Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1903-10-23
BOLD ATTEMPT TO ROB
People Of Newberg Terrorized by
Gang Of Bandits Who Attempt to
Blow Up Bank Vault.

A hold attempt to rob the Bank
Of Newberg was made by gang Of
bandits at an early hour Monday
morning. The building and steel
vault were bombarded with dyna-
mite for a period OF two hours,
while the terror7stricken citizens
were held at a distance by guards
armed with rifles. Though nine
charges were exploded, the steel
vault failed to give way, and the
robbers abandoned the job.
Tn order to prevent interruption
the outlaws placed guards at the
corners of the building and as peo-
pie, awakened by the explosions
and the ringing of the fire bell,
gathered at the scene, they were
terrorized by the guards. The fire
bell was rung by young man
named Austin, who heard the ex-
plosions. The robbers escaped on
horses, which they had in the out
skirts Of town, going in the direction
of Portland. The vault contained
probably $4,000.
At 3 o'clock the citizens of the
town were rudely awakened by a
series of muffled explosions, the
vigorous ringing Of the town fire
bell and occasional rifle reports.
Almost to man they turned out
to see what was the cause of the
disturbance, fearing that their
homes were ia danger from the fire
tiend. 1t was soon learned that
robbers had taken possession of
the bank, and the mob turned its
attention in that direction. By
the time the people reached the
scene, however, the bandits had
succeeded in getting away.
Persons in theimmediate vicinity
of the bank had been watching the
proceedings since shortly after mid
night, but covered by two men
4ritls 7sias-,s Aa2e;aA the
alarm. Occupants Of the bank
building were compelled to remain
in their quarters while the walls
threatened to 60 down with every
explosion, and they did not dare
venture to call for help, as such a
move might have meant instant
death. Belated residents return
ing to their homes were warned to
remain silent on the penalty Of
death and cowed into submission,
they obeyed the orders Of the
bandits. Isaac Vinson, a young
man who stays at the Newberg
Hotel, was somewhat belated in
getting in, and came along the
street at the time the work was 60
ing on. One Of the burglars on
guard roughly hailed him, "Get out
of this, you or I'll blow
your head off," and fired in his
his direction. Vinson "got" and
notified the people at the hotel.
Professor R. w. Kirk, principal
of the public school, lives across
the street from the bank and took
in the situation from the time Of
the first explosions. He says that
after preparing for each explosion,
the burglar who had it in charge
came out and carefully closed the
door behind him. After the last
attempt he heard one speak to
another, saying: "Come on, Bob, "
and they disappeared around the
rear of the building.
The safe crackers were evidently
professionals, and there is no clue
to their identity, and no reasonable
hope of their capture.
The steel chest was so battered
that it could not be opened until
an expert came from Portland.
Business of the bank was largely
suspended Monday.
The loss in the way of damage
to the building and the wrecking
of the safe is covered by insurance.
The bank also carried a good in
surance on its deposits.