The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-18
KEPT HIS PROMISE
Minor POffenberger Justifies
Faith Placed in Him by Larimer
Youthful Bandit Lives Up to
"Gentleman's Agreement"
CnMWCIEn NJ RANY RnRRERY
CONVICTED OF BANK ROBBERY
Returned From Texas to Face
Trial in Kansas.
Sheriff Had VOuched for His
Safe Keeping.

After remaining out of Jail for four
months without bond on a gentle
mans agreement with Sheriff Hugh
Larimer that if he were wanted he
would go to Eldorado and face a
charge of bank robbery. Minor Pof-
fenberger, young and handsome To-
pekan; remained true to his word,
went from Texas to Eldorado last
week and was convicted of aiding in
the robberytof the Bartlett. Kan. State
bank. Conviction means a sentence
Of from ten to fifteen years in state
prison.,
From the first Poffehberger main
tanned his innocence. His twin
brother Major CFat) Poffenberger,
arrested several months ago in a hotel
at Lawrence by Sheriff Larimer. con-
fessed to completely in four Kansas
bank robberies and was released on a
$4,000 bond. In his confession. Ma
tor Poffehberger swOre that his twin
brother, Minor, had nothing to do with
the robberies. In a car which Major
Poffenberger had when he was ar
rested. Larimer found a quantity of
baby bonds hidden in a Bible
Minor Poffenberger was arrested
about the same time at Kansas City.
A Packard car he owned was used in
a series of bank robberies in Kansas.
Poffenberger admitted it was his car
but denied knowledge of its being used
III A4AC IODbStltS
Trusted Young Prisoner.
With his brothers confession failing
to implicate him in the robberieS and
with no discriminating evidence, Off
GERS did not feel like arresting Pof-
fenberger. Larimer knew the young
auto mechanic well and when Poffen-
berger told officers at Kansas City that
he would go to Topeka with Larimer
and remain within beck and call of
Ia Tin1ar until nffinorS Cd rI,4
to do with him, Larimer took him at
his word and vouched for his safe
keeping.
Poffenberger came to Topeka. He
kept up the county motor cars and
Larimer permitted him to rent a room
in the city. He won the friendship
! and respect of all court officials and
Newspaper men. Meantime, officers al
the cost of the life of one of theiI
number rounded up a gang of bank
robbers at ST Louis and other towns
all of whom were charged with being
! ilnplica ted in the same robberies il
which the Poffenbergers were said tc
have taken part. s-
One of the bandits arrested is in
| prison now serving sentence for the
murder of the Missouri officer. 9th,
ers are in Jail in Missouri facing tria1
for murder.
| Implicated by One of Gang.
Another bandit named Brown has
been convicted at Eldorado. He i'm.
( plicated Minor Poffenberger in the
| robberies in Kansas. Prior to Browns
confession Minor Poffenberger asked
| Larimer to permit him to leave To
| peka. and go to work. He went tc
| Texas. where he worked as a me-
chanic.
Last week when Brown implicated
Poffen berger. the Eldorado- sheriff
wired to Larimer for him.
Il told. him 1 could go to Texas after
Poffenberger but that I believed the
man would go to Eldorado and face
trial if 1 wrote to him." said Larimer
The Eldorado sheriff told Larimer
to do as he liked. Larimer wrote to
Poffenberger. He received a wire say
ing that the bandit suspect would
leave for Eldorado on the first train
He did.
Robbers Looked Like Twins
Testimony offered at the trial by
persons who witnessed the daring
Bartlett robbery revealed that two
men who looked enough alike to be
twins had participated in the rob-
| berry. Then, there was the testim ony
of Brown. confessed bank robber. The
jury found Poffenberger guilty.
The Poffenberger twins lived in To-
peka for years. Major. the one who
| jumped his bond, was a taxi driver
| Minor was in the army for several
years. Later he went to Kansas City
His brother, Major. was there.
| Minor isn't a criminal at heart
| said Larimer. He just got mixed uI
/ with a bunch and didn't have the viii
power to say no when they started the
| big bunch of bank robberies witt
\ which they are charged"