The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-01
Big Reward Onered for Their Capture
and Angry Citizens Sc0ur the
Country Seeking Vengeance.
FATAL BURNING OF TWO BOYS
THEY USED GASOLINE TO MAKE THE
KITCHEN FIRE BURN.
PennsyfvaniE Brakeman Killed at
observation-disclosures County Coal
Ffelds-Other Indiana News.

hAfOh1E, lnd., NOV. oO.-W nlle ueIenu-
ing the safe In the bank at Westvile. La
porte county, from attack by gang
OF robbers. Westly Reynolds. aged six
teen, who employed in the bank and
clothing store as clerk and who at night
slept In the place. at an early hour this
morning was shot and instantly killed.
but not before he had taken part in
desperate battle with the men, during
which more than twenty shots had been
exchanged and one of the thieves had been
wounded
The murderers escaped in a rig stolen from
John Herrold. They were tracked to
point six miles south of westville. where
they abandoned the horse and buggy. AS
the coaling station Of the Pennsylvania rail-
road is located but a short distance from
there. 1t is believed the men may have
been able to board a train, although they
were handicapped by having an injured
with them. The people wildly
cited over the affair, and should the men be
apprehended the officers would find 1t diff
cult to prevent 1ynching. The citizens
quickly subscribed purse Of $1,000. which
has been offered a reward for the ap-
prehension Of the murderers.
westville is located fourteen miles west
OF Laporte at the junction of the Monon
and Wabash railroads. Its only bank is
owned by Z. s. Smith. Several years ago
an unsuccessful attempt was made 70 rob
= the safe, and again last September foboers
forced open the rear door, but Will Punsky,
who then slept in the room, frightened them
away by shooting at them. Two months
ago Herrold's meat market, a few doors
away, was entered and the safe robbed
of several hundred dollars This made
young Reynolds job of sleeping in the
bank a hazardous one, but he felt safe
with three revolvers at his side. Several
days ago suspicious persons were seen
prowling around the town and Reynolds
was asked IL he did not want companion,
but he said he was not afraid, and would
give the robbers a warm reception should
they appear. His bravery cost him his life.
1t was between 2:30 and 2:40 o'clock this
morning that persons living near the bank
heard several shots, but one felt inter-
ested enough TO investigate. Shortly before
o'clock this morning Adolph Koontz
passed through the alley at the rear of the
bank and discovered that one of the win
dows was broken. Knowing that young
Reynolds slept in the room, he called to
him. but received no response.
Hurrying to Mr. Smiths home he in
formed him of the circumstances. The latter
at once went to the bank. only to find that
his clerk had been murdered In cold blood
The body was lying in a pool OF blood near
the bunk which the boy used, and at his
side lay an empty revolver. while partial
ly empty one lay the table IN front of
him. DR.. B. W. Hollenbeck, who was called
said the boy had been dead for hours. Sheriff
Small and Coroner Bowel were notified
had made an attempt to rob the bank, and
that after breaking into the place through
the window they had been surprised by
young Reynolds, who had probably called
out to them TO know what they wanted
Their answer had undoubtedly been volley
OF bullets. to which the boy had responded
More than twenty shots had been ex-
>changed In the desperate battle which then
occurred. bullet holes being found in the
walls and the curtains covering the goods
on the shelves.
Between the robbers and young REYNOLDS
who were not more than six feet apart
were two tables on which were overcoats
and boxes of underwear Powder marks on
the boxes and goods indicate the nearness
of the combatants. Owing to the dark
ness they had to guess as to the positions
OF each other, but the aim of the robbers
proved true. for young Reynolds, after
firing eight shots at the robbers, received
one bullet In the neck, which came
out between the shoulder blades;
another through his head. and a
third pierced his heart. Either of
the last two was fatal. Ten empty cart
ridges of 80 and Al calbre. found on the
floor behind counter show that the rob-
bers had reloaded their weapons during the
night. The thieves escaped through the
window in which they had entered, leav-
ing a trial of blood behind, which leads to
the belief that one of Reynolds's shots had
taken effect.
The safe had not been disturbed. the rob-
bers evidently fearing that the shots had
awakened the people. and that ii would not
be safe for them TO remain.
The discovery soon afterward that a
horse and surrey had been stolen from
John Herrold's barn. a short distance from
the bank. indicated the manner in which
the murderers had escaped The Hanna
bloodhounds were put on the trail and they
circled around for several miles. winding
up near Laporte. but the finding after
wards OF the exhausted horse six miles
south of westviIle showed that the hounds
were on the wrong scent The belief is
that there were three or four men In the
gang, for they took the trouble to obtain a
surrey when a single buggy would have
been easier. The officers found a lot of
ools which had been stolen from black
smith shop and from the Wabash Railroad
ht the rear OF the bank building.
Posses are tonight securing the country