The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-11-04
WOMEN IN BURGLAR BAND.
Farmers Wife Caught Red-Handed,
Shields Her Accomplices.

Logan, Ia, Oct 2s.-A gang of
women burglars dressed as men, In
trousers, shirts, top boots and hats,
and wearing black masks over their
faces, have been terrorizing the coun-
try around about Woodbine, ten miles
North of Logan.
Always searching for male robbers.
the officers, deputy sheriffs and de-
tectives who have been for months
working on the case were completely
baf1ed and it was only by chance the
surprising discovery was made that
instead Of the band of robbers being
composed of men its members were
women. One Of the members cap
tured, Mrs. Fred Lind, wife of a well
known farmer, has pleaded guilty,
accepted sentence of ten years in
the penitentiary, but fatty declines
to name accomplices.
When first placed in jail Mrs. Lind
still wore the disguise which made
her appearance that Of a man, but
later she appeared in court dressed as
a woman. However, the trousers,
coat and top boots worn by her when
captured were where the judge could
see them. She is only nineteen years
of age, rather tall, blond, has blue
eyes and is good looking
Just how many women there are In
the band is not known. Nor Is the
identity of any one other than the
one under arrest known to the au-
thorities. Mrs. Lind has not come
across with the name of single one
of her accomplices, and there are ru-
mors of oaths Of secrecy under pen
alties of the most dreadful nature
above the head OF any member of the
band who makes known the secrets
of the others.
For months Harrison county has
been ravaged by robbers. Country
stores were bun larized and large
quantities of goods taken. Farm
houses were robbed. Occasionally
stock raiser, en- route home from mar
ket after dark, was stopped and the
proceeds of his sales taken from him.
Soon it became evident that an Or
ganized band of robbers was operat-
ing in the county. Some times there
were ouly two of the robbers, at other
times there were half a dozen. OIL
GERS made every effort to capture the
robbers but their efforts we're without
avail.
Then, as with success the band
grew bolder, town residences and
stores in the heart Of the business
sections of the small cities we're visit
ed and robbed. Instead of taking
merchandise the robbers now con-
fided their efforts to cash and jewel
ry, taking only such articles as could
be easily carried and were OF good
value.
All sorts Of tracks could be secured.
Abundant clues were left behind, but
these traces and clues could never be
run down. Footprints in the mud be-
meath a window through which an
entrance had been made showed men
of normal size, and nothing was
gained from this by which the rob-
bers could be discovered.
w. D. Cromie owns the largest
store in Woodbine and sometimes has
a large amount of cash. on hand.
After the robberies became frequent
Cromie hired trusty man to sleep
in his store and was very careful not
to let this fact become known. Two
weeks ago this watchman was awak-
ened by a peculiar noise. At rear
window he heard low mutterings in
rather shrill voices.
Then came the sound of glass
cutter and one of the panes of glass
was neatly removed. Then through
the hole made by the removal Of the
glass leg was pushed. The watch
man waited in the store, his revolver
cooked in hand.
But, instead of using the gun, he
stole noiselessly forward and, just
when the body coming through the
window was in the most awkward
and helpless position, the watchman
grabbed both the legs and gave
jerk forward. Right through the
window came the body, and as it
struck the floor the watchman pin
ioned both arms over its head. A
wild shrek rang out. 1t was high
treble voice.
'It's a woman, gasped the watch
man.
The two robbers outside took to
their heels and disappeared in the
darkness.
The watchman dragged the prison
er to the light, tied her hands and
raised an alarm.
The prisoner was recognized as
Mrs. Fred Lind, despite her disguise.
This consisted of top boots, trousers,
a shirt, coat and hat, giving her all
the appearance of man. These ar
ticles proved to be her husbands
clothing, which she had altered to
fit herself. The boots were her hus-
bands, and while much too large for
her, she had wrapped her feet in
cloths to make them steady.
Mrs. Lind has not said single
word to implicate any other woman,
and the police have been unable to
note any suspicious actions on the
part of her acquaintances.
Charged With Wife-Murder.
Roanoke, Va, Oct 31.-Chief of
Police Raglan, of Petersburg, Va,
o-.;,,o5 bora $N from Tort n