River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-03-06
KILLED IN HIS TRACKS.
Kansas Onicers Overtake the Robber OF
the Valley Falls Bank-Hs Resists Ar
rest and Is Shot Dead.

Kansas Onicers Overtake the Robbers OF
the valley Falls Bank-Hs Resists Ar
rest and Is Shot Dead.
TOPEKA. Kan, March 3.--A tragedy
which reads like the Jesse james stories
was begun at Valley Falls late Saturday
svening by tho robbery of Hicks. tiep-.
hart e. Co.'S bank and had its sequel
early Sunday morning at Meriden.
small village fifteen miles northeast OF
Topeka, where the robber was killed
and the money recovered. 1t is sup
posed from papers found on the body
that the name of the outlaw was Robert
Robinson. He made his advent at Val
ley Falls early Saturday morning,
loafed around town all day, and bought
0 red handkerchief of q merchant
named Hutchins. before whom he
displayed a roll of bills amount
ing, it was thought, to about
$500. During the forenoon he entered
Gephart's bank and stood at the desk
for some time figuring. He then hired
horse and rode through the outskirts,
returning at noon and lettering for q
time at Crosby's bank. About O'Clock
in the afternoon he returned TO Gep-
hart's bank and asked the cashier
for permission to warm himself by
the stove. He wore dark cap, leather
cowboy cape and checked pants, and
the red handkerchief alluded to was tied
across his mouth. He claimed to have
the toothache. The cashier counted
his cash and went TO put it in the
vault, when his visitor drew two re-
yolvers and ordered him TO throw
up his hands. The cashier, J. G.
Cohn, laid down the money, about
So, 900. whereupon the robber picked it
up, and, compelling Cohn to give him
the keys. told him he would leave them
on the outside, and escaping through
the front door, which he locked after
him, disappeared.
Twenty minutes work in unscrewing
the bolts and opening the door released
the cashier, but his man was gone. The
officers were at once notified of the rob-
berry, and after telegraphing descrip-
ton of the robber in all directions
posse of men was started out on horse
back to discover the trail il possible.
At 1880 o'clock Saturday night a man
entered the telegraph Office at Meriden
and lounged about the room. Tel
sgraph- Operator Taylor, lad of 16.
paid no particular attention to the
stranger, although he overheard him
chuckle and remark, as il talking TO
himself: I'm slick 'un." Taylor was
busted at the moment receiving the fol-
lowing message from Valley Falls:
ITO THE SHERIFF, MKRIDEN, KAN: Hicks s
Gebhart's bank robbed this evening OF 5000.
To. -
Blonde, Ii. mar and mustachc, blue eyes.
feet IL tall. medium weight SHERIFF."
The operator looked up and nearly
lost his breath when he saw standing
before him the man described in the
dispatch. He did not reveal the fact
OF the recognition, but merely agreed
with the stranger that he was slick
'un." The stranger inquired the time OF
the next train for Atchison and asked
where he could put up for the night.
The operator directed him to hotel,
where the ''slick'un" took room with
out registering, requesting that he be
called at o'clock in the morning in
time for the Atchison train.
Taylor telegraphed the authorities at
Valley Falls, who Immediately wired
the constable at Meriden to make the
arrest. The latter was afraid to act,
so Policemen Summerville and Shyor
were sent from Valley Falls, reaching
Meriden about o'clock Sunday morn
ing. They were armed with rifles and
acquainted the hotel proprietor with the
purpose of their errand. A bell-boy was
sent to the strangers room with the
message that ii war $50 o'clock, and
time to get up to catch the Atchison
train.
When the stranger descended to the
Office he was confronted with the police
officers with Winchester rifles pointed
squarely at his breast. He never ouiv-
cred, but looked inquiringly around.
Throw up your handsv' Officer Smith
gave the command. The stranger
seemed to realize his situation,
but instead of obeying the
command he thrust hand in
either side pocket Of his overcoat to
draw the revolvers which only a few
hours before had intimidated Cashier
Cohn OF the Valley Falls Bank. AS the
stranger made the motion towards his
weapons both Winchesters were dis
charged instantly at his breast. The
stranger fell dead with one bullet
through his heart and another through
his right lung.
A hasty search OF the body discovered
a notebook in one pocket market with
the initials "B. r." Memoranda In the
book indicated that he was farm hand
and had worked in October shocking
corn for a man named S. X. Shaw.
An examination Of the outlaws boots
revealed the prize sought by the Of
ficers and established the identity OF
the criminal. A roll of greenbacks was
produced which counted out 81, $50, of
which $500 was the money he had
flashed before Merchant Hutchins in
the morning and the balance was the
banks money.
The coroner was notified Immediately,
and before noon the verdict was re-
turned exhonerating the officers of
any criminality in having caused the
death Of the bank robber, self-defense
being their excuse.
The robbery was the most daring and
reckless that has occurred in this State
for years, and retribution overlook the
robber with unusual promptness, for
which the boy operator is entitled to
the entire credit He will probably get
the $500 reward for the capture of the
robber.