The sun., 1919-06-14
BANK THIEF COOLEY
TELLS OF KILLING 2
Canadian Swaggers as He Con-
fesses to East Brooklyn
Daylight Holdup.
GOT $45O,0O0 IN 8 YEARS
Handy, 26, Robbed IS Banks,
Two Railroad Offices
Won't Peach on Pal.

Gordon Fawcctt Handy" mysterious
bank robber. who matched his wits for
eight years with those of the worlds
police and did II with amazing success.
was arraigned before County Judge May
in Brooklyn yesterday charged with hav-
ing shot and killed Henry w. coons, as
sistant treasurer. and De witt c. Peal.
paying teller Of the East Brooklyn Saw
ings Bank December Is. 1918. Handy
and his partner. who IL sim at liberty,
took $4,000 after the shooting and es-
capped.
Handy was perhaps the coolest Of the
group Of men that stood before Judge
May. despite the fact that only an hour
before he had signed confession ad-
uniting fully that he had shot the two
men. He made the formal plea Of mot
guilty" as Is the rule in murder cases.
and June 20 was named as the day Of
the trial Handy gaxed cynically about
him at the absorbed audience.
Have you lawyerr asked Judge
May.
Not at present." was the reply. He
added that he expected to have one Mon
day, but when Judge May spoke OF as
signing counsel for him he shook his
head affirmatively.
Yes. that might be best
Cultured CoiIegian ana Robber.
Cultured and refined and a collage
man, the prisoner has thrown a veil over
his past life and history. The police
Know that In the last eight years--he is
only 26 now-he had looted thirteen
banks and two railroad Offices and made
on with $460.000.
What have you got TO show for II
air. he was asked.
Well nothing. yet-rve got some
good friends"
The East Brooklyn Savings Bank hold
up was the result Of careful calculation
on his part, he said. He had been in
Brooklyn some months before the fate
ful December Is and made a casual visit
70 the bank to change some bills. He
was struck with the banks possibilities
as money producer. 1t would be an
easy Job" because from vantage point.
say near the door. he could command a
complete view OF the entire bank. No
one could approach him from the rear.
Soon after his accommodating Handy
sailed for France as an ablebodied sea-
man on an oil tanker. but q picture of
the East Brooklyn Savings Bank re-
manned wildly in his mind He was in
France when the armisuce was signed.
On his return here he paid another visit
to the bank with torn bill and obtained
a new one for IT. Again Handy studied
the bank layout and departed. Then
he got partner. an assistant. and made
tho raid that startled Brooklyn as have
few crimes in Its history.
who was your pair
Il won't discuss him. said HANDY
with frown, except TO say he didn'
fellow out my orders and made a bum
job Of that robbery. ordered him 10
go over the top (climb over the bank
railing). but instead he went around tc
| the back. You see he was only a petty
larceny thief and not accustomed to a
Ave figure job"
Resents Being Called n Burglar.
II was never mixed up In anything but
five figure Job In my life. as that tern
is understood in the underworld" hi
| said. To be referred to as burglar
| removed from that of the lowly bur
glar'' or "stickup" man.
why did you kill the paying teller p
HE wouldn't obey my orders"
| why did you Kill the other mani p
He seemed TO be going to srapplt
with my pal and ordered him TO throw
up his hands He didn't seem inclined ts
do so and shot him"
Two women were fiattened against IN,
wall In terror during the robbery. Ham
by walked over to them
Now you're all right" he assured
them. you're safer here than outside
We're simply executing a little movi,
picture stunt
A dramatic moment came when Pete,
Bollinger. owner OF a small hotel or
Nassau avenue, Greenpoint, entered IN,
District Attorneys ONCE. Two men. be
lieved to have been the bank bandits
stayed in his hotel on the night of tn,
holdup when Brooklyn was seething with
excitement No sooner did Bollinoe,
see Handy than he recognized him
Handy looked at him, then again. and
finally admitted he had stopped at tn,
little hotel.
! After staying a week in New York
having already got rid OF his partner
! Handy started for the West with a girl
! They posed as newly married couple
she artlessly happy to be with a MAJ
who spent money 20 readily.
| ION the way TO the coast" sal,
Handy. II pulled off another Job so tina
when ! got TO Tacoma I had nearl,
$4,000" He smiled. IT haven't got !
cent left. You know I've been somethin,
Of a spendthrift."
Now. Handy" remarked Mr.. Lewis
would you like to tell US your story II
your own way. I warn you that what
ever you say win be used against you"
well, I expect that. am not uset
\ to public speaking. You KNOWN,
staggered bit act. don't talk,
However, he dictated his confession I,
stenographer and then read II ant
signed 1t with firm hand.
HIS First Time I'm jail.
| Handy has robbed banks all over IN,
world, and never had been In JAN unit
March. Mr.. Lewis referred 10 the tril
Handy made to Europe Just before loot
ing the East Brooklyn Savings BanA
why did you go TO Europe?" Mr.
Lewis asked.
well. when you get money In thi
country it Is wise to spend 1t abroad
and when you get 1t abroad It Is wise L
spend II in this country"
| He refused to speak OF his family
what name am booked underg' h
asked suddenly.
| Handy"
"Oh. well. thatll do; but II isn't m,
name Neither one OF the others is m,
name, either" Handy Is known also a
]. b. Allen and Boyd Browning. IL
would not say mere. He was born II
! Alberta Province. Canada.
! Handy was arrested for the first tim
I In his life in March in Tacoma, Wash.