Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-04-23
soBBERs ENTERED KANSAS BANK
IN DAYLicHT--HELD w
CASHIER.
LOCKED OFFICIALS in VAULT
Teok Al Money In Sight, Mounted
Horses and Rode South To-
ward Oklahoma Hills
unmolested.

OuckTyVhiC, 1AhMsD Apls To- VIZ AAAOA
entered the Citizens State bank at
Chautauqua, rs miles west Of Coffey.
vile at $3.50 Friday morning. and after
forcing Cashier @. G. Walterhouse and
Del. Easley, a business man, to enter
the vault, locked them in. secured all
the currency in sight, amounting to
about $4,000, and escaped into the
Usage hills across the line in Okla
homa. Four posses are In pursuit and
as the roads are muddy it is believed
the robbers will be captured. The
robbers secured but half an hours
start.
The robbery was one Of the most
daring ever executed in this part OF
Kansas, the scene Of many bold hold
ups on the part OF the Dalton, Starr
and other gangs of outlaws who from
time to time have made their rendez-
vous in the mountainous country Of
nearby Oklahoma.
Cashier Walterhouse had scarcely
opened the bank at Chautauqua Fri.
day morning and placed his currency
on the counter ready for the days
business when the two robbers en-
tered. The only other person in the
place was Del. Easley. The robbers
both Of them well dressed, entered and
made their way leisurely to the cash
ier's window. One of them was man
well known about town, and when
he commanded Walterhouse and Eas.
ley to throw up their hands, the latter
two took the matter in the light of q
joke. The serious intentions Of the
robbers was realized moment later,
however, when they both drew revolt
vers and pointing them at their vic
tins ordered them to get into the
vault. Without further ado Walter.
house and Easley both complied. The
robbers quickly slammed the door
shut, and then leisurely went about
their business of footing the bank.
First they drew down the window
shades facing the street and locked
the doors to prevent interference.
When they had scraped up all the
money In sight they walked out the
front entrance and up the main street.
One of the men carried gunny sack.
Several persons who knew the man
whom Walterhouse and Easley say is
"a well-known Chautauqua character,
spoke to him In friendly manner.
Nothing in the appearance Of the rob
bers betrayed the part they had Just
played. A block away they mounted
horses that they had tied at the curb
ing and drove Of. After going few
blocks from the center Of the town
they directed their horses south to-
ward the Oklahoma-Kansas state line
and whipped them into a gallop. The
robbery was not discovered till half
an hour later when J. H. Edwards,
president Of the bank, entered. After
releasing Walterhouse and Easley
from the vault, President Edwards
gave the alarm locally and to sur
rounding towns. Within another 30
minutes posses had been made up In
Chautauqua, and at Elkin and Sedan,
Kansas, and Pawhuska, Oklahoma, all
contiguous to the scene Of the robbery
and from three sides the armed men
began a hot chase after the robbers.
c. G.. Walterhouse, cashier Of the
bank, stated positively that one Of the
robbers was William Tenant. aged %
years, formerly Of Chautauqua, and
who recently escaped from Jail at
Nowata, Oklahoma, where he was be-
ing held on a charge Of horse stealing.
Tenant some time ago borrowed q
small sum Of money from the bank
and Mr.. Walterhouse said that when
he entered the bank Friday morning
he supposed he had come to renew
the note or take It up.