The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-06-21
NEAT SUM TAKEN FROM BOX
Sam Hyde Proves Himself Hero;
Spied the Deed.
ARE ARRESTED AT ST. JAMES
Thieves Removed To County Jail at
Window Where They Are In
der Lock and Key.
From Saturdays Daily.

From Saturdays Daily.
Yeooemen Cracked" the safe of the
First State bank at Bingham Lake dur
inc the early hours of this morning and
relieved the strong box of Il sum some
where between $500 and $500. They
deposited between 5000 and $1,000 of
the money in their grips and boarding
IA train for Mankato were intent on
making their escape, but their plans
were frustrated by the aid of Conductor
Weber and the operator at Bingham
Lake. Also Sam Hyde of Bingham
Lake played a prominent part.
How Trick Was Turned.
The two strangers reached Bingham
Lake late last night and at about l:3O
o'clock this morning they robbed the
bank They first went to the black
smith shop of Fred Winkler where they
secured drills, hammers, crowbars and
other tools necessary to "turnn the trick"
They entered the bank building through
"a side window. This they pried open
easily by using a crOwbar. The outer
door of the vault was forced open by
l'.blowing" the combination. The inside
vault door was pried open. The outer
door of the safe proper was blown open.
The combination of the safe was work
ed' and the money chest, two by three
feet, was wrecked by an explosion OF
nitro glycerine. The robbers secured IA
quantity of cash and escaped.
Sam Hyde Watched Operations.
The first explosion awakened Sam
Hyde, who lives not far from the bank.
He hastily dressed and went out on the
street He realized at once that the
bank was being robbed and from behind
a tmeshing machine he watched the
operations of the robbers, who worked
on little believing that sharp eyes were
on them. MIR. Hyde saw two of the
four explosions. He dared not, make an
attack on the robbers, but he did go
and awaken John Henderson, president
of the bank, and informed him of what
had taken place at. his bank. :! Mr.. Hen
lderson and several others who had been
aroused proceeded to the Omaha depot
and notified the. operator, of the rob
berry and to observe carefully what per-
y sn6soranrstgers 90. MgShgaaby shrdl
sons or strangers left town by train.
Robber Buys Ticket to Mankato.
i Later a. stranger entered the depot
and purchased ticket to Mankato. His
hat was pulled down over his eyes and
he acted in suspicious manner. When
the trains from the north and south
pulled into the station, the man who
had purchased transportation to Man
kato boarded the north bound train. His
pal, in an attempt to throw people of
the scent. got aboard the south bound
train, but jumped off after the train had
moved away from the station He
quickly boarded the train for MankatO
and was soon engaged in conversation
with his partner.
Conductor Weber Is WISE
The operator notified Conductor Web
Der of what had occurred and requested
him to keep an eye on the fellow who
had bought MankatO transportation
!, Mr. Webher located the couple and
5 fearing that they would attempt to es-
cape at one of the way stations, he run
, his train to st. James. Meanwhile Off
Ger Sundberg of st. James had been in
! structed to be at the train and arrest
the two alleged robbers. He secured his
prey without any difficulty.
Checked Grips to MankatO.
The grips containing between 5000
l and $1,000 were checked to Mankato
r but did not reach here, having beer
stopped at Lake Crystal, following the
7 arrest of the two men at st. James
The grips. were returned to st. James
as soon as possible. The grips contain
ed besides the money number OF
tools used in robbing safes.
The prisoners were locked up in jail at
e st. James and this afternoon were tax
| en- to Window where they are now con
| fined in the Cottonwood county jail
Sheriff Severson and Cashier Benson OF
e the Bingham Lake bank acted as, escort
$ from st. James to Window.
e The damage done to the bank is not
e great The vault door and castings are
damaged and one window was broken
The robbers secured crowbarN from the
e section house at Bingham Lake.
e Men Are Silent.
e Both men maintain silence, but the
e evidence against them is said to be very
e strong. Its cinch," said Sheriff For
n syth today. One of the prisoners gave
e err as White. They declined to Civ,
n their residence. Both are young men
d one of them quite large and the othe
), a small man.
It They did not resist arrest. Both car
I ried guns, and Chester attempted tt
d kick his gun under the seat as the Off
d Ger was about to arrest him.
Chester and White are believed t,
Ii have been in Mankato on Wednesday
/ Both are well dressed and do not lool
IL like criminals. but at that they woult
n attract attention.
/ Went Out of St. James.
e Chester and White were in st. Jane
It last night and went from that town t.
e Bingham Lake on one of the late trains
e Stephen Sieberg, who travels for tn
g Rosenberoer & Currier candy factory
e was on the train when the arrests wer
e made. The men were seated in the from
end of the smoking car and when Off
Ger Sundberg and his posse entered the.
were hardly prepared for the reception
: being under the impression that the
L were safe in their flight. The officers