The record-union., 1896-10-08
The Assistant Cashier and a Travelling
Salesman Instantly Killed.
Robbers Doing a Thriving Business in
NebraSka-SafeS of Two Banks and
Postoffice Blown Open and a
Large Amount of Money Stolen
All Three R0bberies Happen in
Different Cities.

SHERBURNE (Minn.), Oct. This
town is in a state of excitement tonight
over the most thrilling tragedy that
ever occurred in Southern Minnesota.
The Bank of Sherburne was robbed of
large sum of money and two men
were instantly killed about twenty min
utes after 1 o'clock this afternoon.
About noon the two men, one of whom
looked like mere boy, rode along the
main street on bicycles. They were
both we'll dressed. No particular atten-
ton was paid to them, as Sherburne is
a town of about 5000 people, most of
them workingmen. and at that hour
they were hurrying home to dinner.
The strangers hung around the out
skirts until shortly after / o'clock, ap-
parently sizing up the situation. AT
that time they sauntered lazily down
the street and stopped Immediately in
front Of the Bank of Sherburne. After
a moments talk they went into the
bank, and the elder of the men en-
gagged Assistant Cashier George Thor
burn in conversation.
Precisely what occurred inside the
bank is not known, as nobody was on
the street in that immediate vicinity
at that time. One of the deSperadoes,
however, evidently got hold Of roll
of bills amounting to about 81 ,OOU.
Thorburn probably attempted to pre-
vent the men from getting away with
the money, and they drew their revOl-
vers and began firing, at the same time
retreating. One of the bullets struck
Thorburn in the neck and another cut
the aorta, causing almost instant death
from hemorrhage.
The shooting in the bank aroused the
town, and people began running in that
direction. The first man to reach the
place was Olaf Oestern, travelling
salesman for the Wood Harvester Com
pany of st. Paul. The desperadoes evil
IDENTIFY feared that they would be cap
tured, and they quickly turned their
firearms upon Oestern. He made a
dash to grapple with them, but was not
quick enough, as he was struck in the
head and fell dead at their feet. They
ran down the street firing at random,
While people in the street scurried to
places Of safety.
The fleeing robbers ran about three
blocks to a clump of bushes, where they
mounted their wheels and rode rapidly
away toward the county line six miles
to the south.
Mayor Everett at once did all in his
power, together with the Town Mar
shall, to run down the bandits. He also
sent a dispatch to Governor Clough at
ST. Paul telling him Of the tragedy and
asking his advice. The Governor an
swered Immediately to wire all points
and send out posses. surrounding Sher-
burne. The Governor also wired w. P.
HILL Sheriff of Martin County, to send
out posses at once, and to wire all sur
rounding points.
Sheriff Hill was at Fairmont, the
county seat of Martin County, twenty
miles east, but he came on here by train
and organized large posse of Sher-
burne men, which rode sOuthWard late
in the afternoon.
At 10 O'Clock tonight the Sheriff's
posse returned to town, having found
no trace of the desperadoes.
A posse of 500 men will leave here at
daylight.
THREE ROBBERIES IN NEBRASKA.
LINCOLN CNeb.), Oct. 1.-Claytonia,
twenty-seven miles south of Lincoln.
was aroused at l O'Clock this morning
by loud explosion. 1t was soon found
that the vault Of the Claytonia Depos-
itory had been blown open and about
81 800 stolen. Two horses belonging to
Rev. Edward Sallenbach were missing.
Three suspicious looking men had been
camping in the woods, and yesterday
were in the village buying bread. A
large posse is securing the country for
the robbers.
William Steinmeyer, President Of the
bank, came to Lincoln this morning.
While he was reporting the robbery to
the Lincoln police Albert P. Anderson
arrived to report that the Bank OF
Shelby, Polk County, had been robbed
Of So, 100, of which $40 was in pennies.
Mr.. Anderson is President Of the bank
and lives in Lincoln. He received word
by wire that the robbery occurred about
o'clock The burglar-proof safe was
blown open with dynamite. Many heard
the explosion and hurried to the bank,
but found no one in sight.
Shelby and Claytonia are seventy
miles apart, so two gangs were evident
ly at work.
The postoffice at Glenville, twelve
miles from Hastings, had it's safe blown
open Sunday night and $3.50, besides
stamps was taken. All the work is that
of expertS