The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1920-11-24
VEGILANTES OUT
IN LINDENHURST
FOR AUTO BANDITS
Citizens too Prove Efficiency
of Shot Gun in Prevent
ing HoldupS.
Especial From STAFF Cor .upoudsnt Of The Eve
ming World

Especial From a STAFF pondsnt Of The Eve
ming WORLDLY
LINDENHURST l.. l., Nov. 24.-lfI
sou have friend in the motor bandit
business tell him to stay out OF Lin
denhurst. A far different reception
awaits him here than the sort usually
accorded gentry Of his like at present
IN New York
For Lindenhurst Is prepared. This
village is not given to boasting, but it
does hereby arise to say that II any OF
those smart fellows who have been
holding up motor parties and others
along the Merrick Road between
Amityville and Babylon and else
where in the vicinity try any OF their
tricks here what happens to them will
be strictly their own fault.
A Vigilante Committee made up of
the leading residents of the village,
bankers, merchants, manufacturers
and professional men, is the agency
which is counted on to doom what has
been one OF the favorite outdoor pas
times in Suffolk County. These men
have already begun to patrol the
streets at night, and when the plan
IS finally perfected the committee will
comprise at least fifty men, split up
into squads Of eight. They will take
turns at the police job and follow the
rules of the United States infantry
for guard duty.
And most OF the men belong to the,
William Tell Rifle Range OF Linden
hurst and are crack shots. Also, most
OF them have hunting licenses or other
permits which authorize them to
carry weapons. And they will tell the
world the shotgun is mighty ef-
hcient weapon.
The plan was evolved at the last
meeting Of the Lindenhurst Board Of
Trade, when leading citizens decided
something must be done to protect the
town. Sheriff Kelly, over in River
head, had said he knew nothing OF
my series Of hold ups. and as Linden
hurst has no police force the citizens
decided to handle things for them
selves.
why" said Adam Muller. who has
a wholesale grocery and cheese estab-
lishment which makes deliveries all
over Long Island, 81 was almost held
up myself just a week or so ago. |
was driving from Islip to Bayshore
1t night when a couple of men in an
automobile pointed revolvers at me
and commanded me to stop. But that
machine
speed and l dashed away from them.
l. stopped when l got into Bayshore
md pretty soon the bandit machine
rolled into sight. When the men in it
saw me, they turned around and
whizzed out of sight. No hold-ups
around here? Huh"
Another member OF the board told
how bandits had put an automobile
across the road as a barricade near
Bayshore, held up the first auto party
that came along and escaped with $50.
Other similar reports piled up.
Then Joseph Warta, who is in the
garage business and also is the town
assessor, sprung his Idea for the Vigi-
lante Committee and 1t made an In
slant hit with every class Of citizen.
Volunteers for service ranged all the
l. way from George Pebler, cashier of
the First National Bank OF Linden
hurst and Charles Weierter part
owner of the Lindenhurst Manufac-
turing Company, which operates b &
button factory, down to day lOborers.
The plan was put into effect at once
and will be extended as the organ
,zation is worked out At present
half dozen men patrol different sec
lions of the village at night, meeting
It certain times and taking turns, so
Jhat some citizen is out with his eyes
Ipen at all hours. They have devised
signal system by which the vOlun-
teer guardians can all get together
Il the first sign OF trouble, and later
t is planned to have fast roadster
with reserve ammunition available
Tor pursuit or reconnaissance when
necessary,
1--WE believe in preventing crime,
-ather than holding futile investiga-
Ions after II has been committed, "
said George Weierter, a prominent
builder Of the village and brother OF
Charles. the manufacturer. ALSO we
believe in publicity. We think If the
crooks learn of the efficient prepare
ions we have made for their recep-
don they will let our village alone"
Among the enthusiasts over the
Vigilante plan are August Volbenauer
president OF the Board of Trade and
\ leading Insurance man or the vii
age; Robert Wild, secretary OF the
Board Of Trade; Harry Stortz, flor
fst and gardener, and George w. Irm-
Isch, who until supplanted in recent
election was the local judge.
Equally hard workers in the pro.
. lection Of the village are John Tan.
rer. retired, a former embroidery
manufacturer; August Hirsch, who
has a factory in the village; William
e. wild, the postmaster; Charles
Wild, Deputy Sheriff Of the village
Lawrence Stikk, an expert maChinist
Jacob Leeman, an embroidery manu-
sacturer: William Rohl, foreman a
The Vulcanite Manufacturing Com
Dany; Rudolph Weser, active in The
civic affairs Of the village, and join
Wiebel.