The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-06
TOPEKkN IN GANG
Major POffenberger Caught in
Bank RObber Roundup.
He Was Formerly a Taxi Driver
in This City.
NET IS DRAWING TIGHTER
Men Thought To Have Had
Hand in Newton Haul.
Many Kansas Bankers VIII Try
To Identify Them.

Men arrested in Kansas City as KAN
sas bank robbery suspects may have
been implicated in the big $4,000
robbery at Newton August II. Evil
dence which is believed to directly
connect the men with the robbery at
Baileyville, Nemaha county, early this
week. has been found. Major Poffen-
berger, well known to Topeka police
is said to be held in connection with
hold-ups and may have driven the au-
tomobile for men who robbed the
Newton bank
Walter z. Wilson. state bank COM
missioner. who returned to Topeka to-
day from Kansas City, said he believed
evidence had been procured which
might lead to further arrests. Just
one thing threatens prosecution of the
men for bank robberies in this state,
That is the possible death of two po-
licemen who were shot by the alleged
robbers. In event the policemen die,
the men will be tried in Missouri on
murder charges.
Greed Got Them.
1t was the wild desire of the men to
take everything in sight that resulted
in their arrest, Wilson stated. He said
the men had stopped to rob a gam
bling game when the police found
them. One man was left with the
automobile. another stood at the foot
of flight of stairs, while a third man
went to rob the gamblers.
I'VE have found $4,000 worth of
liberty bonds in an envelope bearing
the Baileyville bank return" said
Wilson. 1T is quite certain we can
connect the men with the Baileyville
robbery and may be able to secure evi-
dence against them in connection with
the Newton robbery. 1 believe we are
on the right trail and that other ar
rests will follow"
Liberty bonds found in possession
| of the men were far in excess of the
! Baileyville bank losses. The Newton
bank, tho, lost $4,000 OF this $40.-
| 600 was in cash. while the balance
was in bonds. 1t is believed that some
of the bonds found in the Kansas City
! raid may have been taken from the
Newton bank.
Many To Identify Him.
Numerous Kansas bankers will at
| tempt Identification of the men. Two
of the alleged robbers are in hospitals
| suffering from wounds received in the
! fight with police.
| Poffenberger. who is said to be un-
der arrest in Kansas City, is Topeka
man. 1t is the belief of officials that
| the man drove the car in which rob-
bers escaped after the Newton holdup.
Major Poffenberger was arrested at
Dodge City in June in company with
| Richard Hopkins. At the time of
| their arrest they were driving a Buick
car owned by S. ]. Hodgins, and stolen
from his garage, PIG Tyler street, To-
poke. Sheriff Hugh Larimer went to
| Dodge City after them and they were
! brought back and arraigned in court OF
| Topeka on charge of stealing car and
pleaded not guilty and released on
$4,000 bond, each. given by Kansas
Casualty and Surety company. Their
preliminary has been postponed by re-
quest of Wichita attorney from one
date to another all during the sum-
mer. Court records show latest date
set for preliminary is Sept. 8. Poffen-
| berger, Barimer says, was a taxi cab
driver around Topeka for several years
and was better known as Fat" Pof-
/ fenherEer.