Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-27
BANDITS LOOT BANK
At SANDY SPRINGS
AND KILL DIRECTOR
Beat, Bind and Lock Officials in
Safe and Get $4,000 in
Cash.
FIVE MEN HOLD UP THE
INSTITUTION IN DAYTIME

Sandy Springs. Md. April 27-A band
of robbers entered the FirstNational Bank
here Mt 3 Is clock yesterday afternoon,
shot and killed Francis NJ. Hallowell,
80 years old, one of the directors, and
J locking the aged president and tour
employees of the institution IN vault,
made their escape with s., 900 In currency.
In addition to killing Mr.. Hallowell, Asa
NJ. Stabler. SO years old, president OF
the bank, was beaten over the head with
the butt of a revolver by one of the
bandits. A deep cash extending from the
crown of his head toward the neck was
+, inflicted.
y Alvin G.. Thonmas, - years old, the
treasurer: Fred c. Thomas, cashier and
secretary. and Francis Miller, the assist
ant cashier, were likewise beaten over
the head.
The money stolen comprised the cash
on hand OF two Institutions which oecu-
pied the same quarters, tho flrst Ma
tional Bank and Savings Institutions, oi
Sandy Springs About $1,000 was taken
from the national bank and about 5000
from the savings bank. Liberty bonds
in the vaults OF the institutions were un-
touched.
Reports of the robbery quickly spread
throughout the country districts and
caused great excitement The crime Is
the latest of a series of robberies OF
which county banking institutions Rave
been victims. County residents IN large
numbers have deposited their Liberty
bonds with the banks for safe keeping
and the thefts are giving them much
concern.
EMPLOYEES of the First National were
bent over their books, closing up the
days business, and did not observe the
men enter.
They first became aware of the rob-
bcrs' presence when. at n sharp COM
mand of ''hands up they found them
selves looking into four revolyers held
bv two of the bandits, behind whom
stood three others.
MIR. Hallowell, who had come to the
bank to confer with the president, at
tempted to rise. He was shot and killed
Instantly.
With their hands up and covered by
the four pistols, MIR. Stabler, a G.
Thomas, T. l.. Thomas, Mr.. Miller, as
sistant cashier, and Miss Sallie 7. Brooks,
a clerk. werS> marched TO a rear room
and tied hand and foot by the other
three robbers.
The bandits then rifed the vaults,
following which they unbound the Off
cials and employees, pushed them into
the larger vault, locked the door and
hurried away.
The five prisoners were confined in the
vault for half an hour.
BY chance another director, Charles I.
Kirk, happened to enter the bank and
finding no one there. began an investi
cation. Near the big vault he heard the
faint cries of those locked inside.
I'm their hastofthe bandits had neglected
to close the inner door of the vault and
those inside managed TO make themselves
heard outside distinctly enough TO call the
summoned help, and working the COM
bination, succeeded In releasing the cap
tives.
The police Of Washington and Balti-
more and in every county of the State
were notified at once.
The keeper of a garage at Highland,
Howard county. reported that a touring
car corresponding TO the description given
had been driven up TO his garage by sew
cral men who purchased gasoline. Half
an hour later came a report from Dayton,
Howard county, that occupants Of what is
believed 10 have been the same car asked
to be directed TO the Frederick Pike
The Washington police reported that
early in the afternoon a big Hudson car
had been seen on one Of the District roads
by traffic policeman. As the car was
exceeding the speed limit, the officer gave
chase on his motorcycle. but was unable
to come up with the big machine which
came into Maryland.
Reports in Ellicott City that the bandits
were headed that way caused considerable
excitement among the residents, but it is
believed they are headed northward for
the PENNSYLVANIA line.
Mr. Hallowell, the director who was
killed. is survived by his widow and
3-year-old son. A. T. Hallow III.
The bank offers a reward OF 5000 for
the arrest OF the bandits.
Director Hallowell. who was killed.
and all the other victims of the burglars
raid. are known In Wilmington, where
they have friends who came from Sandy
Springs. Among the number are Mrs.
Frank A. Taylor of Tenth and Franklin
streets and the Caleb Statlers. who started
for Sandy Springs by automobile as soon
as they heard of the affair.
milk NOT '.MILCH" COWS.