The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-01-17
In The Village OF Utica Early
Friday Morning
Marshal Peet Is Interviewed
About The Affair
But Little Money In Post.
office At The Time

Felix Svatenko, the Hungarian ar
rested in Columbus on suspicion Of
being one Of the men who attempt
ed to rob the Utica postoffice early
Friday morning, was released from
Jail in Columbus Friday evening as 1t
was the belief of the authorities that
the man had nothing to do with the
robbery. Some carpenter tools were
the only thing found on the man
when searched in prison.
Night Watchman Peet Of Utica
went to Columbus Friday, but failed
to identify the foreigner as one of the
men connected in the attempt to bur-
glarize the Utica postofflce.
Marshal Interviewed
Marshal Wilbur Peet, in an inter-
view, said that he knew one of the
trio which gave him battle in Utica
and would recognize the other two if
he saw them. He said that the one
he recognized he had seen before but
could not tell exactly where, but that
he was a notorious and desperate
postoffice and bank robber, for whose
capture a large reward was offered.
He had also been notified by the
postoftice secret service authorities
that this man and his gang were COM
ing this way and that Utica might be
their destination, but the informa-
1ko xxyhA 20
them. That Is the reason that when
he heard them the first time he real
lied that he was up against desperate
men and accordingly took what he
thought to be the wisest and most
effective course for their capture.
Very Little Booty
Had the robbers succeeded in gain
ing an entrance into the postoffice,
they would have been i'll repaid for
the desperate chances taken by
them. Postmaster Hugh Bell said
that the sum total would have been
about $1.30 in one of the drawers. All
the other valuables, such as stamps,
blank money orders and cash had
been placed in the bank, as usual,
both bank and postoffice being in the
same block.
AS far as can be learned, there was
no attempt made to break into the
bank, as there was no evidence of vio-
lence of any kind. The bank, how
ever, probably looked too strong, and
they thought it would be easier to
get into the pstoffice.
Where Were the Police
The Newark Advocate in speaking
of the exciting pitched battle in New
ark between the police officer and the
Utica robbers has the following to
say about the Newark police:
"There has been considerable talk
about the streets concerning the
fact that Officer Ham Stewart was
sent alone to cope with three desper-
ate robbers this morning coming
from Utica.
"This is not exactly the case, as
Saptain Swank detailed six officers
| to guard the. approaches from Utica.
A couple of officers were in Hudson
avenue, 1t is said, but Stewart was
alone on North Fourth street. He
took his life in his hands when he
saw the buggy approach, and going
into the middle of the street de-
manded the surrender of the desper-
ADDE'S, who Immediately opened fire
on him.
where were the other officers? 1t
is thought by some of the police au-
thorities that some of those ordered
to the scene, went home to bed, as it
was almost time for them to go Off
duty anyway.
"Their whereabouts, however, will
be subject for inquiry by Safety
Director F. S. Scott at a session held
tonight, and If any such culpable der
ELECTION of duty he found, he states
the offenders will be dealt with ac-
cordingly, charges filed and severe
punishment will be meted out If the
men are found guilty.