bandits had abandoned this car.
The bandits entered the bank singly. While the first was having a $10 bill changed a second entered and waited at the cashier's window.
The third suddenly displayed a gun and ordered A.E. Gorton, cashier, Miss Winifred Dimitt, assistant cashier, and Miss Frances Gorton into the rear room. Gorton was forced, with a pistol at the back of his head, to open the inner vault.
"Speedy," a small terrier, boldly attacked the burglar's ankles, and was kicked into the basement.
The bandit's car was stolen from Ft. Wayne Thursday night, and carried the license plates of a phaeton belonging to Barrett M. Woodsmall of Indianapolis, stolen from there March 11, and found here riddled with bullets Thursday night.
Holdup is Watched
The holdup was watched by three young men in a drug store across the street from the bank, but they were prevented from calling police because of fear of a stranger who stood in the store and watched them closely. The alarm was not sounded until the bandits had escaped with their money.
The bandits, at least several of them, have been seen twice in Kokomo recently. They took lunch at a small cafe in the south part of town last Sunday, and previously tried to get rooms in the hotel above the restaurant.
Cashier Gorton had some difficulty in working the combination of the safe, and this angered the bandit who held the gun over him, and he threatened "to blow his brains out." The men were in the bank about ten minutes. Only one customer tried to enter, Vernon Shaw, and he was slapped by one of the men and later robbed of $18.
The bandits tore the telephone from the wall, and also broke a shotgun and took away the extra cartridges.
The impression was that the bandits had gone to Indianapolis, but after they abandoned the blue car it was difficult to determine which road was taken. Reports came from many places of seeing cars travel at a fast rate of speed, but none were definite.
------
This article is another in a series of follow-up stories to the robberies of the South Kokomo 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 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.
Friday, November 04, 2011
Pierpont Family in Indianapolis, 1918
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| Polk's 1918 Directory, City of Indianapolis, Indiana |
Pierpont Clarence M bench hd h1819 Southeastern av
Pierpont Edw lab h1747 Blaine av
Pierpont Elpha L furn rms 112 w North
Pierpont Ezra M mach h1036 Blaine av
Pierpont Fern M bkpr Fidelity Trust Co r1107 Blaine av
Pierpont Jno T wood wkr h1742 w Morris
Pierpont Macel r907 King av
Pierpont Raymond clk r2810 Schofield av
Pierpont Wm E lab r967 King av
Pierpont Wm R clk Merrill & Alford r2810 Schofield avHarry's sister, Fern, is listed as the bookkeeper for Fidelity Trust Company and is living at 1107 Blaine Avenue, the same address she had in the 1916 directory.
The unidentified Clarence PIERPONT appears at the same address as the 1916 directory.
The Edward PIERPONT appears to be the same as Edward L. from the 1916 directory. Believe he is the son of John T. and Hester PIERPONT, and a younger brother of Joseph Gilbert PIERPONT, Harry's father.
The Elpha L. PIERPONT is unidentified at this time.
The Ezra M. PIERPONT, a machinist, I believe is the brother of Edward and Joseph Gilbert PIERPONT, and son of John T. and Hester PIERPONT.
The John T. PIERPONT, residing at 1742 Morris was Harry's grandfather.
The Macel PIERPONT remains unidentified, as does the Raymond PIERPONT, who was listed as Roy in the 1916 directory. The William R. PIERPONT at the Schofield address is likewise unidentified.
The other William, William E. PIERPONT is likewise unidentified.
There were multiple PIERPONTs in Indianapolis during this time period, all of whom were probably related, but at this point I haven't tied them all together. Since I'm primarily looking for Harry's family, I haven't spent much time sorting out the other cousins.
Where was Harry's father, Joseph Gilbert PIERPONT during this time? Found him in 1912 directory, yet I'm not finding him listed in directories after that point until the 1920 census.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Black Sheep Sunday: Father Surrenders His Bandit Son
Source: Marion Leader-Tribune, Marion, Indiana, January 11, 1925, p. 1.
FATHER SURRENDERS HIS BANDIT SON
KOKOMO YOUTH IS SENT TO PRISON
George R. Frazer Says That Women Were Not Innocent of Bank Raids
One Visited The Bank
Got Change to See Lay of Ground and Reported the Conditions
"Is this the captain?" inquired a man of Capt. Jake Campbell at police station yesterday afternoon. "It is," replied Captain Campbell. "Well here is one of the bank robbers," replied the stranger, who was R.A. Frazer of 1224 So. Washington street, Kokomo, who turned over his son, George R. Frazer, 23, as one of the bandits who robbed both the South Marion and Upland banks and who admitted to being a member of the gang, which attempted the robbery of the Noblesville bank. After turning over his son to the police, the father broke down and cried and at the request of the bandit son, returned to Kokomo at once.
Following the Upland robbery, Frazer fled to Canada and returned to his home at Kokomo late Friday night. His father learning that his son had been implicated in the robberies and that he was wanted by the authorities, left Kokomo shortly after noon yesterday with his son for Marion. After the police station was reached, Frazer told Captain Campbell that he would have the chance that he would "blow his (Frazer's) brains out," and precautions were taken to see that Frazer did not get hold of a gun.
Women Knew Plans.
When questioned later he said that the two women, Mrs. Mary Bridgewater and Mrs. Emily Morse, who have been sentenced, knew all about the plans for the robbery at the South Marion bank and that a short time before the South Marion bank was robbed, the Bridgewater women went into the bank to get a bill changed and while there, sized up the bank, getting the number of persons in the bank and the lay of the land.
Frazer was taken to the court house, where a warrant was sworn out and signed by Chief of Police Frank Brandon, charging Frazer with automobile banditry, for having been implicated in the South Marion robbery. Judge J. Frank Charles was notified that another bank robber was waiting to be arraigned in circuit court and arrived in court a short time later. A plea of guilty was entered by Frazer and after being questioned at some length by Prosecuting Attorney Jay Keever and Judge Charles, was sentenced to from ten to twenty-five years in the reformatory near Pendleton.
Frazer said that he was born in Kokomo and his home address was 1224 South Washington street, Kokomo, and that he had no regular occupation, having worked at the machinists' trade when he could get work, but had been out of work for several months. He admitted to having been sentenced from Kokomo in 1918 or 1919 for thirty days on the penal farm for attempted robbery and also was sentenced to the reformatory for from five to fourteen years on a charge of November 20, 1920, from Kokomo, and is now out on parole, hoaving been out of prison since March, 1924.
Looking for Work.
He stated that on the morning November 26, the day of the South Marion bank was robbed, that he was looking for work, when four men, whom he knew in prison, met him in a machine and told him that they were looking for some place to "stick up," but had not decided on the city. Two women were in the machine, he said, but he did not know them. Frazer said he told them he was out of work and disguested [sic] and that they asked that they asked him if he knew of a good place to hold and rob and he told them he did not. He jumped into the machine and came to Marion. One of the men said that they would drive over to Marion and see if they could see some place that "would look reasonable." They drove to South Marion and seeing the South Marion bank, decided that this place would probably be all right. The machine stopped a short distance of the bank and Mrs. Bridgewater got out of the machine and went into the bank where she asked for some change from a paper bill. While in the bank, she counted the number of people in the bank, noted the location of the side door, the location of the safe and other details, according to Frazer. She then returned to the car and reported things as being favorable. A few minutes later the party then drove up to the bank, the men getting out of the machine and going in the bank, while the two women remained in the car.
Robberies Planned.
Frazer told Judge Charles, in reply to a question as to whether plans had been made by members of the gang, while in prison, to rob banks, said that they had talked things over, but had made no definite arrangements.
Frazer is the seventh member of the gang of nine persons, seven men and two women, who took part in the robbing of the Upland and South Marion banks, to be arrested and sentenced to prison. Sheriff Bert Renbarger holds a warrant against Frazer on a charge of automobile banditry and also against the two persons who have not yet been arrested.
------
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.
FATHER SURRENDERS HIS BANDIT SON
KOKOMO YOUTH IS SENT TO PRISON
George R. Frazer Says That Women Were Not Innocent of Bank Raids
One Visited The Bank
Got Change to See Lay of Ground and Reported the Conditions
"Is this the captain?" inquired a man of Capt. Jake Campbell at police station yesterday afternoon. "It is," replied Captain Campbell. "Well here is one of the bank robbers," replied the stranger, who was R.A. Frazer of 1224 So. Washington street, Kokomo, who turned over his son, George R. Frazer, 23, as one of the bandits who robbed both the South Marion and Upland banks and who admitted to being a member of the gang, which attempted the robbery of the Noblesville bank. After turning over his son to the police, the father broke down and cried and at the request of the bandit son, returned to Kokomo at once.
Following the Upland robbery, Frazer fled to Canada and returned to his home at Kokomo late Friday night. His father learning that his son had been implicated in the robberies and that he was wanted by the authorities, left Kokomo shortly after noon yesterday with his son for Marion. After the police station was reached, Frazer told Captain Campbell that he would have the chance that he would "blow his (Frazer's) brains out," and precautions were taken to see that Frazer did not get hold of a gun.
Women Knew Plans.
When questioned later he said that the two women, Mrs. Mary Bridgewater and Mrs. Emily Morse, who have been sentenced, knew all about the plans for the robbery at the South Marion bank and that a short time before the South Marion bank was robbed, the Bridgewater women went into the bank to get a bill changed and while there, sized up the bank, getting the number of persons in the bank and the lay of the land.
Frazer was taken to the court house, where a warrant was sworn out and signed by Chief of Police Frank Brandon, charging Frazer with automobile banditry, for having been implicated in the South Marion robbery. Judge J. Frank Charles was notified that another bank robber was waiting to be arraigned in circuit court and arrived in court a short time later. A plea of guilty was entered by Frazer and after being questioned at some length by Prosecuting Attorney Jay Keever and Judge Charles, was sentenced to from ten to twenty-five years in the reformatory near Pendleton.
Frazer said that he was born in Kokomo and his home address was 1224 South Washington street, Kokomo, and that he had no regular occupation, having worked at the machinists' trade when he could get work, but had been out of work for several months. He admitted to having been sentenced from Kokomo in 1918 or 1919 for thirty days on the penal farm for attempted robbery and also was sentenced to the reformatory for from five to fourteen years on a charge of November 20, 1920, from Kokomo, and is now out on parole, hoaving been out of prison since March, 1924.
Looking for Work.
He stated that on the morning November 26, the day of the South Marion bank was robbed, that he was looking for work, when four men, whom he knew in prison, met him in a machine and told him that they were looking for some place to "stick up," but had not decided on the city. Two women were in the machine, he said, but he did not know them. Frazer said he told them he was out of work and disguested [sic] and that they asked that they asked him if he knew of a good place to hold and rob and he told them he did not. He jumped into the machine and came to Marion. One of the men said that they would drive over to Marion and see if they could see some place that "would look reasonable." They drove to South Marion and seeing the South Marion bank, decided that this place would probably be all right. The machine stopped a short distance of the bank and Mrs. Bridgewater got out of the machine and went into the bank where she asked for some change from a paper bill. While in the bank, she counted the number of people in the bank, noted the location of the side door, the location of the safe and other details, according to Frazer. She then returned to the car and reported things as being favorable. A few minutes later the party then drove up to the bank, the men getting out of the machine and going in the bank, while the two women remained in the car.
Robberies Planned.
Frazer told Judge Charles, in reply to a question as to whether plans had been made by members of the gang, while in prison, to rob banks, said that they had talked things over, but had made no definite arrangements.
Frazer is the seventh member of the gang of nine persons, seven men and two women, who took part in the robbing of the Upland and South Marion banks, to be arrested and sentenced to prison. Sheriff Bert Renbarger holds a warrant against Frazer on a charge of automobile banditry and also against the two persons who have not yet been arrested.
------
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.
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