davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-04
A Banker Hires Us to Rob

| was amazed at the bold ingenuity Of
this plan and the matter-offact way in
which he presented it to me. This was
the first ! had ever heard OF bank being
robbed by request of one of its officials.
Later came to know that it Is not an
uncommon thing for dishonest presidents
and cashiers to conceal their thefts by
hiring robbers to break into their banks
The difference between what is actually
taken in one of these robberies by request
and what the police and the newspapers
say is taken covers the amount which the
embezzling official has lost in Wall Street
or some other speculation.
At that time such an idea was so new
to ME that all sorts of suspicious crowded
into my mind. Probably 1t was trap for
me. thought. and positively declined to
have anything to do with It,
But the old banker would not take no
for an answer He urged me to think 1t
over, and week later he called again.
BY this time the fear of the disgrace
which threatened him and his family had
made him a nervous wreck. He begged
SO piteously for me 10 help him save his
good name that my womanly sympathies
got the better of me, and l finally con.
scented.
All my feeling for him, however, did not
quite free my mind Of the fear that the
whole affair might be trick. and deter
mined to protect myself and the robbers
who would assist me with all the shrewd.
ness I could.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-04

regularly in setting OF mort
brick. This made our task third
longer than We had expected.
Late one afternoon George
cleared away space which left
thin layer of lath and plaster bet,
and the inside of the vault.
There was too much danger or {
ing ho.e we had dug under the vi
being discovered to admit OF any
delay. We made our arrangement
the bank that very night
While the rest OF the town wa
to bed we waited impatiently fue
get late enough for US to lay ouit
on the $4,000 which | had everyH
TO believe was waiting below thu
layer of lath and plaster. Luckily
the banks Waterman was at q CT
ing party that evening and was mol
to return until the wee small hours
prevented the necessity of my reI
on guard outside.
Shortly after midnight we dur1f
our lamps and lighted our dark ID
peered out OF the window-the
were deserted.
George Mason took a small sIed5p
mer and with one or two we'll b.
blows opened up the hole in I'D
wide enough TO admit his body. 1J
tied one end Of long rope uni
arms and we lowered him down d
vault.
My Comrades Narrow E
To the best OF my knowledge !
lief the cash which had been p{
would be found right on the she
the vault. and all George would /
do would be to stuff 1t into his +
and climb back up the way he ha
But whether through intent or s.
sight on the presidents part, that
the case. For several minutes we
breathlessly listening to George as
bled around the vault by the lighE
dark lantern. Then we heard hind
hoarse whisper:
Sophie, It's just as was afraid &
be. Every cent of the money is 10
in the small steel safe. I'll have +
back up and get my tools"
II Is the custom In big bank VI
have a small and separate steel
put the actual cash into. Leased
ments, account books and something
and stock certificates are kept in.
vault, but money and things OF
value are usually locked up in th&
steel compartment
With some difficulty we haul
back UP. From his bag he selef
drills he thought he would need aH
a bottle poured out what seemed
an extra generous quantity OF
powder.
BE careful and not use too Il
that stuff" called AS he disa
again through the hole. Ned
said that was your worst failing.
Don't you worry, Sophie" he y
lit will take good big dose to ou.
safe"
For several minutes we sat there
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-04
Sophie Lyons-the Queen of the Burglars"

from bank president What on earth
could the president OF a bank want OF a
bank robber?
81 understand that you are one OF the
most successful bank robbers in America"
he said without any delay in coming to the
point Il want your advice in little
undertaking ! have in mind, and, II DOS.
sibie. your help"
My advice and help" I exclaimed,
thinking the man must be out OF his head.
That's exactly what | want" he re-
piled coolly. II want you to tell me how
l can have my bank robbed, and. il pos
sible, want you to take charge OF the
robbery yourself"
AS he explained, he was more than
$4,000 short in his accounts. He had
taken this amount from the bank within
the past year and lost every dollar Of it
in speculation. He could not return this
money and it was only matter Of n few
weeks before his embezzlement would be
discovered.
Being man OF prominence in his COM
munity-a deacon in the church. his wife
society leader, his children in college
running away was out of the question
For months he had been racking his brain
for some way OF avertng the ruin which
he had brought upon himself
The plan he had finally devised for re-
tanning his good name and keeping out of
prison was to have his bank robbed On
the night of the robbery he would leave
$4,000 in the vault TO pay the robbers for
their trouble. but when he came to an.
nounce the robbery to the police and the
newspapers he would declare that $500, 900
had been taken
In this way his thefts would be covered
up and he could continue to enjoy the
respect and confidence Of the community
where he had always lived
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-04
No. 5 of Series of Extraordinary Revelations
Written by SOPHIE LYONS
The Most Famous
Has Now Accumulated

we must have written agreement I
said at the very start
The banker objected to this, fearing. I
suppose that might use the paper against
him later for blackmail. But insisted
that would not do thing until had st.
III cou can't trust me to that extent,
can't trust you" ! said frmly-and at last
he told me TO draw up the paper and he
would sign it
According to the contract which I pre-
pared the banker paid five thousand dol.
lars down and was to pay me an equal
amount as soon as I had completed nv
arrangements and set the date for the rob-
berry. He further agreed that there should
be at least $4,000 in cash in the bank
vault on the night of our visit
II was further provided that the banker
should cooperate with me and my fellow
robbers in every possible way. and that
he should do nothing 10 aid in our arrest
or conviction for the crime, which. as was
expressly stated. was committed ut his
suggestion and not ours In case the rob.
berry was interrupted before we could get
inside the vault the banker was to pay us
$4,000 In cash In addition TO the $40 900
already advanced.
agreed to leave no stone unturned to
carry out the robbery and promised to re.
turn the agreement to the banker as soon
as all Its provisions had been fulfilled
All this set down on paper in as bust.
bOSoihe way db j knew now. II was
document which would have made the
poor old bankers ruin even greater than
his thievings had done II had been the
sort OF woman to break faith with him.
With trembling fingers he signed 1t and
counted out $1,000 in bills
From the banker had gained a good
idea OF the bank and the sort of vault we
would have to enter. Now to get some
GOOD reliable men TO help me do the lob
OF all the bank burglars in my acquaint-
ance George Mason seemed best fitted
for this particular crime. He was a cool,
resourceful fellow and had had wide expe-
rience in blowing open bank vaults.
George readily agreed to join me, and
for the rest of the party he recommended
two younger men-Tom Smith and Frank
Jones. ] will call them, although those
were not their names. do not like to
reveal their identity here because they
later reformed and led honest lives.
Right here let me say that never told
these three men of my arrangements with
the banker or that was to receive from
him $4,000 in addition TO what we ex.
pected to find in the vault. II they are
alive today and read these lines they will
learn here for the first time that the bank
In Quincy. Ill.,, which they helped Sophie
Lyons rob was robbed by request of its
president.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-04

no move to obey. Instead he only ran all
the faster. launching his head down be-
tween his shoulders and zigzagging back
and forth across the road as if to make his
bulky form less favorable target
The old farmer raised his rifle as DELHI
erately as if he had been aiming at
squirrel instead of fellow man. Three
shots blazed out in rapid succession.
The first shot went wild At the second
my husband stumbled. At the third he
threw up his hands and pitched forward
headlong in the road
We've got him!" the crowd shouted
with what seemed 10 me hendish glee and
rushed up TO where Neds body Law in
quivering bloody heap.
] supposed he was dead but whether
dead or alive knew there was nothing
could do to aid him. Nervous and trem-
bling at the awful sight had seen.
slipped out Of town unnoticed.
What Came of Our Crimes
saw nothing of George Mason and for
months afterward did not know how he
had escaped. With better judgment than
my husband showed. he had remained
quietly in the store after the outcry started
He saw the shooting, and in the confusion
which followed he found little difficulty
In getting out of town
Friends OF mine in New London aided
me to return to The hospital in Hartford,
where Ned had been taken after the shoot
ing. His recovery was slow, for there was
a bullet imbedded nine inches deep in MS
back which the surgeons were unable to
remove. AS soon as he was able to stand
trial he was sentenced to three years In
State prison, and when he had completed
this term he was given three years in
Massachusetts for the robbery at Palmer.
This was the result of our crimes in New
England-my husband nearly killed and
sentenced to six long years in prison. Can
you wonder why have learned the lesson
that crime does not nay?
But, to my sorrow. did not learn the
lesson then-no, not for many years after
that. With my husband in prison the sup
port OF my little ores fell wholly on my
shoulders. and | promptly turned to bank
robbing as the easiest way knew OF
making a living
MY early training under such expert
bank robbers as Ned Lyons, Mark Shin
burn and Harry Raymond made me ex-
traordinarily successful in this variety Of
crime. The cleverest men in the bust
meas began to have respect for nv iudg-
ment and were continually inviting me to
take an important part in their risky but
very profitable ventures. Soon. az / am
going 40 tel! you, my reputation for skill
In organizing the most daring robberies
and carrying them through without detec-
ton had spread even beyond the limits Of
the underworld.
One day when was trying to enjoy the
novel experience OF living honestly for a
few weeks. distinguished looking gentle.
man called at my home. He saw my look
OF incrcdulity when he announced himself
an a bank president and promptly pro-
duced heavy engraved card which con-
frned the truth OF his statement
Instantly was on my guard. In those
days my h0use was the headquarters for
all sorts OF strange persons-receivers OF
stoIen goods. professional bondsmen, Grim.
inai lawyers. escaped prisoners-but I had
ncyer before been honored by a visit
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
TNCENDIARY FIRES SHOW
DECREASE IN NEW YORK

New York. N Y, Jan. 21.-With the
grand jury. the district attorney and
the fire commissioner at the heels OF
the fire bugs and others comprising
New York's arson trust" the number
of incendiary fires kindled in the city
has fallen from 81 per week in Janu-
airy. 1912, to 81 a week this year, &C
missioner today. The total number OF
fires in the city shows a still more
marked decrease, from 326 week lass
January to 147 in 1913.
When the grand jury resumed Its
session today, further indictments
against alleged members Of the trust
were expected. Five indictments charg-
ing arson have already been found
sgzzv the Painter" whose confession
has led to most of the disclosures, con-
tinued his story before the grand jury.
He has been telling it for five days.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
Of the Typographical union, was select

of the Typographical union, was select
ed to deliver the address,
The election of officers for the Central
union VIII be held Monday evening at
the labor hall. Two tickets VIII be pre-
sented and VIII be backed by the 1--WE
factions of the organization
Speaking of his announcement not TO
be a candidate for reelection secretary
q. N Walker said:
SThe labor movement is stronger and
better united in e. PasO at this time
than ever before. There are about 20
different unions represented in the Cen
tral Labor union. 1t is affiliated with
the American Federation Of Labor and
the Texas State Federation of Labor; it
also holds membership In the chamber of
commerce and is represented IN the Pas
tors union.
''The semi-annual election Of officers
Of the Central Labor union viii take
place next Monday night at Union Labor
hall. My duties as secretary treasurer,
hall manager, delegate to the Pastors
union, and as representative to the
chamber of commerce, compel sacrifices
that at this tim I am not justified in
making. My term of office expires on
January q, and this announcement was
made IN advance IN order that the dele
gates might know 1t IN time 10 think
about my successor
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
WILSON SEEKS TO
ABOLISH TRUSTS
Seven Bills Are Introduced in the New
Jersey Legislature to Revise
the COrnoroffon Laws

Trenton, N J., Jan. 21.-President-
elect Wilson has reached what he con-
reform as governor of New Jersey.
Seven bills making for the most ex-
tenSiYe revision of the corporation
laws in the history Of the state were
introduced last night IN the state
legislature.
These acts are designed to put an
end to trust and imOnOpOlieS under the
laws Of New Jersey declared governor
ing the measures, land predict con-
hdenuy that they Will accomplish that
much desired result"
Though the principle Of the bills
which seek to prevent monopoly, IN
der-SeIling in local markets, mergers,
the existence Of holding companies, and
the issuance of water stock, IS one
which the governor emphasized re-
peatedly in the national campaign, he
declared that the proposed legislation
had been drawn with the conditions IN
the state of New jersey alone in mind.
The feature OF the bills that attracted
most attention was the provision max
ing violations Of the proposed law a
misdemeanor punishable by impr1Son-
ment as well as by fines It was pointed
out in the statement issued from the
governors office however. that while
mergers ana consultations are pro
hibited in general, the proposed laws
do not intend to prevent the leg1u-
mate expansion OF a business concern
by the purchase Of property "cOgnate-"
Among the larger commissions char
tered under New Jersey laws are the
United States Steel corporation, the
Standard Oil company, the American
Tobacco company, the American Sugar
Refining company, the international
company, the Amalgamated
Copper company, the United States
Leather company, and the Rock Island
railroad company.
President-elect Wilson announced
this afternoon that he would not re-
linquish his office as governor Of New
Jersey until March 3. the day he leaves !
here for his inauguration
When governor Wilson leave to be |
come president Of the United States ne |
will not travel in private car, nor will |
any member of his family. He said !
that. he expected to make only his /
ordinary travelling arrangements.
The 1000 Princeton students who are |
to march in the inaugural parade viii |
have their special cars attached to /
the same train, SO as to escort the !
former president Of their university 4
into the national capital and give him /
a Princeton cheer when he arrives !
there.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
DISAPPEAR;
WHITES ARM SELVES

Cortez, Colo, Jan 21.-WithOut leav-
ing anv trace of their whereabouts, the
band of so Ute indians who left the Ute
reservation Saturday rather than de-
liver one of their tribesmen, Big Rabbit,
to the civil authorities and the indian
agent, have left their stronghold IN the
Ute mountains. John Spears, the indian
agent, declares he does not know where
the indians have gone, whether back to
the reservation or further into the range.
If the indians are on the reservation,
however, they have not been located and
are in hiding.
So threatening has the attitude of the
Utes become that the white citizens of
southwestern Colorado, IN the imme-
date vicinity of the reservation, have
armed themselves and are momentarily
looking for a desperate outbreak. The
Utes who have remained on the reserva-
ton are becoming greatly excited, and
it is believed they are arming themselves.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
ELKS EXPECT BAILEY
AND READ TO COME

Efforts are to be made by the Ell Paso
lodge of EIzs to induce senator JOS W.
Bailey and Opie Read, the novelist, to
come to Ell Paso and lecture on Wash
ington's birthday, at the Ell1s' dinner,
which IS to be given at the Paso del
Norte hotel that night.
The former viii speak on @Our Coun-
try" and the latter viii deliver his lee
ture on "Our Order" Both are mem
bers Of the Elks.
The committee appointed to arrange
for the big dinner, which it is proposed
to make an annual affair, is composed of
Y. R. Stiles, Roy Barnum and J. d. Pom
der. The dinner Is to cost IS plate.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
CHICAGO POLICE SEARCH
FOR SLAYER OF DETECTIVE

Chicago Ill, Jan. 21.-Frank Nadia
owner Of the Michigan avenue garage
which was used as headquarters Of the
automobile bandits, surrendered today,
while the police force continued its
search for Robert Webb, who yester-
day shot and killed detective Peter
Hart. Nadia, who is said 10 have
acted as the agent of the robbers in
dispOsing Of stolen property told the
police that on one occasion he pur-
chased six diamond rings from James
B. Perry, confessed leader Of the gang,
for which he paid him S65 Later he
purchased a gold watch from him for
"a.
the officers own revolver. Webb made
his fourth escape in II days. He was
one Of the motor crew that shot po-
licemen Frederick Sticken on Jan. g.
On Jan Il he jumped from a window
and eluded the police.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
HELEN GOULD REHEARSES
HER WEBBING CEREHFOY

TarrytoWn, N Y, Jan. 21.-Afiss
Helen Gould and Finley ]. Shepard
whom she viii marry tomorrow at 1870
o'clock, today rehearsed their wedding
at her home. The Rev. Daniel Russell,
pastor Of the IrYington Presbyterian
church, who viii PERFORM the ceremony
prompted them in their replies and in
structed the attendants in the roles
which they will play.
These included Louis J. Shepard
brother Of the bridegroom be. as best
man; and Miss Gould's little nieces,
Helen and Dorothy, daughters of Frank
Gould, who viii be flower girls and the
brides only attendants
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
AUTO WRECKS POST;
SCATTERS THE MAIL

Miss Ailene Berg Is the first woman
mail carrier on record IN Ell Paso. Her
automobile Tuesday morning collided
with a mail post at Montana street and
Mesa avenue, demolishing d rear wheel
of the touring car and scattering the
mail over the sidewalk.
Miss Berg promptly picked up the let
ters and carried them down to postmas-
ter Smith, thereby proving the first fe
male mail carrier on local record The
accident occurred when Miss Berg, who
was driving down Montana, made
sharp turn to avoid a runabout which
was running at high speed down Mesa.
The other car escaped injury, while Miss
Berg's heavier motor crashed into the
mail box.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
WALKER RESIGNS
AS UNION SECRETARY
Says Press Of Other Duties Prevents
Continuing the WoIk-BaTtlett
Seated as Delegate.


Continuing the WoIk-BaItlett
Seated as Delegate.
AZ the meeting Of the Central Labor
union Monday night d. NJ Walker, sec
rotary and treasurer of the body, an
nounced that he would not be a candi-
date for reelection, givinO as his reasons
that he had too much to do, with his
other union. efforts, In addition to the
work on the Texas Union, the official
paper Of the unions, and his printing
office.
At the same meeting Ted Bartlett,
city building inspector, was seated as a
delegate from the brieklayers' union,
after some of the delegates had protest
ed against his being seated, 1t is said,
on the ground that he is neither actively
engaged in the interests of the labor
unions nor working at his trade. Bart
lett was seated Monday night pending a
decision ID his case, which has been ap-
pealed to president Samuel Gompers OF
the American Federation Of Labor. Del
egates from the printers union, the
horseshOers', painters and blacksmiths'
unions were also seated. A request from
the pastors union was read. asking that
2 speaker be assigned to this union at
It's meeting on February 10 to speak
on the subject: "Ihe contribution Of
labor IN building a city, ". G. Griffin,
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
BURGLAR TAKES ALL
EXCEPT BLACKS VEST
Victim of Thief ATvakes to Find He
Has No Clothes to Put On; Other
BnrgIaries Are Reported.

Victim of Thief AWakes to Find He
Has No Clothes to Put On; Other
BurgIaries Are Reported.
When W. A. Black, who Monday night
occupied a room in a rOoming house on
East Overland street, rose TO dress
Tuesday morning, he found only his
vest and a railroad ticket After nOti-
flying the detectives, he went back to
bed and waited for clothes and devel-
opments in the case. The former were
secured for him by detectives. Accord
ing to the detectives, a burglar some
time Monday night entered the mans
room, carrying away his clothes and
whatever money he possessed
William Allison, a negro, was a Wis
itor at the detectives office Tuesday
morning. He claimed that his room, at
the brewery garden. on Alameda ave-
nue., was entered and several razors and
shirts were taken. Jose Duran, who
said that he was at that place Monday.
stated that a suitcase containing $40
and some of his clothes, had been taken
The soldiers in that vicinity caught
Joe Becker and W. N Wright. two ne
groes. and they are being held at the
police station in connection with the
case Duran's suitcase containing his
clothes, was recovered following the
arrest Of the men, but the $40 is still
missing.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
WOMAN LEGISLATOR DIES
FROM NERVOUS PROSTR

Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 21-Mrs.
Edith Ellerbeck Read, member Of the
lower house of the. Utah legislature,
died from nervous prostration. She
was elected on the Republican ticket
at the last election and her condition
became critical following an exciting
campaign.
Mrs. Read graduated from Leland
Stanford university, where she took a
prominent part in literary and dra-
matte work.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
DEATHS AND BURIALs
COEDE LEROY RAGUET.

Condo Leroy Racquet, 80 years Old.
died at the home of his mother, Mrs
G. G. Racquet, go New Orleans street
in Highland Park, Sunday. He had
Tired here six years. Sunday evening
his mother, and his sister, Mrs. Chas.
port, Ia, for fnterment Besides these
two relatives, he leaves his father in
Davenport, and a brother. e c. Racquet
an ensign in the United States navy,
now stationed on the Montgomery, at
Jacksonville. Ella.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
BARROW DEFENCE GAINS
POINT nN CnTrRm

Los Angeles. Calf, Jan. 21.-Five
tentative jurors have been selected to
Try Clarence S. Darrow. Judge Conley
held that no talesman holding any bias
against labor unionism or against
DarrOW himself for his connection with
laDor cases might sit in the case, even
tnough convinced Of his ability to give
the defendant an impartial trial The
ruling IS considered a point gained by
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-21
COLORADO SOLON WANTS
ONE DAY OF REST I

Denver, Colo, Jan. 21-Memorial ex-
ercises to the late B. F. Montgomery,
elected lieutenant governor last Noyem-
Der, but who died before inaugurated,
will be held by the general IDLY
in joint session Jan p, under a joint
resolution adopted today. Representa-
tive Persons introduced a bill in the
house providing one day Of rest in
seven