Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-09-07

Milwaukee, Sept. "A daylight bank
robbery, for holiness unparalleled in
recent police annals, was perpetrated
at noon yesterday at the new Germania
National bank on West Water street.
The thief was captured in less than a
quarter of an hour after the robbery
and as soon as the rubbish heap into
which he had thrown his booty could
be searched, the money was recovered.
He got $500 in brand new $40 notes.
The money was returned to the bank
and within half an hour the institution
had recovered its equilibrium and bus
mess went on as before.
A few minutes after l o'clock a
stranger was observed standing near
the grating at the teller's wicker. Be
fore he could be waited upon there was
a telephone call for the teller. This
was answered by Assistant Cashier
Martin Groettinger, who was at the
window.
While he was absent in the tele-
phone booth the stranger was seen to
reach through the bars and seize a
package of money.
Alfred G.. Schultz, cashier of the
bank sat at his desk in plain view of
the window. He saw the young MN
seize Inc money and he gave the alarm.
Before the cashier and the other en-
ployes of the bank could realize what
had happened the bold robDer was cut
in the street running like a deer.
He made straight line for the al
ley which divides tue Barrett stores on
West Water street across from the
bank. Several followed him. One of
his pursuers was o. Bizette, an Italian
prize fign,er.
The thief was followed into the
basement of Barrett's store and there
was arrested by Detective Waterman.
He was dragged from beneath a pile of
rubbish under an o., stairway and was
taken to the station in the patrol
wagon.
Detective Peck searched the rubbish
after the robber was taken away and
$500 in currency was recovered. A
large revolver was also found.
At the police station the robber gave
his name as George Johnson. His
antecedents were not given. He is be-
lieved to be a weii-Known sneak thief.
The cry went out within a minute
after the robbery that the Germania
bank had been robbed. 1t was at an
hour when the street was thronged and
the crowd .--... gathered about the bank
had to be dispersed by the police.
BizeIte, who chased the thief across
the street and followed him into the
basement, claims he had a tussle with
the man while he was waiting for the
detectives. He says ne dragged the
man partly out OF the hole into which
he had crawled and after struggling
with him, placed his knees on the
mans chest and pinned his arms.
Alfred G. Schultz, the cashier of the !
bank, said: Il was at my desk when
the man came up to the window. When
the teller went TO the telephone, he
reached in and took bundle of money.
Until I saw the money moving out of
the window I thought he was making
a deposit. AS soon as / saw him take,i
the money yelled and gave the alarm.
4 believe il was a put up job. His
partner called the teller by telephone
to get him away from the window"
Martin Groettnger, assistant cashier,
who was films the teller's place at the
window. said: Il was in the telephone
booth when the money was taken. !
saw him run out of the door and the
others in the bank followed him."
The robber had a receipt for room
rent given by a Chicago boarding house /
keeper On this the name of Bailey
On the inside of his coat
was found a tailOr's mark and the
name Bailey also appeared.
The bold young bank rObber appears
70 be about p years of age. He was
well dressed when arrested, wore a
lisht felt hat. He lost this in the
chase. He wore lightweight summer
clothing and made quite a respectable I
He was taken before Inspector Rie-
mer shortly after his arrest and was
to a vigorous sweating pro-
cess. He was confronted with the evil I.
deHce of his crime. The wire with