The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-10-23
STEAL $4,000
FROM A BANK
Masked Men Shatter S | 900
Safe at Viborg, S. D.,
and Get Contents.
ONE CITIZEN is HELD UP
NeIs Madsen Is Prevented at
Pistol Point From Giving
the Alarm.
ONE CITIZEN is HELD UF
ESCAPE ON A HAND CAR
Took Half a Dozen Explosions and the
Cracksmen Were Evidently Ex-
perts-Ring Brothers Own
ers of the Bank.

Viborg, S. D., Oct. 17.-With but one
toWnsman conscious that mischief was
being done and he compelled to be
silent at the cost of his life, three
masked robbers shattered the $1,000
safe of the Bank of Viborg at o'clock
Friday morning and stole 1000
Explosion followed explosion, and
when the robbers had taken the $4,000
In gold and silver coin and $1,000 in
currency which the safe contained they
ran to the section house, stole hand
EAR and started toward Irene, ten miles
away
Nels Madison, who sleeps in build
Ing adjoining the bank and who was
prevented from spreading the alarm by
The third robber, who, with revolver
drawn, patrolled the street in front,
aroused the town as soon as the burg
airs had gone. Madison, with f. L..
Larson and the section boss, took an
other handcar and gave chase, each
nan fully armed. They went as far as
irene, and discovered from the marks
On the frosty rails that the handcar
With the robbers aboard had gone
through there. They then returned
nome.
Robbers Are Seen.
This morning the stolen handcar was
found upset beside the railroad track
between Irene and Violin. The Great
Northern station agent at Violin reports
that very early this morning he saw
Two men hurrying across the country in
The direction Of Mission Hill. 1t is sup
posed the men We're intent upon reach
ing the Missouri river and crossing into
Nebraska. What became Of the third
man is not known, and it may be his
nome is not far away.
o,,1o re
armed with rifles and revolvers are
driving about the country today look
ing for suspicious characters, but little
aope is entertained that the miscreants
will be apprehended by them.
The Bank Of Niborg is owned by Ring
Bros, and A. H. Ring is cashier. He
reports that the institution carries in
iemnity insurance and that the loss
will be made good to them. 1t is eX-
pected the insurance company will in
stitute Il thorough search for the rob-
bers.
He Heard Them Pounding.
Nels Madison, sleeping near the bank
was aroused by the sound of pounding.
He went to his front window and saw
an armed man patrolling in front and
he could see the reflection of light in
the bank He realized at once that
| cracksmen were at work. There was
no way of getting out of his room ex-
cepting by the street door in front, and
that was to face the robber sentinel
Madison had no weapon and he hest
tated about a Sortie of this kind. He
decided to try a bluff and suddenly
threw up his window and demanded tC
know what was going on.
! Quick as flash he WAS blinking at the
muzzle of a revolver and a grulf voice
commanded him to hold up his hands
He did it and he also followed the
further instruction not to talk any more
or make noise
Madison stood there in the window
while five or six explosions shook the
earth. He thought others in the tow1
, must hear and soon the marauders
would be frightened off or caught. Bu1
no one came.
| Were Deliberate About It.
| After setting a charge Of nitrogly.
GERM, the robbers would step outside
! of the building and await the explo-
| sion. They were obliged to repeat this
| performance half dozen times, but a
no time did they appear alarmed les
they should be disturbed by citizens
Finally they got the money and with
parting warning to Madison fled.
| Investigation showed the safe to b,
total wreck. The men were certain
ly experts.
A week ago the clothing store of C
| M. Sorenson was robbed of $40 O
! money and nine watches, but it wa.
evidently the work of amateurs.
I seen lately and there is no good clu,
RI WORK ~,