The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-07-09
BANKERS
IN SAFE; STEALS
$780,; ESCAPES
Bandit, Believed to Be Hugh
Whitney, Robs Rigby State
Bank; Posse Is in
Pursuit.
CASHIERS BABY SON
CALLS AID TO FATHER
Robber Enters Bank After
Hours by Rear Door, Left
Open; Pursuers Expect
Battle Today.
Special TO The Tribune.

Special TO The Tribune
RIGBY, Idaho, July 8.-Fleeing
from mounted posse twenty miles
southeast of Rigby, lone bandit, sup
posed to be Hugh Whitney, who robbed
the State Bank of Rigby this after.
noon, after locking two of the officials
in the vault, is seeking to escape into
the Jackson s Hole country OF its yicin-
ity. Two years ago, following the hold
up Of all Oregon Short Line train and
the killing of the conductor, he was
chased into this difficult region, but
escaped. Since that time he has made
an occasional foray into Wyoming and
Idaho towns and has carried off con-
siderable plunder The robbery today.
if committed by him, is his biggest
coup since the holdup of the train.
Frank Ellsworth, cashier, and Clar-
ence Hart, assistant cashier, were work
ing In their shirt sleeves and chatting
idly when the bandit, effectually
masked, walked in upon them. He en-
tered by the rear door which had been
left open because of the intense heat.
The front door had been shut more
than two hours before, as it was then
5:25 p. m.
Makes Death Threats.
"Hoid up your hands," said the
bandit, as he covered the cashier and
the assistant cashier with two revol
vers. A fierce oath OF two and threats
to kill re-enforced his commands.
"Back up into the safe, quick" he
added, and the two men hurriedly re-
treated into the vault.
"Hand me out all the money you can
reach and be fast, or FIJI blow your
heads OFF, he said with vicious
flourish Of the repolpers. The cashier
and his assistant passed out gold and
bills amounting to about $4,000, After
filling his pockets and saddlebags, the
bandit locked the safe and departed.
A few minutes later the 5-year. old
son Of the cashier toddled into the
bank and called for "papa.' - The Of
ticials heard the boyish voice as a faint
whisper and began to shout Justify.
The child dinly understood the situa'
ton and ran out of the bank crying for
help, Soon number of citizens had
entered the bank and released the i'm
prisoned men.
Rides a Gray Horse.
The bandit, who is described as Of
dark complexion with pock marks on
his face, was seen by several persons
as he rode away from the bank on a
gray horse, but his departure was SO
quiet that it aroused no suspicion. His
mask, which he cast aside as soon as
he left the hank, was found few min
utes after the officials had been freed.
The route Of the bandit as he left the
town was traced to the east.
Sheriff Harrop, who was On q train
going south at the time Of the robbery,
was reached by telegram and stopped
at Rexburg. He Immediately returned
! to Rigby and organized posse which
| dashed away to the southeast In auto
mobiles,
Battle Is Expected.
The robber went east about three
| miles, crossed what is called the "dry
bed +" at tho island three miles further
and then started south to the Willow
| Creek hill. the same trail that Hugh
| Whitney took when he passed through
| this country two years ago.
Those who saw the robber, who evil
IDENTIFY was alone, declare that the de-
scriptiou tallies exactly with that Of
Hugh Whitney.
The last information Of him was OBJ
tanned by the sheriff, who was in
George e. Hill IS automobile, where the
bandit passed the Heath ranch on vii.
| low creek, seven miles southeast Of
Rieby. He reached the hill at dusk.
The party then returned TO town and
organized posse to go out on horse
back and they intend riding out on the
east side Of Willow creek to the yicin~
ity Of He'll creek. where they hope to
intercept the robber tomorrow morn
ing.
The robber is evidently making to-
ward Soda Springs or the Cokeville
country.
The bank balanced its cash and
found that the bandit obtained s3S0b,
which WAS all in currency and gold.
The sheriff hopes to catch up with
the outlaw by tomorrow afternoon at
the latest and if he does battle is
lcertain.