Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-08-03
Had Gone to Gilman With Marshal
Thompson, Of Toledo, TO Join In
Search for Auto Thieves-Death
Almost ntansous-Search for
Thieves Without Success.


and a. the former was stepping from
his automobile.
Just how the gun was discharsed
Is not known but 1t is believed the
revolver. Of .3s caliber, fell from
Martins holster or from his hand
and was accidentally discharged.
The holster worn by Martin was too
small for the gun and he had mem
toned the fact to Thompson during
their ride to Gilman. Thompson left
the car first and had walked to the
sidewalk ON tho south side Of the
Farmers State Bank. He heard .
shot and turning saw Martin stag
ser.
Are you shot, Nat7." he cried.
yes" answered Martin, who fell
to the ground. Death was almost In
Simultaneous. Tho ball passed thru
Martins right arm and thru his
body.
Summoned by Gilman Folk.
The Tama county officers had
been summoned by residents Of Gil
man to assist in tho pursuit OF the
thieves. Sheriff Peterman. who was
called. was out Of town and his
deputy. with the marshal. responded.
Not knowing the scene OF the man
hunt they had driven to Gilman for
direction,
The tragedy was. witnessed from
the bank window by Mrs. ]. A. Small.
wife OF the cashier. Neither sho nor
Thompson could tell whether the gun
fell from Maritime holster as he left
the car. or dropped from his hand.
It 10 possible, In the opinion of the
marshal, that Martin may have re-
moved the gun from the holster and
It was knocked from his hand as he
stepped from tho car.
Body Taken 20 Toledo.
Tho body was taksn TO Toledo
Monday night after 1t had been de-
cided by Coroner e. NJ. Singleton
that an inquest was not necessary.
At Toledo today It was said no ar
rangements he'd been made for the
funeral.
Mr.. Martin was about so years OF
ago. and for many years was en-
gagged In farming southwest Of Traer.
He moved to Toledo when he was
appointed deputy By Sheriff Peter
man. He Ii survived by 4 wife ana
several children. Two brothers,
Thomas and Samuel Martin, promo
nsnt farmers residing south Of
Traer. also survive.
Man Hunt Unsuccessful.
The search for the bandits con-
tinued until far into the night but
proved unsuccessful. The search
was abandoned after q forty acre
corn field about Eve miles east Of
Gilman had been searched with the
aid Of auto headlights.
After having bound Gerke and left
him at the roadside, Monday fore
noon. tho two mon circled about
Gilman and twice entered the town.
coming from tho east. The second
time they drove to the main street
and parked tho car As they left the
automobile one was heard to say to
his companion, Let the motor run"
Meanwhile word had reached Gil
man Of the theft Of the car and q
Gilman resident passing the ma
chino and hearing the engine run
ming suspected that It might be the
stolen car. He asked q garage man
Il he should not remove the key
from the car but was advised 10
walt until he had more positive proof
that the car was stolen.
Believed Bank Robbery Planned.
Business men Of Gilman believe
the young men planned to rob the
Citizens Savings Bank, and their
actions while in the town gave colc~
to this theory Persons who saw
the boys Monday forenoon declare
the same pair was In Gilman in g
taxi Sunday evening.
From the Auto Sales Company 1t
was learned, however. that no taxi
from that service had made trip to
Gilman Sunday.
H. D. Stewart, "a Gilman garage
proprietor, suspecting the boys Of
having stolen the car, followed them
Monday morning. The youths went
to the Citizens bank, looked in the
window. and paced up and down the
street in front Of the building for a
few minutes. One carried a paper
parcel under his arm, from which a
portion OF gunny sack protruded
from broken end. Stewart passed
the men and entered the bank, and
the youths Immediately crossed the
street and went into a drug store.
They looked from the window Of the
drug. store for a few moments and
left, but did not make a purchase.
Prepare for Pursuit.
Aroused. by the peculiar actions Of
the boys, citizens were preparing to
80 into action and when they came
from the drug store Floyd Stansberry
and Fred Weaver entered high
power car preparatory to following
the two.
The car robbers haAtened to their
car, Jumped In and took southerly
direction for two blocks. then turned
to the east. Stansberry and Weaver
followed.
A sharp pursuit followed for three
miles. when suddenly the car thieves
abandoned their car and took to q
corn field. In, crawling thru the fence
the coat Of one OF the men caught on
the wire. but he deliberately stopped