Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01
BANK ROBBERS.
South Chicago's Exciting Robbery
and Pursuit.
THE MERCHANTS BANK RAIDED.
The Cashier Knocked Down and Money
Tsken-Detcrmined Pursuit and Final
Capture of the Men After Consider
able Shooting.

CHICAGO. Dec. 3O.-A few minutes af-
ter noon yesterday three men. entered
the Merchants Exchange Bank on Com
mercial avenue, South Chicago. The
cashier, Nr. Wilder, and the bookkeep-
er, Mr.. Walter Willis, had both gone
out to lunch, and the only person left in
the bank was Frank Lynn, about 20
years old, who acted as assistant cashier.
There were two windows in the bank
railing, and one of the men went to each
window, while the third walked to the
rear and going through a wooden gate
came to the locked wicket which d.
vided the cashiers apartment from the
Office proper.
The man at the first window said to
young Lynn, Hand out the cash you've
got there" at the same time putting up
two revolvers.
Lynn hesitated an instant and the
man at the second window, who had one
revolver out, drew another and pointing
them at Lynn said: Now, just let that
fellow in the back there and be quick
about it."
Lynn nervously unlocked the door
and the robber Immediately entered and
without a word knocked Lynn down
with a terrific backhander and then
kicked him in the stomach.
Leaving the young clerk on the floor,
dazed and groaning. the assailant en-
tered the vault and took from the safe
three $500 packages of bills and about
$50 in change, besides tin box contain
ing deeds and mortgages. After securing
this he walked out and, picking Lynn
up, threw him into the vault and turned
the lock-
After Lynn had been stored in the
vault the burglars pocketed their guns
and put their spoil into a large sack,
which they had brought along for the
purpose. They then started out, and
as they got to the door met Bookkeeper
Willis, who supposing them to be Gus
toners, passed them by and the rob
bers, taking buggy, drove down the
street.
Mr.. Willis was amazed to find the
vaults locked and no one in the bank.
The first thing he did was to open the
safe when, to the utter astonishment,
out fell young Lynn bloody and groan-
ing: willis, the banks been robbed"
The bookkeeper, with Lynn struggling
after him, at once started TO give the
alarm. A few yards from the door,
Police Lieutenant J. Ell1ins was coming
from a restaurant with Sergeant
Powers. The clerks excitedly informed
the lieutenant of what had happened.
PaHsing only long enough to send
word for patrol wagon to follow, the
sergeant and lieutenant gave chase on
foot. The patrol wagon was but a
minute in getting out with three officers.
Elkins and Powers, soon overtaken,
clambered in and whipping the horses,
started in hot pursuit. As they turned
into South Chicago avenue they could
see a fleeing buggy mile ahead Of
them which they knew carried their
men.
The lash was piled mercilessly, and
the police were gaining every minute
on the fugitives, when, at Grand Cross
ing, the lieutenant to his dismay saw
that his horses were playing out, and
he would eventually be eluded by the
cool, calculating desperadoes, who had
still good long lead and were driving
with remarkable Judgment. Sending
the wagon and officers on to continue
the chase, Lieutenant Jenkins jumped
TO the ground and hurried to the nearest
telephone to order out q fresh patrol
Two of the officers had brought shot
guns, and he told them to use them as
soon as they got IN range.
l7a
til the buggy got to the corner of
South Chicago avenue, where the rob-
bers deserted it and got into the meat
wagon Of Charles Mullin, who was
waiting with his covered wagon, and
the idea evidently with the robbers was
that they could then Jog along and
avoid suspicion, but they had not
counted~on such prompt pursuit and
being seen by the officers had to con-
tinue on a run
Near sixtieth street the officers came
within range < fkea thAlE ezEt sal-