Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-08-11
INGENIOUS BANK ROBBERIES

INGENIOUS BANK ROBBERIES
~ Detective's story.
"a
BY G. ". WALLS.
had been one Of Pinkerton's detectives
two Year, when first met Kate Putnam,
10 prettiest and sweetest girl--to mo
thak I hnd ever seen. She was fair as a
NY, With eyes Of impenetrable blue, cheeks
md lips like roses, and 4 wealth Of golden
yiuglets that captivated me completely.
She possessed well-rounded and rather
plump form, and was below the medium
height, but - l was rather tall and slender
naturally admired the plumpness that
lacked IN my own pefson; so true it is TINT
~ poor mortals desire most that which
nature has failed to provide MS with.
Kate had been resident Of Blakesburg
but few weeks when was sent by my
chief u perform little lob Of detective
work ID that village, and I first met her at
church fair. was thrown into her
s0ciety BY purchasing supper, which was
soldby numbers and served in baskets, and,
10 tate would have it, luckily drew
the number Of her basket. As is usual on
such occasions, shared the lunch with
her. This was the beginning OF an ac-
quaintance that soon ripened into mutual
respect and admiration, and later, into
love.
succeeded in securing the evidence in
ths care was working up-that Of arson
but wns 10th to leave Kate. II was 90
I much pleasanteT to bask in her smiles than
b associate with criminals, and hence
ft1c - vl,~.~
should have finished my work and returned
70 Chicago In one fourth Of that time. It
II probable. however, that ] would not have
fsturned to the city for two months, but for
telegram from my chief, informing me
that two or three daring bank robberies had
been perpetrated, and commanding me 10
report At headquarters Immediately.
When I informed Kate Of the character
Ok the telegram, she seemed greatly sgi-
tAted, but, ns ] had NO time for explana-
ti0ns. I tore myself away from her and was
soon hurried to Chicago. She exacted
pxomise that should write frequently,
which was entirely unnecessary, for /
would have attended to that at the risk OF
reglecting my business.
Arrived 1t Chicago, my chief informed
~ Of the details OF three burglaries, 30
fsr - be could learn the details, but the
information was very meager, and the
cluss TO the identity Of the burglars were
unsatisfactory.
The bank in the. village Of Redwing had
been robbed Of SO, 900, and the directors
Of the hank suspected the cashier; for the
burglary was committed about 80 O'Clock
on Monday morning, or at least the
money wns missing.
Une week later bank at Laughing
Water was also robbed, $4,000 being
gone. The circumstances OF the burglary
were ~ every respect similar to those at
kedwing,
Two days iafer the bank at Elm Grove
!ost HliVv ~ precisely the same way
that the other two banks were robbed.
Az soon as my chief gave me all the in
Yormation he had on the subject. he asked
me Tor my theory OF the case, as 1t was
evident thai the robberies had been COM
mttted BY the same person or persons, al
though Il widely separated points.
told him that had mo- theory, having
no data sufficient to construct theory
upon. out gave Il % my opinion that the
last bank robbed should receive the first
attention, - y was moro likely to furnish
clues.
The chief coincided with me, and de-
parted immediateiy TO the scene OF the
latest bank robbery. after notifying Kate
assto my whereabouts. / knew it would
require some time to unrsvel the mystery
connected with the crime, and, eagerly as
set g work, l felt deeper interest in
Kate than solving the dificult problem Of
NE robbery.
Arriving at Elm Grove. ! sent . message
tothe President Of the bank, asking him to
meet me A. my room IN the principal hotel
~ the village. He complied, but could
give me very htfie information other than