New-York tribune., 1918-12-14
Desperadoes Escape After
Staying Teller and As
sistant Trea rer
Detective Is Shot
AS Robbers Flee
Interior Of Old Savings
Institutions Is Riddled
With Revolver Bullets

The East Brooklyn Savings Bank, on
the northeast corner of Myrtle and
franklin Avenues, was droning along
through the last hour of business yes
terday afternoon when two men en-
tered and looked casually around the
long, narrow chamber. Under the glow
Of the electric lights, for the day was
wet and dark, q half dozen customers
we're ranged in front OF the long wall
Of stone and wire behind which the
tellers stood. On the other side of this
wall some ten employees of the bank
we're busy at desk and counter.
The taller Of the strangers, who wore
3 dust colored raincoat and what ap-
peared to be an army campaign hat,
drew an envelope from his pocket His
stockier companion also produced one
and they appeared to hold a conference
over them. Then the short man strolled
toward the rear of the bank, while the
other slouched over to the paying tel
'-sler'ss window, behind which sat De Pit,
C. Peal.
Two Bank Officials Killed
The clock on the banks wall pointed
to 2:20. Before its longer hand had
swung through three more minutes a
pistol had spoken six times. Peal lay
dead and Henry w. Coons, assistant
treasurer, lay dying on the floor, and
the two Indifferent visitors of an in
slant before We're fleeing, gun in hand
down Myrtle Avenue toward where a
black and white taxicab waited for
them at the corner of Kent Avenue.
With them they carried satchel
containing S1S,112.S5, chiefly in one
fye ten and twenty-dollar bills. AS
they reached the cab they shot down
Detective Albert Doody, who tried to
halt them, leaped into the machine
and escaped
The East Brooklyn Savings Bank oc-
cuples a three-story brick building
numbered 642 Myrtle Avenue. 1t is one
OF the OLD establishments of the city,
ahd the structure in which it is housed
was built in 1870. The room in which
tne active work of banking is conduct
ed Is 81 feet long by % wide, and is
oiSected longitudinarlly by the cage
Dehlnd which the tellers stand.
Lounged Near Window
fesls window was almost directly to
'ne right Of the entrance to the build
ing. Halfway down the room there is
al opening in the dividing partition
aooat eighteen inches high and four
1ee' WIDE at which applications for the
opening OF accounts are received. Still
tufVAer along at the other end of the
'hamper door of heavy steel bars
'oNnects the employees and customers
s'oes OF the banking room.
The tall man lounged in front of the
wihoow, loosening his drab raincoat
uelloerately, while he watched his
s'oeHy companion traverse the entire
'eagth o. the chamber and approach
hls connecting door. Then apparently
some signal was exchanged, for the air
VI incidence dropped from the man who
stood in front of the paying teller's
Window.
Suddenly there was a gun in his
nand' and Peal. looking up from his
"crk, gazed down the barrel and into
'"o stern eyesm behind it.
Told to Put Up Hand
fut EN- up" the robber rasped out
"u' Peal, amazed, only stared
meanwhile. from the other end OF
'ne room there arose rafting anc
''ahklng as the smaller man strove te
open the door of steel bars and finally
i'fted up his voice.
i can't get in,". he cried to his
Pal. Il can't get in"
Inc other did not turn his head
Ut EN- up, quick" he rasped to The
uazed Peal and pushed the pistol closel
10 him.
Behind Peal sat Albert j. Freeman
'"e assistant paying teller. Moutl
open and eyes popping he saw the hant
we ciutched the gun stiffen and tn,
'''gger finger crook and whiten.
You damned fool, put up you
hands" he screamed to Peal, but it wa,