Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-05-12
YEGGMEN IN MOTOR CARS.
One Hundred Country Banks Robbed
Since Last Fall.

Since last October 100 country banks
in Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska
have been robbed. In each instance
from $1,000 to $1,000 was taken and
practically the same procedure was
followed in every case, says an Abi-
lene, Kan, correspondent.
In the three states named are ap-
proximately $500 banks, 1000 of them
in little towns and villages with prac-
tically no police protection. This Is
the usual programme in the cases re-
ported: z-.---- --....-..-.. ... s
Along after midnight the residents
are aroused by two or three explo-
sions. Those daring enough to ven-
ture on the streets see an automobile
standing in front Of the bank and two
men with guns giving orders to stand
back. Inside are their companions
filling sacks with money from the safe
Having gathered all the cash possible
the burglars enter the machine, fire a
few intimidating shots and go racing
out of town.
The come the gathering Of posse
the cranking up of cars and a des-
perate attempt to follow and capture
the robbers. In no instance has there
been a capture. Governors have is
sued proclamations, legislatures and
bankers associations have increased
rewards for the robbers dead or alive
but the robberies continue.
At one time it was asserted that the
rendezvous of the burglars was in Me-
braska, where in a county near the
line the officers were too intimidated
or too venal to arrest the gang. Some
outside officers went there and made
arrests, but the prisoners proved an
alibi and the mystery is as deep as
ever. Sometimes several weeks go by
without a robbery, then there will be
two or three in a single night.
The automobile is blamed for much
of this crime. Said an officer who has
been in two pursuing parties, both un-
successful in securing even a trace OF
the yeggmen:
Before the coming of the motor car
we could overhald this class of crimi-
nails. They went on horseback and
there was little difficulty in covering
the country by telephone and heading
them off.
Now the country is alive with par
ties making cross-state runs and no
more attention is paid to a strange
car than to a freight train. With a
high powered car it is easy on the
prairie roads to cover 100 miles in three
hours. Then with a change of outer
clothing to give the appearance OF
tourists the robbers can motor leis-
urely through the most populous cities
and put up at the first-class hotels
without arousing suspicion.
1T is practically impossible for the
pursuers to follow them because the
route taken is unknown and the rapid
progress Of the robbers puts them out
of reach"
Inc unprotected nature VI llC SOui
try bank is a temptation to the yegg-
men of the prairies. Generally it is in
little frame building on dark street
1t is easy to enter and the safes are
small. There are few strong vaults
and the banks are left unmatched
through the night.
The town constable may be abroad
but what can he do in the face OF
we'll armed company of intruders?
More than likely he is down at the
railroad station swapping yarns with
the night operator and he is not wor-
rying about anything more serious
than the possibility of a hobo's catch
ing a ride on the blind baggage. The
chances are that he knows nothing
more of the doings at the bank than
does the cashier sleeping soundly a
quarter of a mile away until it is too
In